India’s Historic Test Wins In Adelaide: A Tale of Grit and Glory
Explore India’s two historic Test victories at Adelaide Oval, overcoming odds with Dravid’s brilliance in 2003 and Pujara’s determination in 2018.
The Adelaide Oval holds a special place in the history of cricket. Known for its picturesque setting and iconic architecture, this ground has witnessed many legendary cricketing moments. India’s relationship with this ground, however, has been a challenging one. Since their first Test match in Adelaide back in 1948, the Indian cricket team has often struggled here. Out of 13 matches played, they’ve only tasted victory twice, managing three draws, and suffering seven defeats.
Adelaide Oval is not just any cricket ground; its unique oval shape, with long straight boundaries that stretch over 80 meters, makes it different from many others. This venue has a rich cricketing history, including the honor of hosting the first-ever day-night Test match in 2015, a match between Australia and New Zealand. The floodlights have turned this ground into a fortress for Australia in such day-night games.
For India, despite many close calls, it took many years to break the Adelaide curse. India’s lowest-ever Test total, a dismal 36 all out, came here in 2020, a match that still haunts Indian fans. Yet, amidst the struggles, there have been two remarkable victories that stand out in Indian cricket’s history books. Let’s revisit those memorable matches where India defied the odds and triumphed in Adelaide.
India’s Test Match Wins at Adelaide
| Date | Opponent | Result | Key Performers |
|---|---|---|---|
| 12 December 2003 | Australia | India won by 4 wickets | Rahul Dravid, Ajit Agarkar |
| 6 December 2018 | Australia | India won by 31 runs | Cheteshwar Pujara, Jasprit Bumrah |
12 December 2003: India’s First Victory in Adelaide – The ‘Dravid-Agarak Show’
India’s first Test win in Adelaide came in 2003, a match that cricket fans still talk about with excitement. Australia, under Steve Waugh’s captaincy, were a dominant side at home. In this particular match, Australia posted a mammoth first-innings total of 556, with Ricky Ponting scoring a brilliant 242.
At this point, most teams would have crumbled under the pressure, but not India. Stepping up in the face of adversity, Rahul Dravid delivered one of the finest performances of his career. Known as “The Wall” for his solid defense, Dravid’s double century (233 runs) was an innings of sheer grit and patience. His knock helped India post a strong reply, scoring 523 runs, despite trailing by 33 runs.
Ajit Agarkar then played a crucial role with the ball. Known more for his batting, Agarkar shocked everyone by leading the Indian bowling attack in Australia’s second innings. He took a sensational six-wicket haul, restricting Australia to just 196 runs. His performance turned the game around, giving India a fighting chance.
India needed 230 runs to win in the final innings. There were some tense moments, but Dravid was once again the hero. Remaining unbeaten on 72, he guided India to a historic victory by four wickets. This win was India’s first at Adelaide and one of their rare triumphs on Australian soil. Rahul Dravid was rightly named the Man of the Match for his heroic efforts with the bat.
6 December 2018: India’s Second Victory in Adelaide – A Close and Intense Battle
Fast forward 15 years, and India found themselves back in Adelaide, this time for the 2018-19 Test series. Virat Kohli’s men were determined to change India’s fortunes in Australia. The first Test of the series took place in Adelaide, and it proved to be a thriller right until the last day.
The foundation of India’s success in this match was laid by Cheteshwar Pujara. Known for his calm and steady approach, Pujara anchored India’s innings with scores of 123 in the first innings and 71 in the second. His disciplined batting frustrated the Australian bowlers and helped India set challenging targets in both innings.
India’s bowling attack also rose to the occasion. Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and R Ashwin were relentless. Between them, they claimed 17 wickets, putting Australia under constant pressure. Bumrah’s pace, Shami’s swing, and Ashwin’s spin worked wonders, as Australia struggled to chase down the target India had set for them.
On the final day, the match could have gone either way. Australia fought back hard, but India’s bowlers kept their nerves. Eventually, India won by a narrow margin of just 31 runs, making it their second Test victory in Adelaide. This win was particularly special because it gave India a crucial 1-0 lead in the series, which they eventually won, marking their first-ever Test series victory in Australia.
The Significance of Adelaide’s Wins for India
For India, Adelaide has been a ground of mixed emotions. Despite several defeats and setbacks, the victories in 2003 and 2018 stand out as moments of immense pride. These wins were not just about cricket; they were about overcoming odds, showing resilience, and proving that Indian cricket could triumph even on the toughest of foreign soil.
The performances of Rahul Dravid, Ajit Agarkar, Cheteshwar Pujara, and the Indian bowling unit in these two wins remind us that cricket is a game of perseverance and teamwork. Though Adelaide remains a challenging venue for India, these two historic wins will always be cherished as symbols of India’s fighting spirit in Test cricket.
Also Read: Why KL Rahul Should Continue As India’s Test Opener In 2024