The rivalry is back...

I'm not sure why purists keep complaining that test match cricket is dying or losing patronage. In fact in recent years, the patronage for test cricket has increased dramatically (TRP ratings clearly indicate this). I myself turned into a crazy fan of test cricket since the incredible Ind-Aus series which India won in 2001. I've been watching test cricket with ever since with great interest and thanks to the India's excellent performance overseas since then, my passion for test cricket just kept getting bigger.

Since the historic 2001 series, test cricket between India and Australia have been quite enthralling. India toured Australia in 2003 and shook the lion in its own den. During this series, Australia looked like winning just one test which they eventually won. India was undoubtedly the better side and played some fantastic cricket. Indian team deserved a 2-1 victory, but had to be content with series draw (1-1) due to some bad umpiring in the final test.

Australia toured India again in 2004 and this the least engaging series in their recent meetings. Australia outplayed India and won a test series in India after 36 long years. (India won a test, but the victory came after the series was already decided).

After a long gap, Indians toured for another series down under. While they were clearly outplayed in the first match, they came back quite well at Sydney. Unfortunately, umpires screwed it up once again to hand over the victory to the Australians who were criticized by their own country men for poor sportsmanship in that test. And two weeks later India won the Perth test in a dramatic fashion. The final test was just a dud. 1-1 should have been a fair result, but again Australian scraped through.

Since the 2001 series, India and Australia have played 15 tests with Australia winning 6 and India winning 5. Quite close, isn't it ?!

India and Australia are locking horns again in the subcontinent. The first test match at Bangalore has set the tone for rest of the series. Even though it ended in a draw, it was a fantastic test match with many twists. At the end of the 4th day, all three results were possible. IMO, Bhajji-Zaheer partnership in India's first innings was the turning point that saved the test for India. A possibility of an Indian win was thrown open when India had Australia reeling at 128/5 in the second innings. But some ordinary captaincy from Kumble let the advantage slip away.

The Mohali test starts tomorrow. India has never lost a match here for quite a long time and I'm expecting them to win.One thing is for sure, whoever wins this series, they are not going to win it easy. My instincts say that the prince is going to retire in style and the turbunator will spin the magic. Let's keep watching..