Time For The Indian Team To Set The Record Straight In Australia

 Lala Amarnath led India to 0-4 defeat. it was understandable as the Aussies were led by the formidable Bradman who hit 4 centuries against the Indians. He had scores of 185, 201, 127, 132*, 58*. The next tour was by the Indians under the Nawab of Pataudi.  Except for pataudi who had some good scores and a century by ML Jaisimaha the Indians were outplayed and lost the 4 test series 0-4. This was in 1967

India  toured Australia in 1978 under Bedi. This was a second XI as all the main cricketers were with Kerry packer and yet the Indians

lost 2-3. BS Chandershekhar in his autobiography has written that he could not understand how the Indian's lost to a second XI. Gavaskar led India to a drawn series, but he almost forfeited the series by walking out from the field  after being given out. It was a petulant behaviour and showed him in poor light.

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Indians had a relatively good tour under Kapil dev in 1986  but they could not force the issue though India was the better team. The next tour in 1992 under Azaharuddin resulted in a 0-4 thrashing. Sachin led India against Austraial on one tour and India lost the series 0-3. Thus the series down under is a saga of defeats. The last tour under Ganguly was better as India drew the series and some big scores were etched in the record books by the Indians. But again India failed to win, though India was the better team.

The situation now is tailor made for an Indian win and it will be a pity in case India again fails to win. The Aussies are weak and have not done too well in their last outings against New Zealand and South Africa, so this is India's best chance. Lets wait and see.