Australia and India both have been proud nations in terms of cricket. Australia, on one hand have dominated the whole cricketing world for a very long time and unarguably the greatest cricketing nation of all time. India, however have progressed spectacularly well in last 20 years and they have as good a team as they ever had. In the beginning of this year in 2017, Australia toured India for 3 tests. Later on, in September-October they came back to complete the limited over leg of the tour. The 4-match test series between them was a huge success. From DRS brain-fade of Steve Smith to O'keefe destroying India in the first match, From Pujara marathon knocks to Rahane's dynamic captaincy, it was a blockbuster series. I have already written over that here.
Coming to this limited over leg of the tour, Australia came to India with possibly the worst momentum they could have. They didn't win a single match in ICC Champions Trophy 2017. That makes them the only top nation who have failed to win a single match in Champions Trophy since 2009 (when they had won the tournament). They were rusty in the test series against Bangladesh where they somehow managed to hold onto a drawn series after losing the first test. Though Bangladesh are a very formidable opponents at home, still this was the first test loss of Australia against Bangladesh and I still think Australia should have done better than a draw.
India, on the other hand were flying. Before this series, they were number 1 in tests and number 2 in ODIs with the trailing points for first spot in ODIs shrinking. When, this series was done, they were number 1 in both formats quite comprehensively. They were close to flawless in Champions Trophy 2017 when only possibly the best all-round performance by Pakistan halted their march in the finals. Just before this series, India annihilated Sri Lanka in all formats 9-0 in their own backyard. They were ready.
ODI Series (5 matches)
First ODI, September 17, 2017 - Chennai
Australia started the series splendidly. They had India down at 11 for 3 and 87 for 5 when they let it slip away. MSD showing his vast experience and Hardik using his newly found wings destroyed Australian attack to push India to 283, which was very close to Everest on slow Chennai pitch. Zampa and his leg-spin were hammered all around the park by Pandya. Australia were asked to chase 164 in 21 overs after the rain break, but India were just too good. A fine spell by Bhuvi and Bumrah in beginning followed by magic of wrist spinners sealed the deal in India's favor.
Second ODI, September 21, 2017 - Kolkata
Probably, the best chance Australia had to come back into the series. They had India all out at 250 and should have chased it down quite comfortably. Instead, they chose to mess it up. Yet another collapse at Eden Gardens brought them very close to losing the series. Wrist spinners once again proving out to be Aussies' kryptonite.
Third ODI, September 24, 2017 - Indore
For Australia one of the major concerns in the opening two games was the form of Hilton Cartwright. He was brought into the team as a backup opener, but Bhuvi and Bumrah were just playing with him. He struggled to put bat on ball in both games and it was almost a relief when he got out. Both his ODI innings were deeply painful and agonizing to watch. Australia were missing big man Aaron Finch badly. But, no more. He was back. And back with a bang. Finchy made a ton and Australia were set for 350+ when Finchy and Smithy were batting till 37th over. Another masterpiece by Bhuvi and Bumrah restricted them to sub-300 total and now it was India's game to lose. India's job was made reasonbly easier when Smith chose to give very short spell to Cummins and Coulter-nile. Both Rahane and Rohit Sharma milked the Australian bowlers and after they put on a 100+ partnership, it was a cake-walk from there. A few quick wickets in the middle brought some excitement, but the door was closed by Hardik Pandya coming in at number 4 and guiding India to a series victory. 3-0 up. India went to Number 1 ODI team as per ICC rankings.
Fourth ODI, September 28, 2017 - Bengaluru
Finally, Everything came together for Australia for the first time in the series. Won the toss, batted first, batted big. Warner getting a fine ton in his 100th ODI, while Finchy missing out on consecutive ones. India took it for granted and chose to rest their best two bowlers and paid the price. 334 in 50 overs proved to be a little too much for India in spite of excellent batting. To me, Rohit Sharma run out by flying Steve Smith was the turning-point of the match. Pandya and Jadhav gave Australia a bit of scare in the end, but one of the most spectacular displays of death bowling by Richardson put the game in Australia's bag and hence they avoided the embarrassment of blue-wash.
