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BGT Classics: Ajit Agarkar’s Unforgettable Spell That Scripted India’s Greatest Fightback In Australia

Probuddha Bhattacharjee

Ajit Agarkar [Source: @cricbuzz/x.com]Ajit Agarkar [Source: @cricbuzz/x.com]

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The Adelaide Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2003-04 will be remembered as one of the best fightbacks by the Indian team in Test cricket. After the first match of the series was drawn, India showed great resilience to take a 1-0 lead in the series, surprising the mighty Aussies. 

Ricky Ponting’s Classic Set a High Benchmark for India

Australia batted first in the match, and Ricky Ponting came up with one of his classics, scoring 242 runs off 352 deliveries. His knock ensured that Australia posted a massive total of 556 runs in their first innings. 

The Iconic Dravid-Laxman Partnership: India’s Strong Reply

India came up with a strong reply as the two biggest nemeses of Australia, Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman, came up with resilient and gritty knocks with the bat. Dravid scored a patient 233 off 446 deliveries, and Laxman came up with 148 off 282 deliveries. The duo stitched a partnership of 303 runs and ensured India went as close to the Australian total as possible. India’s innings ended at 523 as they conceded a lead of only 33 runs in the first innings. 

Ajit Agarkar’s Dream Spell: Shocking Australia in the Second Innings

Australia would have walked out in the second innings thinking about putting up another strong show with the bat and putting India out of the game. However, Ajit Agarkar came up with a dream spell in the second innings. He picked up six wickets for 41 runs in his 16.2 overs and played the main role in dismissing the Aussies for just 196.

Agarkar started with the wicket of Justin Langer and followed it up with vital scalps of Ponting and Simon Katich. Later in the innings, Agarkar dismissed Andy Bichel, Jason Gillespie and Stuart McGill to ensure the tail did not wag for long. The brilliant effort by Agarkar meant that India needed to chase 230 runs in the final innings of the match. 

Rahul Dravid came up with the goods once more in the second innings. He anchored the chase, scoring 72 runs off 170 deliveries and guiding India to a memorable four-wicket win in the game.

Ajit Agarkar: The Unsung Hero of India’s Adelaide Triumph

Ajit Agarkar is one of the most underrated pacers in Indian cricket history. The brilliance he showed in this game is a testament to his skills. The current Indian selector troubled every batter with his ability to move the ball during the second innings of the game. While many remember this match for Rahul Dravid’s brilliant show with the bat, the truth is India would not have won the game if not for the destructive spell by Ajit Agarkar.