Image Credit- ESPN CricInfo.
Venue- Adelaide Oval, Adelaide [December 2014].
The Indian Cricket Team toured Australia from November 24, 2014, to January 10, 2015, playing two tour matches and four Test matches. The first Test, initially set for December 4 in Brisbane, was delayed due to Phillip Hughes' death, and Adelaide hosted the first Test from December 9, with Brisbane hosting the second Test from December 17. Australian Captain Michael Clarke won the won the toss and chose to bat on a flat pitch at the Adelaide Oval.
David Warner started quickly, with Australia at 0/40 after 4 overs. Chris Rogers (9) and Shane Watson (14) were both dismissed by Ishant Sharma, catching edges to Shikhar Dhawan. Michael Clarke stabilized the innings while Warner scored his 10th century off 106 balls. Clarke retired hurt after scoring 60 due to a back injury. Karn Sharma claimed his first Test wicket when Warner was caught out for 145. Australia finished the day at 6/354, down from a strong 3/345, with Brad Haddin dismissed for 0 on the last ball.
On Day 2, Clarke returned to bat with a back brace, adding 51 runs with Steve Smith before rain interrupted. After resumption, Smith quickly reached his century, followed by Clarke. Rain delays persisted, but Smith reached 150 before Clarke was dismissed for 128 by Karn Sharma. Play ended early due to bad light, with Shami, Aaron, and Karn Sharma each taking two wickets.
Australia declared overnight, sending India to bat on Day 3. Shikhar Dhawan scored 25 before being bowled by Ryan Harris. Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara built an 81-run partnership until Vijay was caught behind off Mitchell Johnson for 53, leaving India at 2/119 at lunch. Pujara and Kohli added another 81 runs before Pujara was bowled by Nathan Lyon for 73. Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane resisted a late attack from Lyon, ending the day at 3/223. Rahane was caught off his gloves for 62 post-tea, with Rohit Sharma helping India reach 400. Kohli scored his second century at Adelaide Oval but was dismissed for 115. Wriddhiman Saha and Sharma took India to 5/369 at stumps.
Nathan Lyon took 5/134 as Australia dismissed India’s remaining wickets in the first session. The Australian openers reached 32 runs at lunch without losing a wicket. Karn Sharma dismissed Chris Rogers (21), but Warner and Shane Watson brought Australia to 1/137 at tea. Warner scored his second century of the innings post-tea, and Australia ended the day at 5/290, with Mitchell Marsh (40) and Steve Smith (52*) scoring rapidly. India's negative tactics were criticized, leading to fines for Warner, Kohli, and Dhawan.
Australia declared overnight again, allowing themselves 98 overs to bowl out India. Dhawan was controversially dismissed for 9, followed by Pujara (21) caught behind off Lyon. Vijay and Kohli added 45 runs, reaching 2/105 at lunch. Post-lunch, they extended their partnership to 185, with Kohli scoring his second century of the match. Vijay was lbw for 99, and Rahane was out for a duck shortly after. Rohit Sharma and Kohli added 35 runs before Sharma’s dismissal triggered a collapse. Lyon took his second 5-wicket haul of the game, eventually dismissing Kohli for 141. India lost their last 8 wickets for 73 runs, collapsing from 2/243 to 315 all out, giving Australia a 1–0 series lead. Lyon was named Man of the Match with figures of 7/152.
The 2014-15 Border Gavaskar Trophy was a pivotal moment in Indian cricket. MS Dhoni stepped down as Test captain after a series of defeats, handing over to Virat Kohli. Though initially considered an unlikely choice, Kohli's aggressive captaincy and outstanding performance, including twin centuries in his debut as captain, marked a new era for Indian cricket. Despite India falling short by 48 runs, Kohli’s leadership and batting excellence hinted at future successes. Under his captaincy, India won 40 out of 68 Tests, with Kohli averaging 55.36 and scoring 20 centuries and seven double centuries, making him India’s most successful Test captain.
To watch Virat Kohli's knock of 115, Click Here.
To watch Virat Kohli's knock of 141, Click Here.
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