Fifth ODI, October 1, 2017 - Nagpur
This was a game, which was almost meant to be. India showing their pure class and beating Australia in a one-sided contest. Bhuvi and Bumrah were brought back as number 1 ranking came at stake. Australia were restricted to 242 and it was made to look like an absolute joke when Rohit Sharma single-handedly took care of the chase. Australia were beaten 4-1 and India were established as a new number 1 ODI side in the world.
T20I Series (3 Matches)
Then, came T20 series. A series of 3 matches to finish off the tour. As is often the case, T20s bring the teams closer together and it is often a very good way to finish a bleak tour on a high. To Australia's disappointment, Steve Smith got injured before the series and had to fly home. David Warner was appointed as stand-in captain for the series. Australia got some fresh faces for the series like Henriques, Christian, Behrendorff etc. They were raring to go.
First T20I, October 7, 2017 - Ranchi
I have always hated the idea of toss being the crucial factor in a game. Both the T20s in the series were remarkably similar and very much decided by the toss itself. India did to Australia what Australia later did to India in the series. In Ranchi, India chose to bowl first and Kuldeep Yadav making a mess of Australian middle order. They were 118-8 when rain came. Later on, India were asked to chase 48 in 6 overs which was ridiculous. It was easily taken care of and India were 1-0 up putting Australia in tremendous pressure.
Second T20I, October 10, 2017 - Guwahati
This was the first international game ever at newly built stadium of Guwahati. This match transpired very similar to first game, with only difference being the roles of India and Australia reversed. Jason Behrendorff produced a sensational spell of swing bowling to destroy the India top-order. A score of 118 was made to look even smaller when the dew set in. Moises Henriques showing his vast experience of IPL and finishing on a beautiful unbeaten half-century. Series: 1-1 with all to play for.
Third T20I, October 13, 2017 - Hyderabad
It is indeed annoying when the match gets called off without rain even coming. Leading up to the match, Hyderabad was soaked in rain for almost 2 weeks and hence the outfield was deemed not-fit-for-play. Australia and India sharing the series 1-1 and deservedly so. Both teams were equally flawed in T20 leg of the tour and it was overall a nice result.
Australia, no doubt will be hurting after the tour. They have an Ashes to prepare for. They managed to win only 1 test, 1 ODI and 1 T20 on India's tour, which clearly proved India's dominance in their home conditions. Australia have got a young team and they are still a long way off from being the team we grew up watching. Ashes, being played in their home will be a good chance to shed some poor memories of 2017 and slowly march their ascent to the top of the world.
Coming to this limited over leg of the tour, Australia came to India with possibly the worst momentum they could have. They didn't win a single match in ICC Champions Trophy 2017. That makes them the only top nation who have failed to win a single match in Champions Trophy since 2009 (when they had won the tournament). They were rusty in the test series against Bangladesh where they somehow managed to hold onto a drawn series after losing the first test. Though Bangladesh are a very formidable opponents at home, still this was the first test loss of Australia against Bangladesh and I still think Australia should have done better than a draw.
India, on the other hand were flying. Before this series, they were number 1 in tests and number 2 in ODIs with the trailing points for first spot in ODIs shrinking. When, this series was done, they were number 1 in both formats quite comprehensively. They were close to flawless in Champions Trophy 2017 when only possibly the best all-round performance by Pakistan halted their march in the finals. Just before this series, India annihilated Sri Lanka in all formats 9-0 in their own backyard. They were ready.
ODI Series (5 matches)
First ODI, September 17, 2017 - Chennai
Australia started the series splendidly. They had India down at 11 for 3 and 87 for 5 when they let it slip away. MSD showing his vast experience and Hardik using his newly found wings destroyed Australian attack to push India to 283, which was very close to Everest on slow Chennai pitch. Zampa and his leg-spin were hammered all around the park by Pandya. Australia were asked to chase 164 in 21 overs after the rain break, but India were just too good. A fine spell by Bhuvi and Bumrah in beginning followed by magic of wrist spinners sealed the deal in India's favor.
Second ODI, September 21, 2017 - Kolkata
Probably, the best chance Australia had to come back into the series. They had India all out at 250 and should have chased it down quite comfortably. Instead, they chose to mess it up. Yet another collapse at Eden Gardens brought them very close to losing the series. Wrist spinners once again proving out to be Aussies' kryptonite.
