India's squad when Australia last beat them at home in 2004

Openers

The Sehwag-Gambhir duo was formed during the Australian series

Aakash Chopra

At that stage, India were producing a whole number of openers in the classical mould who could absorb the pressure and spend valuable time at the crease facing the new ball. Aakash Chopra was typically one of those cricketers.

Having fought hard for his place in the team, he was the recognized opener when the Aussies visited India. A poor run in the home series and the availability of other game-changers, like Yuvraj Singh, who opened in one Test in this series meant Aakash Chopra was relegated to the role of a squad player.

He recorded scores of 0, 5, 9 and 1 in the series at Bangalore and Nagpur. The Nagpur Test was the last time he represented India.

---

Gautam Gambhir

Supremely talented left-handed batsman Gautam Gambhir was one who was destined for success and was handed his chance to impress against the Aussies as he made his debut as a young 23-year-old.

In his debut match in Mumbai, he only managed to score 3 and 1 but his next outing, against South Africa, he scored an impressive 96 and it proved enough to convince the selectors to persist with him in Test cricket.

---

Virender Sehwag

Plagued with inconsistency in limited-overs cricket, Delhi dasher Virender Sehwag made an instant impact in Test cricket when he scored a century on debut away in South Africa. Sourav Ganguly convinced him to open the batting, a decision that would change his life and lead him to become one of the most destructive batsmen in Test cricket history.

When Australia toured India in 2004, he was one of the more successful batsmen for the hosts and had a fine series including a scintillating 155 in the drawn Test in Chennai. The Mumbai Test was the first time Indian fans were treated to the Sehwag-Gambhir partnership which would go on to lead India to many successes.