5 memorable Test matches involving India

#2 India tour of Australia, 2nd Test: Australia v India at Adelaide, Dec 12-16, 2003

The heroes of the match – Rahul Dravid and Ajit Agarkar

India registered a remarkable victory over the mighty Australian team in the 2^nd test match of the 4 match series played down under in 2003-04. The ghosts of 2001 came back to haunt Australia as Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman once again made an unimaginable victory look easy for India with their brilliant batting performances.

Not often does a team lose a test match after scoring 500 plus in the first innings, but that's just what happened to Australia at Adelaide. Vice-Captain Rahul Dravid led the way with a brilliant double century in the first innings and a poised 72 not out in the second innings. The match will also be remembered for Ajit Agarkar’s magical spell in the 2^nd innings which led the way for India’s victory.

After losing the first game, Australia were keen to bounce right back, and they started off on the right track after scoring a majestic total of 556 in the first innings. Their innings was led by an amazing double century by captain Ricky Ponting. Anil Kumble was the pick of the Indian bowlers as he bagged 5 wickets.

The Indian team was struggling at one point in the first innings at 85-4 but were once again revived by the magic of the deadly duo of VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid as they put on a 303 run stand.

Dravid continued to fight on after the departure of Laxman and was unbeaten at 233 as India were bowled out for 523, trailing Australia by just 33 runs.

What followed next, in the 2^nd innings was pure magic by Ajit Agarkar. He ripped through the Australian batting line-up with figures of 6-41, which led to Australia being bowled out for 196, thus setting up a target of 230 runs for India to achieve.

India eventually held their nerve to win the match by 6 wickets, led once again by Dravid’s unbeaten 72, along with useful contributions by Virender Sehwag and VVS Laxman. It was a fitting finish as Ajit Agarkar was at the crease, along with Rahul Dravid when the winning runs were hit.

Result : Australia 556 (Ricky Ponting 242, Anil Kumble 5/154) and 196 (Matthew Hayden 99, Ajit Agarkar 6/41) lost to India 523 (Rahul Dravid 233, Andy Bichel 4/118) and 233/6 (Rahul Dravid 72*, Katich 1/22)