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A TOUGH SERIES
India - Australia series were always a joy to watch. It is because of the class of the two teams - the world cup winners and the finalists. The last series in Australia was the most memorable one for all cricket fans because of the long awaited victory of India in Australia and the biding of farewell to one class player and captain, Steve Waugh.
The test series ended in a draw ie 1-1, but I have to say that the Indians should be more proud about it as they were the under dogs in the series and they managed to get a victory and change the history. When we look at the last drawn test match too, Indians surely had a definite advantage over the Aussies before the time ran out for the visitors.
When Saurav Ganguly recieved the Gavaskar - Borders trophy, some may have been wondering - how the Indians manged to retain the trophy? The Australian unbeaten run in their hme land thus finallly came to an end. Indians have got something to be proud of.
DOWN UNDER DREAM
Long before the Indians travelled to Australia, the ’kill’ that is going to happen in Australia were the main subject for talks among the cricket fans. They may have thought that this one is going to be just a repeat of the India’s visit to Newzealand were batting collapses were frequent. All were wondering whether India can make atleast one test a draw. The ghost of the last series in Australia and the world cup finals may have made them think like this.
The only thing the Indians had to cheer about is their victory over the world champions in India. But the Aussies surely seemed to have expected a performance like this. The first test draw seemed to be a result of luck for the critics and even the century by Saurav Ganguly seemed to be nothing for them.
THE TEAM INDIA
Saurav had been a perfect captain in the series. He gave some good batting performances and made some impotant decisions including the opening of the bowling attack with Irfan Pathan. The whole Indian team were behind him and they did what their captain expected. Saurav was able to provide the chances for each and every player which they used effectively.
VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid were in high form and Sachin Tendulkar regained his touch when the circumstances demanded from him. Ajit Agarkar and Anil Kumble who got lots of criticisms played their parts in the Indian victory. Virender Shewag was more than a power hitter of the ball, he had some unusual control in his shots. Only the tail failed to score.
GOOD BYE STEVE!
The series saw the retirements of one of the best captains and a valuable player in the cricket history when the elder of the Waugh brothers, Steve Waugh, the Aussie captain stepped down as a captain as well as cricketer. The farewell given to the player was worth watching as he was a class act. The Australian cricket board must think whether they have given this player enough importance. He was once dropped from the team and was never called back to the One Day side.
He will ever be remembered as a legendary captain in the cricket history. He had an attitude which never had a place for defeat - the attitude which brought the Aussies the 1999 world cup and a series of wins in the way. The tournament just got better with the final presence of Steve Waugh. Good bye Steve!
THE SCORES
1st Test - Australia - 323 & 284/3, India - 409 & 73/2 (DRAW)
2nd test - Australia - 556 & 196, India - 523 & 233/6 (INDIA WIN BY 4 WKTS)
3rd test - India - 366 & 286, Australia - 558 & 97/1 (AUSTRALIA WIN BY 9 WKTS)
4th test - India 705/7 & 211/2, Australia - 474 & 357/6 (DRAW)
THE BOTTOM LINE
What the Indians got from this series is a considerable amount of confidence which may help them in their way. There was inprovement in all fields for India. Almost all got their form back and the tour will be an everlasting experience in every Indian player’s as well as the fans’ minds. The history will remind this tour for ever.....as this was one hell of a tournament.....keep going India and Australia.....I’m waiting for the next tournament these teams are going to clash.....it is going to be in India.....whats going to happen.....it is going to more rocking! shocking!
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