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Saturday 27 December 2014

Aus v Ind (3rd Test Match, Nagpur, 2004)

Venue: VCA Stadium, Nagpur

History made!! Australia win a test series in India after 35 years!
Magnificent achievement by the men in baggy green in 2004.

1-0 up in the series and a miraculous escape at Chennai ensured Australia could go all out for a win in this match and win the #FinalFrontier (famous comments by Steve Waugh)

Winning the toss and electing to bat first, the Aussies scored 398 thanks a super hundred from #DamienMartyn, their saviour hero from Chennai in the previous test match. He was ably supported by Clarke (91) and Lehmann (70).


When India batted, it went downhill for them right from the start. #JasonGillespie's 5-for with support from #Mcgrath and #Warne ensured Australia gained a very big 200+ lead in the first innings.

Not enforcing a follow-on (still healing their wounds from the Kolkata classic of 2001), Aussies decided to bat a second time and quickly put on 329/5 on board before declaring. Once again it was Martyn along with #Katich and #Clarke that scored bulk of the runs.

Chasing 500+, India faltered yet again and were skittled out for 200. Jason Gillespie, once gain, the tormentor in chief. A massive win by 342 runs. Certainly not a classic by cricketing standards but the occasion of winning a the final frontier after 35 years made this occasion very special and emotional for the Aussies.

Very rightly, #Gilchrist (the stand-in captain for injured Ponting) dedicated this victory to #Tugga (Steve Waugh's pet name) who gave Aussies that vision and drive to win in India (until few years before that series in the sub-continents were not taken seriously and they used to be number fillers).

The India-Australia rivalry changed all that .... forever!!!

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