Top 3 Greatest Indian Test partnerships in Australia

India's tours to Australia have often been seen as most important to Indian fans due to the heated rivalry between the teams both on and off the field with fiery characters from both sides elevating their game to the next level and series of controversies that have fueled it further. There have also been many classic matches for over 30 years.

While they have often ended in disappointment to India and its fans on Aussie soil, each tour and Tests has had its fair share of highlights and great moments that have eventually acted as building blocks to them finally conquering the Australian shores this time.

Test victories at Australia or anywhere overseas often come on the back of huge partnerships that set up the platform for the bowlers to deliver the knock out punch. In that regards, Team India has been blessed with some of the greatest batting partnerships such as Tendulkar-Dravid, Dravid-Laxman, Tendulkar- Laxman, Kohli- Rahane, etc. who have a knack of building monumental partnerships helping India put up insurmountable totals.

On the wake of the recently concluded historic series win in Australia, we look at 3 of the greatest partnerships in Australia by Indian pair that had an impact on the result of the match either victory, draw or impact in subsequent tours. It is also worth remembering that for most of these tours, the Australians have had the best attack and team, especially at home.

Some of the honorable mentions include the Ganguly - Laxman partnership in the 1st Test of the 2003 series, the Sachin - Harbhajan partnership at Sydney 2008, Sachin - Dravid partnership at Perth, 2008, Pant - Jadeja partnership at SCG, 2018 and the Kohli - Pujara partnership at MCG, 2018.

#1 Dravid - Laxman 303 vs Australia, Adelaide 2003

VVS Laxman- Rahul Dravid put on 303 runs to help India win the famous Adelaide test in 2003

With the series locked at 0-0 entering the 2nd test of the Border Gavaskar trophy in Australia, Australia quickly marched ahead making a mammoth 556 in the first innings.

India started their reply well before a typical collapse overseas saw them placed a precarious 85-4 staring down the barrel of an innings defeat. With the Aussies smelling blood, VVS Laxman joined Rahul Dravid and the pair put on 303 for the 5th wicket in one of the greatest partnerships ever against the World's best team then to single-handedly bring India back from a crushing defeat to near parity in the first innings. Dravid went on to score a magnificent 233 while VVS managed a majestic 148.

India went on to win the historic match in the second innings on the back of Ajit Agarkar's 6 wicket haul and the brilliance of Rahul Dravid again in the 4th innings while facing a daunting 233 run chase on the final day.

It was the first innings partnership between Dravid and Laxman that set up what is till date perhaps India's greatest Overseas win ever.

#2 Sachin - Laxman 353, 4th Test, Sydney 2003

Sachin and Laxman forge a huge 350+ run partnership that ensures India retain the Border Gavaskar Trophy

One of the most intriguing series entered its finale at Sydney with the series locked at one apiece. India trying to make history by winning or drawing the series in Australia which would also ensure they retain the Border Gavaskar trophy, batted first after winning the toss.

With the match evenly poised at 194-3, Laxman joined an out of form Sachin and the pair went on and on to put on a 353 run partnership that demoralized the mighty Aussies on their home turf and ensured India had the Border Gavaskar trophy retained, while also putting the team in pole position to go for an unimaginable Series win.

Tendulkar scored 241 and Laxman 178 as India posted a gigantic 705-7 in their first innings putting the match beyond the reach of Australia and helping India earn a series draw against Australia in Australia when they were the outright superpower of World cricket.

Till date, it perhaps remains India's greatest test achievement.

#3 Kohli- Rahane 262 vs Australia, MCG 2014

Kohli and Rahane at their counter-attacking best flaying the Aussies at the G

Entering the 3rd test vs Australia in 2014-15 India already trailed the 4 test series 2-0. Playing for pride against an Aussie team trying to bully a young and transitional Indian team, India faced an uphill task as Australia plundered the Indians to 530 in the first innings.

With India reduced to 147-3 in reply, the onus was on the Captain - Vice Captain duo of Kohli and Rahane. Both batsmen took the counter-attacking approach that was refreshing and inspiring to watch for the packed house at the MCG and put on a 250+ run partnership that was awe-inspiring to the eye with stroke play of the highest quality as they took India to 465 in the first innings that eventually drew the match.

Although it may have not had any consequence to the series result, It was perhaps the turnaround in showing this new Indian team was going to fight fire with fire no matter the opposition home or away and the fruits of which were seen in the recently concluded series win in Australia that completed the full circle started in this match.