IND vs AUS: 'Historic Breakthrough, Narrow Miss, Night of Infamy', Relive all Seven Adelaide Battles in BGT

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IND vs AUS: The Adelaide Oval has been the stage for some of the most memorable clashes in the India-Australia cricket rivalry. It is a venue that has witnessed dramatic twists, monumental performances and a few heartbreaks in the cricketing rivalry between the two cricketing giants.

Over seven meetings at this iconic venue as part of the BGT, the fortunes of both teams have oscillated, with majority of the victories inclining more towards the Aussies. Despite India being on the receiving end in most of the encounters, they managed to come out on top on a couple of occasions.

In this listicle, let's delve into all seven meetings between India and Australia at the Adelaide Oval.

1. Australia Crush India by 285 Runs at Adelaide in 1999

During India's tour of Australia in 1989, the Adelaide Oval witnessed a sheer one-sided result, as the hosts won by a colossal margin of 285 runs. The visitors failed to withstand the home side’s relentless pressure across all departments. Australia began strongly, amassing 441 in their first innings.

Steve Waugh’s composed 150 and Ricky Ponting’s stylish 125 formed the backbone of the innings. Venkatesh Prasad was the standout bowler for India, picking up 3 wickets amidst the Australian onslaught. In reply, India managed 285, with Sachin Tendulkar and Sourav Ganguly leading the resistance with scores of 61 and 60.

Shane Warne, who claimed 4 wickets, kept Australia firmly in control. Australia’s second innings saw them declare at 239/8, with Greg Blewett contributing a solid 88. Javagal Srinath and Ajit Agarkar shared the bowling honors for India, taking 3 wickets apiece.

Chasing 396, India failed miserably as they were bowled out for 110. Sourav Ganguly’s 43 was the only notable resistance in a dismal batting performance. Damien Fleming, who had already troubled India with 3 wickets in the first innings, wreaked havoc with a 5-wicket haul in the second, ensuring Australia’s emphatic victory. Steve Waugh was named the Player of the Match.

2. The Historic Breakthrough for India in 2003

In the BGT history, India notched up their maiden victory at Adelaide in style during the 2003 series. The hosts dominated early in the first innings, amassing a mammoth 556, thanks to Ricky Ponting's masterclass of 242. Anil Kumble toiled hard and picked up 5 wickets amidst the onslaught.

On the other hand, India put up a superb fight in the first innings, thanks to Rahul Dravid’s imperious 233 and VVS Laxman's elegant 148. Their 523-run effort kept the battle alive. Australia's Andy Bichel bagged four scalps in the first innings.

In the decisive moment, Australia faltered in their second innings, managing only 196, courtesy of Ajit Agarkar's world-class bowling spell as he took six wickets. Chasing 230, Rahul Dravid stood tall as he scored an unbeaten 72 anchored India to a remarkable 4-wicket victory, in what was one of India’s finest wins on Australian soil.

3. 2008: A Gritty Draw

The 2008 clash witnessed high-caliber cricket between Australia and India before it culminated in a stalemate, in what was the only draw at this venue in the BGT. Sachin Tendulkar scored a majestic 153 whereas Anil Kumble pitched in with 87. The duo's efforts powered India to a commanding 526.

Mitchell Johnson impressed with 4 wickets. The Aussies replied with a towering 563, courtesy of centuries from Matthew Hayden (103), Ricky Ponting (140), and Michael Clarke (118). Irfan Pathan and Ishant Sharma claimed three wickets each. On the other hand, Virender Sehwag's sparkling 151 propelled India to 269/7 (declared). The contest, however, ended in a hard-fought draw.

4. Australia's Domination in 2012

Australia unleashed their dominance by handing India a crushing defeat at home. Talking about Australia's first innings, double centuries from Ricky Ponting and Michael Clarke powered the hosts to a formidable 604/7 (declared).

Virat Kohli scored a valiant 116 as India were folded for 272, with Peter Siddle claiming 5 wickets. Aussies declared the second innings at 167/5 and set India an improbable target of 500. On the other hand, Team India were capitulated for 201 and Virender Sehwag offered the lone resistance with 62.

Nathan Lyon was the pick of the bowlers for Australia in the second innings as he accounted for 4 dismissals as Australia secured an emphatic 298-run win.

5. A Narrow Miss for India in 2014

This nail-biter saw India fall agonizingly short of a famous win. Steve Smith, who has given the Indians a run for their money with quality batting, turned up the ante once again by scoring an unbeaten 162 which powered Australia to 517/7 (declared).

Aussies also benefitted solid contributions from Michael Clarke (128) and David Warner (145). Virat Kohli stepped up and pitched in with 115 whereas Ajinkya Rahane scored 62 as India posted commendable 444. Australia's Nathan Lyon's fifer kept the Aussies in command.

The hosts declared the second innings at 290/5, courtesy of David Warner's century and set up a target of 364. In reply, India’s valiant effort went in vain as Aussies won by 48 runs. Virat Kohli's sensational 141 and Murali Vijay’s 99 nearly helped India pulled off a historic win. However, Lyon’s 7 wickets thwarted their charge.

6. Cheteshwar Pujara's dominance in 2018

India scripted a memorable victory, which was their second win at Adelaide, during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. It wouldn't have been possible without Cheteshwar Pujara's grit and determination. The Rajkot-born scored a gritty 123 in the first innings, which anchored India to 250.

Josh Hazlewood scalped three key wickets. Australia managed 235, with Travis Head top-scoring with 72. Ravichandran Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah combined for critical breakthroughs by taking 3 wickets each.

India posted 307 in the second innings, thanks to vital contributions from Pujara (71) and Ajinkya Rahane (70), which helped the visitors set a stiff target of 323. Nathan Lyon bagged 6 wickets in a valiant effort. It was a super tight finish to the game as Australia faltered at 291 despite some resistance, as India secured a thrilling 31-run win.

7. The Night of Infamy in 2020 (pink-ball Test)

India suffered a harrowing collapse in their first-ever pink-ball Test at Adelaide. Virat Kohli’s composed 74 anchored India’s 244 in the first innings. Mitchell Starc shone with 4 wickets. Tim Paine’s unbeaten 73 helped Australia to 191, with Ravichandran Ashwin taking 4 wickets.

India ran through a nightmare session in the second innings as they crumbled before they were bundled out for a historic low of 36. Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins dismantled the batting lineup by taking five and four wickets respectively.

Team India set a modest target of 90 and in reply, Aussies strolled to an 8-wicket win as they sealed the pink-ball Test in dramatic fashion.