3 significant achievements by the Indian team under Greg Chappell's tenure as coach

Greg Chappell was appointed as the coach of the Indian Cricket team in the year 2005, after John Wright opted not to renew his term. The Australian was selected as the coach by the BCCI over highly reputed contenders such as Dav Whatmore, John Emburey, Desmond Haynes and Tom Moody.

Chappell's first assignment as coach was the ODI tri-series between hosts Sri Lanka, India and West Indies. Rahul Dravid was the captain for the series as Sourav Ganguly faced a four match ban due to slow over-rate in the previously concluded ODI series against Pakistan at home, that India lost 4-2.

India had moderate success in the tri-series and despite losing the finals against Sri Lanka, Greg Chappell unearthed a few new talents such as Suresh Raina and Venugopal Rao.

However, as time passed by, things started to take an ugly turn as a difference of opinions took place between the coach and few of the members of the team as the players couldn't get accustomed to Greg's coaching style.

Greg Chappell's term as coach ended after India were knocked out of the 2007 ICC World Cup in the group stages, but despite having an unsuccessful term as coach, there were a few achievements by the team that went unnoticed.

So, here we look at 3 major achievements by the Indian team under Greg Chappell's tenure:

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#1 Test Series win in West Indies after 35 years in 2006

India won a test series in West Indies after 35 years

Team India, under the leadership of Rahul Dravid, toured the West Indies in 2006 for a 5 match ODI series followed by 4 test matches. India lost the ODI series 4-1 and the odds were against them going into the test series.

The Indian team were without the services of Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar, and it was a squad with majority of players who were on their first tour to West Indies.

The first three tests ended up being drawn. Jamaica was the venue for the 4th test and India won the toss and elected to bat first. After being dismissed for 200 in their 1st Innings, the bowlers stepped up to the occasion and bundled out the West Indies for a paltry score of 103. Harbhajan Singh was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 5/13 in just 4.3 overs.

In the 2nd innings, India were bowled out for 171 and gave West Indies a target of 269 to win the match, and the series, but West Indies kept losing wickets at regular intervals and were dismissed for 219. Anil Kumble picked up 6-78 in the second innings and India won the match by 49 runs.

With this victory, India not only won the test series but ended a drought of 35 years of not winning a test series in the Caribbean.

#2 4-1 ODI series win in Pakistan in 2006

India thoroughly dominated Pakistan in the ODI series

India toured Pakistan for a 3-match test series followed by a 5-match ODI series in early January of 2006. India lost the test series 1-0 to Pakistan after the hosts clinched the 3rd test at Karachi. Sourav Ganguly was once again at the receiving end as he was then omitted from the upcoming ODIs.

The 5 match ODI series began with the 1st ODI being played at Peshawar. Pakistan won the 1st match by the Duckworth-Lewis method in a rain-curtailed encounter.

However, things took a turn from the 2nd ODI as India's strong batting came to the fore. India chased a stiff target of 266 in just 43.1 overs as Yuvraj Singh led the way with a brilliant unbeaten 82.

Similar story repeated in the 3rd ODI as India once again chased a target of 289 and this time it was Sachin Tendulkar, who scored a brilliant 95 off 104 balls to clinch the win for the team.

In the 4th ODI at Multan, it was the bowlers who stepped up this time, dismissing Pakistan for only 161 and India chased down the target easily with 5 wickets to spare.

In the final ODI at Karachi, India were again chasing a daunting score of 287. However, Yuvraj Singh and M.S Dhoni made a mockery of the total as India chased it down with 8 wickets to spare. Yuvraj Singh scored a stroke-filled 107* and was adjudged the Man of the Series.

This was regarded as one of the most dominating performances by team India under the leadership of Rahul Dravid and coach Greg Chappell.

#1 First ever Test win in South Africa in 2006/07

India won their 1st ever test match in South Africa in 2006

India toured South Africa in late 2006 for a 5 match ODI series followed by 1 T20I and 3 Test matches. India lost the 5 match ODI series 4-0 with 1 game being washed-out.

The morale of the team was down and so the Indian selectors decided to call up Sourav Ganguly for the test series.

The venue for the 1st test was Johannesburg and a green pitch awaited India. Electing to bat first, India found themselves in trouble at 6-167. Then, Sourav Ganguly stepped up to the occasion and scored a patient 51, which helped India reach a respectable total of 249.

In reply, Indian bowlers made full use of the swinging conditions and bundled out the South Africans for a very low total of 84. Sreesanth showcased his brilliant talent of swing bowling and picked up a career-best figures of 5/40.

India resumed the second innings with a lead of 165 and ended the innings with 236 runs on the board, giving South Africa a target of 402.

Despite some resistance from Ashwell Prince with the bat, who scored 97, South Africa were never in the chase and were bowled out for 278. Zaheer Khan, Sreesanth and Anil Kumble picked up 3 wickets each and for his excellent bowling efforts throughout the match, Sreesanth was adjudged the Man of the Match.

India won the test by 123 runs and it was India's first ever test win in South Africa. Although India lost the remaining 2 test matches, that win at Johannesburg will always be special and will go down as a special achievement under the leadership of Greg Chappell.