India's victory in Australia in 1985 (Source: @joybhattacharj/x.com)
When cricket was first played, few could have imagined the global obsession it would spark. What began as a simple contest between two teams with bat and ball has transformed into a spectacle of rivalries, nail-biting thrills, and unforgettable drama.
As rivalries are like the secret spice that makes a curry delicious, the cricket world witnessed some of the iconic rivalries. As the thrills of India-Pakistan matches are as old as time, the India-Australia cold war often went unnoticed, but the nations delivered unreal cricket dramas over the years.
As another thrilling ODI series between India and Australia is coming up in just a few days, the excitement is already soaring high. But long before the current battles, who was the trailblazer who led India to their first-ever ODI series victory on Australian soil? Let’s explore the historic moment.
Decades of fierce battles between India and Australia
Just like a secret spice turns an ordinary dish into something unforgettable, rivalries add that irresistible flavour to cricket. When the world hype for India-Pakistan or England-Australia rivalry, the fans experience the bone-chilling rivalry between India-Australia across the formats. Despite being in the cricket world for a long time, their first meeting in the 50-over format was in 1980.
Even after the first meeting, Team India needed to wait for five long years to register their first victory on Australian soil. In between that, both sides locked horns in a bilateral ODI series, but Australia defeated India by a massive 3-0 margin, and India’s wait was on to register their first victory on Aussie soil.
Benson & Hedges World Championship makes India’s dream come true
After a heart-wrenching loss in their previous ODI series against the formidable Aussies, the Men in Blue set off for Australia in 1985 under the calm and strategic leadership of Sunil Gavaskar. Entering the tournament as underdogs, few could have predicted that this tour would become the stage for one of India’s most historic cricketing milestones on Australian soil.
In a tournament featuring seven powerhouse teams, India faced their fierce rivals, Pakistan, and the cricketing world was treated to a rollercoaster of drama. After Indian bowlers took charge while bowling first, Roger Binny led the way with a brilliant four-wicket haul.
While chasing the 184-run target, the Indian lineup crumbled under Pakistan’s lethal bowling attack, but Mohammad Azharuddin flipped the script. With Azharuddin and captain Gavaskar’s brilliance, Men in Blue registered a six-wicket victory.
Channeling their outstanding form, India faced England in their second match, and the clash was nothing short of a drama. While batting first, Kris Srikkanth, Mohammad Azharuddin, and Dilip Vengsarkar’s batting excellence gave a huge boost.
In the second innings, Ravi Shastri and Laxman Sivaramkrishnan stole the show with incisive bowling, driving India to a commanding 86-run triumph and keeping their winning momentum alive.
As the Indian side arrived in Australia for the series, the face-off with Australia was pending until they faced each other in the ninth match of the tournament. While bowling first, the Indian bowlers troubled the Aussie batters as they ended up their innings in just 163 runs. In response, Kris Srikkanth and Ravi Shastri delivered a scintillating 124-run partnership, setting the field ablaze and guiding India to a commanding nine-wicket triumph.
Melbourne hosts India’s historic triumph on Aussie soil
Even after India secured their maiden World Cup triumph in 1983, one of the biggest milestones of cricket was yet to be solved by the Indian side. After years of meeting Australia in the ODI format, the triumph on Aussie soil was still a dream for the Indian side. But as it says, longer waits bring brighter results, the Benson & Hedges World Championship final was that dream come true moment for Sunil Gavaskar and Co.
With an unbeaten streak, India faced Pakistan in the final match, and the cricket world witnessed another chapter of the classic rivalry. Bowling first, Kapil Dev and Laxman Sivaramkrishnan led the bowling attack, and India restricted the Men in Green to 176 runs.
The thrills rose in the second innings, as Team India eyed their glory and Pakistan aimed to derail them. After stitching a 103-run partnership, Srikkanth walked away scoring 67 runs. Rising to the occasion, Ravi Shastri took control, steering the Men in Blue to a historic eight-wicket triumph, their first-ever ODI series victory on Australian soil.
India’s historic maiden victory over Australia made the 1985 series unforgettable, especially for Sunil Gavaskar. As it was his last captaincy assignment, Team India delivered one of their most dominating ODI performances ever. The triumph on Australian soil became the perfect farewell, cementing his legacy as a leader who guided India to new heights.
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