5 best overseas Test comebacks by the Indian team

#3 Adelaide, 2003

Rahul Dravid celebrates after scoring the winning runs

In the last decade of the 20th century, India lost eight Test matches out of the nine they played in Australia. And when they toured in 2003/04, very few gave them a chance. This 2003/04 series was also Steve Waugh’s last one.

India were doing well under Sourav Ganguly. Thus, this series was a chance for them to show their worth overseas. The first Test in Brisbane ended in a draw and in the second Test, Australia won the toss and batted first on a very good batting surface.

On the first day, the hosts racked up a staggering 400 runs and lost only 5 wickets. On the second day, Australia were bowled out for a mammoth 556. Ricky Ponting scored a majestic 242 and India, in reply, were reduced to 85/4 and it looked like they would be bowled out cheaply.

However, the Aussies were reminded of the 2001 Kolkata Test again as Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman came together and dominated the Australian attack with a 303-run partnership for the fifth wicket. Unlike 2001, this time Dravid was the main scorer while Laxman (who scored 148) played second fiddle. After the latter’s dismissal, Dravid continued to bat with authority and scored a scintillating 233 to help India reach 523.

When Australia’s second innings started, it was already day four and a draw looked the likely result. However, an inspired spell from Ajit Agarkar (6/41) kept Australia down to 196 in their second essay. Hence, with a target of 230, India had an excellent chance of winning a Test match in Australia after 25 years. And it was Dravid once again who scored an unbeaten 72 to guide India to a famous win.

Brief Scores: Australia 556 (Ponting 242, Katich 75, Kumble 5/154) and 196 (Gilchrist 43, Waugh 42, Agarkar 6/41, Tendulkar 2/36) lost to India 523 (Dravid 233, Laxman 148, Bichel 4/118, Katich 2/59) and 233 for 6 (Dravid 72*, Sehwag 47, Katich 2/22)