India vs Aus: Top Knocks by Indian Batsmen against Australia in ODIs
Rohit Sharma’s double-hundred, the highlight as we look at the top knocks by Indian batsmen against Australia in ODIs.
India and Australia share one of the fiercest rivalries in the cricketing world, and It goes without saying that the matches played between these two countries produce high intensity; on and off the field.
While the two teams have produced some of the world’s most epic encounters, the rivalries between the players have always been exciting too. Indian batsmen countering the likes of Lee, McGrath, Warne, Gillespie, etc. has been the scene of the late ’90s and early ‘2000s.
So, let’s look at some of the top knocks played by Indian batsmen against Australia in ODIs.
Methodology:
As always, we have analyzed the top batting knocks on the basis of the batting points calculated from the overall aspect of the game such as runs scored, acceleration bonus, relative strike rate and runs bonus, number of fours, number of sixes, number of good knocks, match-winning knock points, and the player of the match points.
To leave out the biases and perception, we have kept the things simple by comparing the overall batting points of all the knocks to find out the Top knocks by Indian batsmen against Australia in ODIs.
#5: Yuvraj Singh’s 139 (122) || Sydney, 2004
Score: 139(122) || 16 Fours || 2 Sixes
Batting points: 252.8
Australia dominated the 2000-2010 era like a boss, and facing them was one of the toughest things to do. 2004 it was as India faced the mighty Aussies without their ace batsman, Sachin Tendulkar.
Bowling first, Australian bowling that comprised of Gillespie, Lee, and Bichel reduced India to 80/3 in the first 15 overs. Yuvraj Singh then came to India’s rescue as he combined with Laxman to add 213 runs for the fourth wicket.
While Laxman went on to score his third century in the tri-series, Yuvraj was one the one who kept the scoreboard ticking. Yuvraj had earlier announced himself at the international stage with a fluent 84 against the Aussies, but it was this knock at Sydney that made him everyone’s favorite.
The southpaw reached his second ODI hundred in just 104 balls. Post his hundred, we saw the potential ‘finisher’ in Yuvraj. He smashed 14 runs in the 48th over and then slammed 22 runs in the 49th over as India reached 296/4 in 50 overs.
Defending the target, Team India were in a winning position before a heavy downpour reduced the target to 225. Australia won the watch with 2 wickets to spare, but for his valiant effort, Yuvraj was named the player of the match.
#4: Sachin Tendulkar’s 141(128) || Dhaka, 1998
Score: 141(128) || 13 Fours || 3 Sixes
Batting Points: 261.4
The year 1998 was one of the best years of Sachin Tendulkar’s illustrious career. He scored a record total of 1894 runs with 9 centuries in ODIs that year, and this particular knock came in the QF against Australia.
Electing to field first, Australia got off to a fantastic start reducing India to 8/2. However, such was Tendulkar’s mastery that the scorecard pressure had no bearing on him. He counterattacked the Aussies as he added a solid 140 for the third wicket along with Rahul Dravid.
After the latter got run out, Tendulkar added another quick pace 132 with Ajay Jadeja for the fourth wicket. The little master completed his 19th hundred in just 94 deliveries, and then scored a flurry of boundaries that powered India to a huge score of 307. He was eventually run-out at a score of 141.
Sachin was not done yet. He provided crucial breakthroughs with the ball to finish with 4/38 in 9.1 overs. Courtesy of his all-round performance, Australia fell short by 44 runs, and India moved on to play the next stage of the tournament.
#3: Sachin Tendulkar’s 143 (131) || Sharjah, 1998
Score: 143(131) || 9 Fours || 5 Sixes
Batting Points: 263.3
The ‘DESERT STORM’ knock as they call it has been a bookmark in India vs Australia cricketing history. The innings after which even the great Shane Warne started getting nightmares about Sachin.
Before getting into the innings, the background is important. this was a Tri-series competition between India, Australia, and New Zealand. Australia had already qualified for the finals, and to qualify for the finals, India needed to chase down 285, and more importantly, they needed to reach 254 to pip New Zealand’s net run-rate.
After a quiet start to the innings, Tendulkar pulled Kasprowicz for 2 consecutive sixes that set the tone for the innings. After Sourav Ganguly’s dismissal, Nayan Mongia aptly played a supporting role at the other end as the little master continued to milk runs at a steady rate.
The sandstorm occurred twice which resulted in play being suspended. The abandonment would have resulted in India getting knocked out of the Tournament. But, luck favoured India as the weather cleared up, India got a revised target of 237 in 46 overs.
Tendulkar then carefully crafted his innings taking measured risks. However, once he reached to three-figure mark, he became ruthless as he started smashing fours and sixes at will.
India reached the 237 run mark in the 43rd over; thus cementing their place in the final. After gloving the ball to the keeper at 143, Tendulkar walked off of the field not waiting for the umpire’s signal. That showed both the greatness and class of a champion.
#2: Sachin Tendulkar’s 175(141) || Hyderabad, 2009
Score: 175(141) || 19 Fours || 4 Sixes
Batting Points: 317
Years 2009 and 2010 saw Sachin Tendulkar defying odds, and destroying the ‘Age Taboo’ in Cricket. Tendulkar, 36-years-old then resembled the 24-year-old youngster from Sharjah with this knock in 2009.
Chasing more than 350, the Little Master seemed invincible that night as he drove the ball with authority, and anything flighted by Hogg was lofted into the stands. Raina’s arrival at the crease gave Tendulkar the support and freedom, after which he started scoring at will. The duo added 137 for the fifth wicket, taking India close to the target.
At one point, the victory looked imminent. However, a couple of run-outs, and poor shot selection by other batsmen ended India’s bid for a record run chase. The fans were disappointed, but for 210 minutes, the little master turned the clock and showed us that he was still the best.
#1: Rohit Sharma’s 209(158) || Bangalore, 2013
Score: 209(158) || 12 Fours || 16 Sixes
Batting Points: 376.1
Even after making his debut in 2007, Rohit Sharma’s spot in the Indian team was still not fixed. There was no match for his talent and skills, but his consistency and temperament were always questioned. However, the tables turned for him when he was asked to open in the Champions trophy in 2013.
Post the Champions Trophy, Rohit Sharma played one of the best ODI knocks played by any player against the Aussies. Given the dew factor at the Chinnaswamy Stadium, it was a no brainer that George Bailey decided to bowl first.
Rohit Sharma started slowly as he usually does scoring his fifty off 71 deliveries, and hundred off 114 deliveries. However, post his hundred, Rohit Sharma went into a beast mode as he scored his next 100 runs in just 41 deliveries, smashing the Aussies to every part of Chinnaswamy.
By the time his carnage was ended, the Mumbaikar had smashed 209 runs off 158 balls. He had struck 12 boundaries and 16 humongous sixes. In the process, he became the third batsman after Sachin Tendulkar and Virender Sehwag to smash a double century in ODI’s.
Thanks for reading! Do let us know which knock did you like the most.
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