In our build up to the much-awaited India-Australia series, which kicks off on February 22, we look back at all the clashes between the two competitive sides since the trophy was initiated in the name of two legends from the respective countries.
1996: The inaugural Border-Gavaskar Trophy
The first ever series between the two sides kicked off with a one-off Test at the Feroz Shah Kotla, Delhi in October 1996. Australia won the toss and chose to bat first. The Indian bowlers dominated the proceedings on a pitch that was considerably difficult to bat on. After making a sedate start, they crumbed to 182 all out in 73 overs. Not a single batsman managed to touch the half-century mark in the Australian innings. Maverick opener Michael Slater was the top scorer with 44 while skipper and fellow opener Mark Taylor contributed 27.
Among the others, Mark Waugh and Michael Bevan, the latter playing one of the few Tests of his career, made 26 each while the rest merely made up the numbers. The Indian bowling was excellent, with the spinners in particular wreaking havoc. Anil Kumble, as usual, was the pick of the Indian bowlers, ending with figures of 4 for 63. The other spinners in the game, Aashish Kapoor and Sunil Joshi, grabbed two wickets each while Venkatesh Prasad chipped in with one.
India also found the going tough when it was their turn to bat, but they found an unusual hero in makeshift opener Nayan Mongia. The Indian wicket-keeper held the innings together for 497 minutes and 366 balls en route to his memorable knock of 152, which remained his career best till the end of his career. Mongia’s knock was decked with 18 boundaries and even a six. Significantly, he shared in a century stand with future captain Sourav Ganguly, who contributed 66, after the early fall of regular opener Vikram Rathour. Thanks to Mongia’s brilliance and some cameos lower down the order, India finished with 361 in their first innings.
Australia’s batting performance in the second innings was only a shade better in comparison to the first. This time, one of their batsmen did manage to cross the half-century mark. Steve Waugh remained unbeaten on 67 having faced 221 balls, but again there was little in the form of support. Taylor, Mark Waugh and Bevan all got starts, but failed to convert them as Australia were bowled out for 234. Kumble once again did the damage, adding a five-four to his first innings haul of four. He got excellent support from statemate Prasad, who picked up three wickets.
Following Australia’s collapse, India were left to chase a minor target of 56. There were a few hiccups as Paul Reiffel and Glenn McGrath combined to have India tottering at 26 for 3; Mongia was dismissed for a duck. Ganguly and Mohammad Azharuddin saw India home without further trouble.
Match notes
· Nayan Mongia was declared the man of the match for his brilliant ton
· The match marked the debut of Australia’s Brad Hogg and India’s David Johnson
· This was Sachin Tendulkar’s first Test as captain
--By A Cricket Analyst
