India vs Australia Flashback: India's Forgettable Tour of 2011-12

The Indian team toured Australia in 2011-12 under the leadership of MS Dhoni. The tour turned out to be a forgettable one as India lost the series 4-0. 

2011, for India, started as one of the most memorable years when they won the World Cup in April. In tests as well, the Indian team was on top of the rankings. However, in the second half of 2011, MS Dhoni led team had a horrific tour of England when they lost 4-0. Landing in Australia, the Indian team was hurt but was still given a tag of favorites considering their last two tours down under. 

Australians had a decent yet slightly off-year but were certainly not in their prime. Some of the players were young and new, while some were past their peak. Michael Clarke was made permanent captain before the start of the series.  

First test match(Melbourne), 26-30 Dec - The series began with the Boxing day test match with a full crowd at MCG. Michael Clarke opted to bat and made India field for four sessions as the Aussies scored 333 runs. Debutant Ed Cowan and Ricky Ponting made 68 & 62 runs respectively. The Indian middle-order consisting of Virender Sehwag, Sachin Tendulkar, and Rahul Dravid put the team in a strong position, however, the lower order batsmen couldn't continue with the momentum. India got bowled out for 282, losing their last seven wickets for 68 runs.

Australia, with a healthy lead, scored 240 runs with Ricky Ponting and Michael Hussey scoring half-centuries. Indian batsmen, while chasing a target of 292, completely lost the plot as they got bowled for 169. Fast bowler James Pattinson adjudged man of the match for his seven wickets. 

Brief Score: Australia - 333 & 240; India - 282 & 169

Player of the Match - James Pattinson(2/55, 4/53) 

 

Second test match(Sydney), 3-6 Jan - The new year's test began with MS  Dhoni winning the toss and opting to bat first. However, the Indian batsmen couldn't survive more than two sessions and got bowled for 191. James Pattinson once again led the charge and took four wickets. Australians started the second innings poorly as they lost three wickets for 37 runs and then didn't lose a single batsman for the next 288 runs. Aussies declared at 659 and lost only four wickets. Michael Clarke scored a triple ton while Ponting & Hussey scored 134 & 150 respectively.

India, trailing by 468 runs, were only able to score 400 runs as Ben Hilfenhaus took a five-wicket haul. The game got finished inside four days as Australia won the match by an innings and 68 runs. Clarke got the man of the match award for his career-best score of 329*. 

Brief Score: India - 191 & 400; Australia - 659/4D

Player of the Match - Michael Clarke(329*) 

 

Third test match(Perth), 13-15 Jan - Australian captain Michael Clarke opted to bowl first on a greenish pitch. His decision turned out to be a good one as India got bowled for 161 in two sessions. Ben Hilfenhaus once again took four wickets. Australia, in reply, scored 369 runs on the bank of a terrific opening partnership between David Warner and Ed Cowan. Warner slammed 180 runs at a strike rate of over 100.

Indian batsmen, trailing by 208 runs, once again failed to score more than 200 runs. India lost the match by an innings and 37 runs. Virat Kohli was the top scorer for India in both innings. David Warner got the player of the match award. The match got over in three days. 

Brief Score: India - 161 & 171; Australia - 369

Player of the Match - David Warner(180) 

 

Fourth test match(Adelaide), 24-28 - Captain MS Dhoni got injured and Virender Sehwag was named as the stand-in captain for this test match. Michael Clarke won the toss, and once again, Indians were asked to field. Aussies batted for more than 139 overs before declaring the innings at 604 runs. Michael Clarke and Ricky Ponting, both scored double centuries and were involved in a 386 run partnership. Indian batsmen once again struggled to face the Australian attack and got bundled out for 272. Virat Kohli, in this innings, scored his first test match century.

Australians, in the third innings, quickly added 167 runs on their already heavy lead and gave India a target of 500 runs. India never looked comfortable in the chase and lost the match by a huge margin of 298 runs. India lost the Border-Gavaskar trophy by 4-0. Peter Siddle got the man of the match award while Australian captain Michael Clarke was the player of the series. This series also turned out to be the last of Rahul Dravid and VVS Laxman's career. 

Brief Score: Australia - 604/7D & 167/5D; India - 272 & 201 

Player of the Match - Peter Siddle(5/49, 1/47)