The Indian cricket team is on the cusp of unique history ahead of the five-match Test series against Australia. The visitors can become the fourth Test side in history to beat Australia three times in succession in their own backyard. Team India will begin their tour with the first match being played in Perth.
Virat Kohli was the captain when India won their first-ever Test series in Australia in 2018/19. India won the first Test match in Adelaide before losing the second Test match in Perth. This was the first-ever game to be played at the Optus Stadium. Kohli’s side then beat Australia in Melbourne before the game in Sydney ended in a draw.
The next tour of Australia took place in 2020/21 with four Test matches being played. Australia bowled out India for just 36 runs to win the first Test in Adelaide which was a day-and-night affair. That was India’s lowest-ever Test score as many predicted a series whitewash for the visiting side. To make matters worse, India lost their skipper Virat Kohli who had to fly back home.
Ajinkya Rahane led the side to a famous win in MCG, followed by a gritty draw in Sydney. By the time the final Test match began in Brisbane, the visitors had to make do with the rest of the team because of injuries. Australia famously lost the Test match in Brisbane for the first time in three decades as India won the series 2-1. Rishabh Pant scored a match-winning 89 not out as India took home the game and the series by 3 wickets.
Team India stands on the cusp of unique history
England became the first team to beat Australia 3 successive times in Test cricket. The first occasion was when Arthur Shrewsbury led the side to a 3-2 win over William Murdoch’s Australian side. In the next tour which took place in 1886, England won both the Test matches. The third successive Test win came in the 1887 series, which England won by 126 runs which was the only game being played at Sydney.
The English have won two successive Test series in Australia with the first series taking place during the 1928 tour. Percy Chapman and his team beat Australia with a 4-1 margin in what was Sir Donald Bradman’s debut series. The next series in 1932 was the famous ‘Bodyline’ series which England went on to win 4-1.
During their heydays, even West Indies has beaten Australia thrice in succession to win the Test series Down Under. The first occasion was during the 1984 tour, which the visitors won 3-1 in what was Clive Lloyd’s last series as an international player. Sir Vivian Richards then led West Indies yet again to a 3-1 series win during the 1988 tour. Richie Richardson led West Indies then won the 1992 Test series with a 2-1 margin.
South Africa became the third side after England and West Indies to post three successive Test series wins in Australia. The first occasion was when Graeme Smith and his side won 2-1 during the 2008 tour. Smith was the captain again as he beat Michale Clarke led Australia 1-0 to win the series in 2012. This was the final series for legendary batter Ricky Ponting. Their third series win came in 2016 when Faf Du Plessis beat Steve Smith’s side 2-1 to earn the treble of Test series wins in Australia.