5 times India won an overseas Test despite conceding the first innings lead

#2 Adelaide – 2003

Rahul Dravid was simply superb in that Adelaide Test in 2003.

After playing a thrilling series in 2001 in India, and even though India had performed poorly in Australia on their previous tours, the 2003-04 Australia-India series down tour was one of the most anticipated ones.

India started the tour with a draw at the Gabba in Brisbane. At Adelaide (in the second Test), Australia batted first and posted a mammoth 556 in their first innings. Ricky Ponting scored a magnificent 242 as the Aussie batting dominated the Indian bowling attack.

In reply, India slipped to 85/4 and a familiar overseas struggled beckoned. However, Aussie tormentors VVS Laxman and Rahul Dravid had other ideas. They forged a superb 303-run partnership for the 5th wicket to get India back in the game. VVS Laxman scored 148, but Rahul Dravid converted his hundred into a memorable double ton (233). The two knocks helped India get to 523.

In the second innings, with a lead of 33 runs, Australia were still ahead on the fourth day when they started their second innings. But an inspired spell from Ajit Agarkar (6/41) helped India bowl Australia out for 196.

Chasing 230, it was Rahul Dravid once again who top-scored and guided India to a famous win down under (their first since 1981).

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)