7 memorable Test hundreds by Indian batsman in Australia during the Border Gavaskar trophy

The India versus Australia rivalry kicked in big time post the historic series of 2001 where India halted the marauding Australians and set about writing a new world order in the world of international cricket. The two teams have had some of the best players play in the series, the likes of Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid , Sourav Ganguly, VVS Laxman and Virat Kohli have led the charge for the Indian batting against the mighty Australian bowling. Here we take a look seven such centuries by Indian batsmen in the Australian soil during the illustrious Border – Gavaskar trophy.

VVS Laxman -167 –Sydney-1999

The Indian team which toured Australia in 1999-00 was humbled by a 3-0 score line and some of the players were never the same after that tour, but as they say with humiliation comes redemption, VVS Laxman proved to be the redemption as he went to open for Indian in the SCG match and in the second innings he played some of the best strokes played a Indian batsman down under for a long time. Laxman scored 167 runs off 198 balls with 27 fours in what was considered to be a turning point in his career.

Sourav Ganguly -144 – Brisbane-2003

The Indian captain was threatened with Chin Music by the Australian media and team management. The feisty Indian captain Sourav Ganguly took up the challenge as he hammered the Australian bowlers to all parts of the ground. Australia had posted an imposing 323 in the first innings. Indians were in trouble at 62 for 3 with the big wicket of Tendulkar back in the hut. Ganguly first joined forces with Aakash Chopra and added 65 and then added a quick fire 146 with VVS Laxman to notch up a memorable 100. Ganguly was finally out for 144 off 196 balls with 18 fours to set the tone for the series.

Rahul Dravid-233 –Adelaide-2003

The match which redefined the way India played away from home was the win at Adelaide and Rahul Dravid was the architect of it. Batting first Australia posted a huge 556 with Ricky Ponting leading the way with a beautiful 242. Indians found themselves in a spot of bother as they were reduced to 85/4, that’s when the Kolkata re-run occurred as Dravid and Laxman added 303 with each other, while Laxman was out for 148 Dravid continue to fight on and scored a mesmerizing 233 off 446 balls with 23 fours and one six. India rallied to win the match by 4 wickets with Dravid unbeaten on 72 in the second innings.

Sachin Tendulkar -241- Sydney-2003

The 2003-04 tour of Australia wasn’t a memorable one for Tendulkar till the two teams squared off in Sydney in the New Year test match which also was Steve Waugh’s last test. Tendulkar in an innings of utter concentration where he did not play any cover drive which had been his nemesis for the tour scored a mind blowing 241 runs unbeaten off 436 balls with 33 fours and no sixes. That innings is considered to be one of the finest a good case study for self restraint

Virat Kohli – twin centuries – Adelaide -2014

With Australia coming to grips with the untimely passing of Phil Hughes, the Indians played the first test of the 2014/15 tour under the cloud of somber atmosphere. Australia batted first and scored a mammoth 517, the Indian reply was led by Virat Kohli who was the captain for the game with a sublime 115 off 184 balls with 12 fours. The Indian captain wasn’t done in the second innings chasing 364 for an unlikely win the Indian captain led the way with a chanceless 141 off 175 balls with 16 fours and one six only to see India fall short by 48 runs.

Cheteswar Pujara -193 –Sydney -2019

The rock solid number 3 Indian batsman had already been the nemesis for the Australian team by scoring 328 runs up until that point. The Indian team had taken a 2-1 lead with the two teams going into Sydney and the home side needed to win at SCG to tie the series and avoid a first test series loss at home to the Indians. Pujara though made sure all the thoughts of an Australian win was out of the window as he ground out the Aussie attack with a patient 193 off 373 balls with 22 fours. When he was dismissed the whole SCG stood up in respect for the Saurashtra batsman.

Rishabh Pant – 159 not out – Sydney-2019

If Pujara was sedate and watchful, Rishabh Pant was enterprising and thrill seeking the young 21 year old wicket keeper who was on his first tour of Australia scored a whirlwind knock of 159 off 189 balls with 15 fours and one six. His knock enabled India to post a huge 622 for 7 and throw out any hopes the Australians had for a win to tie the series.