Australia vs India: 5 interesting ODI series that the two powerhouses played in the past

2. India beat Australia 3-2 in 6-match series in India in 1986-87:

It was only the second India-Australia bilateral series in history and the home team was yet to win its maiden series win against the Kangaroos in a bilateral affair. The first match was played in Jaipur on September 7. Skipper Kapil Dev won the toss in the 47-over game and elected to field first. Both Australian openers Geoff Marsh (104 off 139) and David Boon (111 off 118) hit centuries but yet the tourists could not score more than 250 for 3 in their allotted overs. Mohammed Azharuddin was the only Indian bowler to pick a wicket.

In reply, opener Kris Srikkanth paid one ton back (102 off 104) while debutant Raman Lamba hit 64 off 53 to help India overhaul the target in 41 overs with seven wickets in hand. Srikkanth was picked as the man of the match as India went up 1-0 in the long series. The second game was played in Srinagar on September 9 and this time, Australian captain Allan Border won the toss and put the hosts into bat.

In this game which was also reduced to 47 overs a side, India’s batting did not deliver as per expectations and in their allotted overs, the hosts managed to score 222 for 8 with Sunil Gavaskar scoring the highest (52 off 56). Simon Davis, Bruce Reid and Steve Waugh took two wickets each. Aussies lost Boon early but Border’s unbeaten 90 in 106 balls and Greg Matthews’ 31 secured a victory for the visitors in the penultimate over with three wickets in hand.

Kapil, Roger Binny and Ravi Shastri took two wickets each. Border was adjudged the man of the match as Australia levelled the series against the then world champions 1-1. The unusual itinerary then saw the two teams locking horns in the first Test of the series in Chennai (then Madras) that saw a historic tie. They then played the third ODI in Hyderabad on September 24 which, however, remained inconclusive.

Kapil won the toss and put Australia in to bat and they posted 242 for 6 in their 47 overs (this game was reduced too). Greg Ritchie was the highest scorer for Australia with 75 while Late Dean Jones made 48. India were 41 for 1 in the 11th over with Lamba, who opened the innings, remaining not out on 20. The series remained 1-1 with three to go. India and Australia then played in their second Test in Delhi which ended in a draw.

The fourth ODI followed thereafter  (October 2) and in this 45-over game, India emerged victorious by three wickets. Kapil won the toss and invited Border to bat first. Wicket-keeper Greg Dyer’s 45 not out down the order and Jones’ 43 helped Australia overcome a disappointing batting outing to post 238 for 6. Roger Binny and Maninder Singh claimed two wickets each.

In reply, Raman Lamba’s 74 and a couple of thirties by Dilip Vengsarkar (37) and Kapil (36) and a crucial 29 not out by Shastri later in the innings helped India drive home in the 44th over with three wickets to spare. Reid was the best of the Australian bowlers with 3 for 43. Lamba was picked as the man of the match as India went up 2-1.

The fifth game took place in Ahmedabad on October 5 and Australia let a golden chance of levelling the series slip out of their hand. This time, Kapil won the toss and elected to bat but the hosts were reduced to 98 for 6. Shastri (53 off 54) and Madan Lal (30 off 54) then came together to add 67 runs to take India beyond 160. The hosts were eventually bowled out for 193 in less than 48 overs.

Davis took 3 for 35 while Dave Gilbert claimed 2 for 52. Australia overcame the early loss of Boon and were cruising well at 104 for 3 but the departure of Border (43 off 64) triggered an incredible collapse and they folded for 161 in 43.3 overs. Marsh also scored 43 off 96 balls and the visitors were looking strong as he put up 69 runs with his skipper for the second wicket. Shastri took 2 for 23 along with Kapil (2 for 18) to back his batting effort and was picked as the man of the match.

India took an unassailable 3-1 lead in the series with one match to go. The sixth and the final match of the series was played in Rajkot and in this 48-over game, Border won the toss and asked India to bat first. Lamba scored a century (his only in international cricket) as an opener while Kapil made 58 off 31 at no.5 to power the hosts to 260 for 6 in their stipulated overs.

Steve Waugh was the best of the Australian bowlers with 2 for 50. Australia came up with a steady chase spearheaded by Border (91 not out off 88) and Jones (55 off 42). They reached the target in 46.3 overs, losing only three wickets in the process to salvage some pride. Border was adjudged the man of the match while India registered their first-ever bilateral ODI series win over Australia. Lamba was picked as the man of the series.