Third ODI, September 24, 2017 - Indore
For Australia one of the major concerns in the opening two games was the form of Hilton Cartwright. He was brought into the team as a backup opener, but Bhuvi and Bumrah were just playing with him. He struggled to put bat on ball in both games and it was almost a relief when he got out. Both his ODI innings were deeply painful and agonizing to watch. Australia were missing big man Aaron Finch badly. But, no more. He was back. And back with a bang. Finchy made a ton and Australia were set for 350+ when Finchy and Smithy were batting till 37th over. Another masterpiece by Bhuvi and Bumrah restricted them to sub-300 total and now it was India's game to lose. India's job was made reasonbly easier when Smith chose to give very short spell to Cummins and Coulter-nile. Both Rahane and Rohit Sharma milked the Australian bowlers and after they put on a 100+ partnership, it was a cake-walk from there. A few quick wickets in the middle brought some excitement, but the door was closed by Hardik Pandya coming in at number 4 and guiding India to a series victory. 3-0 up. India went to Number 1 ODI team as per ICC rankings.
Fourth ODI, September 28, 2017 - Bengaluru
Finally, Everything came together for Australia for the first time in the series. Won the toss, batted first, batted big. Warner getting a fine ton in his 100th ODI, while Finchy missing out on consecutive ones. India took it for granted and chose to rest their best two bowlers and paid the price. 334 in 50 overs proved to be a little too much for India in spite of excellent batting. To me, Rohit Sharma run out by flying Steve Smith was the turning-point of the match. Pandya and Jadhav gave Australia a bit of scare in the end, but one of the most spectacular displays of death bowling by Richardson put the game in Australia's bag and hence they avoided the embarrassment of blue-wash.
Fifth ODI, October 1, 2017 - Nagpur
This was a game, which was almost meant to be. India showing their pure class and beating Australia in a one-sided contest. Bhuvi and Bumrah were brought back as number 1 ranking came at stake. Australia were restricted to 242 and it was made to look like an absolute joke when Rohit Sharma single-handedly took care of the chase. Australia were beaten 4-1 and India were established as a new number 1 ODI side in the world.
T20I Series (3 Matches)
Then, came T20 series. A series of 3 matches to finish off the tour. As is often the case, T20s bring the teams closer together and it is often a very good way to finish a bleak tour on a high. To Australia's disappointment, Steve Smith got injured before the series and had to fly home. David Warner was appointed as stand-in captain for the series. Australia got some fresh faces for the series like Henriques, Christian, Behrendorff etc. They were raring to go.
First T20I, October 7, 2017 - Ranchi
I have always hated the idea of toss being the crucial factor in a game. Both the T20s in the series were remarkably similar and very much decided by the toss itself. India did to Australia what Australia later did to India in the series. In Ranchi, India chose to bowl first and Kuldeep Yadav making a mess of Australian middle order. They were 118-8 when rain came. Later on, India were asked to chase 48 in 6 overs which was ridiculous. It was easily taken care of and India were 1-0 up putting Australia in tremendous pressure.
Second T20I, October 10, 2017 - Guwahati
This was the first international game ever at newly built stadium of Guwahati. This match transpired very similar to first game, with only difference being the roles of India and Australia reversed. Jason Behrendorff produced a sensational spell of swing bowling to destroy the India top-order. A score of 118 was made to look even smaller when the dew set in. Moises Henriques showing his vast experience of IPL and finishing on a beautiful unbeaten half-century. Series: 1-1 with all to play for.
Third T20I, October 13, 2017 - Hyderabad
It is indeed annoying when the match gets called off without rain even coming. Leading up to the match, Hyderabad was soaked in rain for almost 2 weeks and hence the outfield was deemed not-fit-for-play. Australia and India sharing the series 1-1 and deservedly so. Both teams were equally flawed in T20 leg of the tour and it was overall a nice result.
Australia, no doubt will be hurting after the tour. They have an Ashes to prepare for. They managed to win only 1 test, 1 ODI and 1 T20 on India's tour, which clearly proved India's dominance in their home conditions. Australia have got a young team and they are still a long way off from being the team we grew up watching. Ashes, being played in their home will be a good chance to shed some poor memories of 2017 and slowly march their ascent to the top of the world.
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