Ind v Aus (3rd Test Match, SCG, 1991-92)

Test Match Cricket Series 1991-1992
Venue: Sydney Cricket Ground, Sydney

Trailing 0-2, the Indians were under immense pressure to redeem themselves (they lost at the #Gabba by 10 wickets and then at #MCG by 8 wickets).

They won the toss to begin with and put Australia in.
It was a surprising move, and it seemed liked backfiring with #DavidBoon and #MarkTaylor going smoothly but as wickets began to fall the trio of #KapilDev, #ManojPrabhakar and #SubrotoBanerjee ensured Australia didn't runaway with a huge total. They were bowled out for 313. Boon scored a fluent 129, while the three fast bowlers snapped 3 wickets each.

India started their innings shakily but through brilliant centuries from #RaviShastri (206) and #SachinTendulkar (148), they amassed a good score of 483. The #wonderboy had arrived on world stage and his honeymoon with the #SCG was about to become legendary in the years to come!

A lot of Day 3 was washed out due to rain. When India's first innings closed on Day 4, they had a sizable lead of 170 but did they have enough time and good weather to push for a win?

With commentators and experts clearly stating a draw as the only result possible, things began happening at the SCG on Day 5. All Indian bowlers spun a web around the Aussie batsmen collectively. Suddenly, the Aussues were looking down the barrel at 6-114 (56 runs adrift on the first innings and only the bowlers to come)

This is when captain courageous #AllanBorder took over. He steadily marshalled the tail and started working out towards a respectable draw. More rain meant India's push for victory was being thwarted.

Late wickets in the day made the situation further exciting. Indian's threw everything they had at Border and his tail but they survived .. albeit the weather helped Australia immensely. Border saved the game for them. India felt dejected coming so close to beating the Aussies by an innings!
A great game indeed...

Watch stunning highlights Sachin's century from this awesome test match here

 

Aus v Ind (2nd Test Match, Sydney, 2008)

From the most memorable game of cricket to the most disgraceful one. This one comes from Sydney 2008.

The much vaunted series of 2007-2008 started off with Australia steamrolling India at #MCG easily and going 1-0 up in the series. The teams then met in the #NewYearsTestMatch at Sydney. India had a point to prove to beat Australia on their home soil and restore parity in the series.

What transpired over the next five days was embarrassing, ugly and disgraceful between the two teams including
 - The Symonds-Harbhajan #Monkeygate episode
 - The Benson-Bucknor umpiring on Day 5
 - The aftermath of the cricket test where India planned to boycott remainder of the series
 - The court trials on Monkeygate episode ... ouch! are we talking #cricket here?

What all this also did was overshadow some scintillating performances in the game from both sides
 - Symonds' matchwinning scores (163 and 61). He was MOM.
 - Superb hundreds from Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman in first innings
 - Maginificent hundreds from Matt Hayden and Mike Hussey in second innings
 - Sterling bowling efforts by Anil Kumble and Brett Lee in both innings
 - Michael Clarke's 3 wicket burst in one over to win the match
 - Anil Kumble' valiant batting vigil worthy of an army general defending his national pride.
 - This was Australia's 16th consecutive win (a record they equalled with Steve Waugh's side from few years ago)

Having seen everything unfold on that fateful 5th day, it was a game for India to draw and move ahead. Instead they succumbed to pressure and yes the umpires! The Aussies didn't show sportsmanship by not shaking hands with Indians after the game, Indians purposely passed time to draw the game which they couldn't save eventually. All love lost. Sadly the game of cricket lost that day!

Here are highlights of Day 5 of that test match

Would test match cricket be ever the same after this test match?

Aus v Ind (2nd Test Match, Sydney, 2008)

Venue: SCG, Sydney

From the most memorable game of cricket to the most disgraceful one. This one comes from Sydney 2008.

The much vaunted series of 2007-2008 started off with Australia steamrolling India at #MCG easily and going 1-0 up in the series. The teams then met in the #NewYearsTestMatch at Sydney. India had a point to prove to beat Australia on their home soil and restore parity in the series.

What transpired over the next five days was embarrassing, ugly and disgraceful between the two teams including
 - The Symonds-Harbhajan #Monkeygate episode
 - The Benson-Bucknor umpiring on Day 5
 - The aftermath of the cricket test where India planned to boycott remainder of the series
 - The court trials on Monkeygate episode ... ouch! are we talking #cricket here?

What all this also did was overshadow some scintillating performances in the game from both sides
 - Symonds' matchwinning scores (163 and 61). He was MOM.
 - Superb hundreds from Sachin Tendulkar and VVS Laxman in first innings
 - Maginificent hundreds from Matt Hayden and Mike Hussey in second innings
 - Sterling bowling efforts by Anil Kumble and Brett Lee in both innings
 - Michael Clarke's 3 wicket burst in one over to win the match
 - Anil Kumble' valiant batting vigil worthy of an army general defending his national pride.
 - This was Australia's 16th consecutive win (a record they equalled with Steve Waugh's side from few years ago)

Having seen everything unfold on that fateful 5th day, it was a game for India to draw and move ahead. Instead they succumbed to pressure and yes the umpires! The Aussies didn't show sportsmanship by not shaking hands with Indians after the game, Indians purposely passed time to draw the game which they couldn't save eventually. All love lost. Sadly the game of cricket lost that day!

Here are highlights of Day 5 of that test match

Would test match cricket be ever the same after this one?