WATCH: Throwback to India defending 107 runs against Australia during the 2004 Test match in Mumbai

Team India heads into the final day of the Bengaluru Test versus New Zealand having to defend just 107 runs. The total might look very easy to achieve but considering the 5th day pitch in India turns to favor the bowlers it will be a tough ask for the Kiwi batters. 

Did you know, that India once defended 107 runs in a Test match at home? That happened in Mumbai against the world's number 1 team Australia. Mumbai hosted the game which finished in just 2 and a half days. The first day was delayed due to rain as the game marked the debut of Gautam Gambhir and Dinesh Karthik. 

This is what happened when Australia needed 107 runs to win the test match against India in Mumbai, 2004

Can India repeat this feat tomorrow in Bengaluru?pic.twitter.com/y2Y18Q4xtN

— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) October 19, 2024

Australia had already conquered the final frontier by winning the Tests in Bengaluru and Nagpur. The 2nd Test in Chennai was drawn as the final day was washed out due to rain. The game in Mumbai also saw the return of Sachin Tendulkar who had missed the first 3 games due to injury. 

Indian bowlers turn the tide against Australia 

Chasing 107 to win, Justin Langer and Matthew Hayden came out to bat high on confidence. In the very second ball of the game innings, Zaheer Khan had Langer edging behind to Karthik for a duck. Ricky Ponting joined Hayden and the pair added 24 runs from just 23 balls to give jitters to India. 

Rahul Dravid introduced spin and the game turned on its head. Murali Karthik first dismissed Ponting for 12 caught by VVS Laxman. In the last ball of the same over the left-arm spinner dismissed Damien Martyn out LBW for a duck. Harbhajan Singh got into the act dismissing Simon Katich (1) and Matthew Hayden (24). 

At that stage, Australia were placed at 48/5 still needing 59 runs to win the win. It was soon 58/7 when Murali Karthik bowled Michael Clarke for 7. Harbhajan Singh got the big wicket of Adam Gilchrist for 5. Debutant Nathan Hauritz and Jason Gillespie added 20 runs for the 8th wicket. 

The stand was broken when veteran star Anil Kumble had Hauritz out for 15 off 18 balls. Michael Kasprowicz came out to bat and added 15 runs for the 9th wicket with Gillespie. Indian players and the fans in Mumbai started to grow anxious with each passing run. 

The win came when Harbhajan Singh got the scalps of Kasprowicz and McGrath to signal a famous win. India won the game by 13 runs to end the series with a 2-1 margin and avoid a whitewash. Murali Kartik was named the player of the game as he picked 7/96 in the game.