‘Monkeygate’ to Gabbatoir: Five classic Australia v India Tests

Australia and India have been facing each other in Test cricket since 1947 and renew their rivalry in Perth on Friday, playing a five-match series for the first time since 1991-92.

Some of the most competitive clashes have come since they began contesting the Border-Gavaskar Trophy — named after the first two batsmen to pass 10,000 runs — in the 1996-97 season.

AFP looks back at five memorable Tests:

– Tendulkar conquers Warne –

Sachin Tendulkar and spin king Shane Warne had many epic battles.

In 1998 at the Chidambaram Stadium, Chennai, Warne drew first blood by having the batting master caught for four in the slips, then he ran through the middle order to restrict India to 257 in their first innings. In reply Australia made 328, helped by Ian Healy’s 90.

This set the stage for Warne v Tendulkar round two, and it was the batsman who came out on top on a dusty, spin-friendly wicket. He produced one of his most dazzling innings, taking apart Warne and fellow spinner Gavin Robertson in a magnificent unbeaten 155 from 191 balls that changed the course of the match.

India declared and set Australia 348 to win, and they were bundled out for just 168 on the final day with Tendulkar, not surprisingly, named man-of-the-match.

– Laxman’s epic stand –

The second Test at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, in 2001 was all about one of India’s greatest comebacks and is regarded among the most exciting matches of all time.

After Australia posted a big total of 445, with Matthew Hayden making 97 and Steve Waugh 110, their bowling attack led by Glenn McGrath skittled the home side for 171.

The follow-on was enforced with India in real danger of going 2-0 down in the series before VVS Laxman (281) and Rahul Dravid (180) knuckled down in a memorable and gritty 376-run stand for the fifth wicket as India made 657-7 before declaring.

Australia were left with a victory target of 384, but six wickets from Harbhajan Singh steered India to an unlikely 171-run win.

– ‘Monkeygate’ scandal –

Perhaps the most controversial and spiteful Test between the two nations, the 2008 Sydney encounter was dubbed “Monkeygate”, marred by umpiring errors and accusations of racism.

Ricky Ponting’s men won by 122 runs for a record-breaking 16th consecutive Test victory with just seven balls remaining in a breathless finish after part-time spinner Michael Clarke took three wickets in five deliveries.

But it is infamously remembered for Harbhajan Singh being charged with racial abuse and banned for three Tests for allegedly calling Andrew Symonds — who has West Indian ancestry — a “monkey” during the third day’s play.

The row saw India threaten to pull out of the tour and on appeal the ban was lifted and the charge downgraded to abusive language, leaving relations between the teams tense.

– Spinners rule in Bangalore –

Australia took a 1-0 lead into the fiery Test in Bangalore in 2017 and when Nathan Lyon bagged 8-50 to bamboozle the Indian batsmen for 189, it looked like the tourists would go 2-0 up.

But in a bad-tempered few days, Ravindra Jadeja picked up 6-63 to ensure the tourists led by just 87. A stylish 92 from Cheteshwar Pujara coupled with six wickets for Josh Hazlewood then saw India all out for 274 to set Australia 188 to win.

They crumbled for 112 with Ravichandran Ashwin becoming the fourth bowler in the match to claim six wickets — the first time this had happened in Test history.

The landmark was overshadowed by Virat Kohli accusing Australia of consulting their dressing room over DRS decisions from the field. Asked whether Australia cheated, a fired-up Kohli replied: “I didn’t say that, you did.”

– ‘Gabbatoir’ conquered –

Australia went into the deciding Test at Brisbane of the four-match series in 2020-21 having not lost at the Gabba in 32 years. Beset by injuries, India were heavy underdogs.

The hosts won the toss and, helped by a Marnus Labuschagne century, compiled 369 before India responded with a gritty 336. Australia — in Nathan Lyon’s 100th Test — were restricted to 294 in the second innings, but they still set India a mammoth 328 to win.

A battling 91 from Shubman Gill gave them a solid platform but it was a dashing Rishabh Pant who stole the show with a thrilling unbeaten 89 to complete a three-wicket victory with three overs to spare on the final day.