On a sweltering, humid Monday at Chepauk, Chennai, cricket witnessed one of its most dramatic Test match conclusions. A crowd of 30,000 spectators bore witness to only the second-tied Test in cricket history, with Australia featuring in both. It was an outcome scarcely imaginable after four days of a match that oscillated wildly between dominance, grit, and moments of individual brilliance.
The Australians, led by Allan Border, had dictated the early
proceedings, amassing their highest Test total on Indian soil—a monumental 574
in 742 minutes. David Boon set the tone with a commanding century, his third
against India, while Dean Jones played an innings for the ages. Battling
oppressive conditions, dehydration, and cramps, Jones crafted a heroic double
century, Australia’s first in India, laced with 27 fours and two sixes. His
8-hour marathon was complemented by a gritty century from Border himself,
despite early lives handed to him by the Indian fielders.
The Indian response faltered initially, but Kapil Dev rose
above the gloom. His counterattacking century, a breathtaking 119 off 109 balls
with 21 boundaries, not only avoided the follow-on but also rekindled India’s
fighting spirit. Yet, as Australia declared their second innings at 170 for
five, setting India a daunting 348 for victory in 87 overs, few anticipated the
epic unfolding that was to come.
Resurrection and
Resolve: India’s Chase Begins
News of India’s daring pursuit spread like wildfire, and the
Chepauk stands swelled with eager spectators. The chase was both improbable and
tantalizing, hinging on courage and skill. Sunil Gavaskar, the master
tactician, anchored the innings with a sublime 90. His partnership with
Mohinder Amarnath and later Mohammad Azharuddin injected belief into a nation
holding its collective breath.
At 193 for two at tea, with 155 needed from 30 overs,
victory seemed within reach. Gavaskar’s dismissal, however, off an aerial drive
to Ray Bright, handed Australia a glimmer of hope. The equation tightened, and
the pressure mounted. Chandrakant Pandit, stepping into Dilip Vengsarkar’s
shoes, produced a deft 39, ensuring the momentum didn’t falter. But when
Azharuddin and Kapil Dev fell in quick succession, the scales tilted once more.
The Final Act:
Triumph and Tragedy
Ravi Shastri, calm amidst chaos, played an innings of rare
brilliance under monumental pressure. Mixing deft placement with audacious
sixes off Greg Matthews, he shepherded India closer to an unlikely triumph.
Yet, the lower order wobbled. Chetan Sharma’s impetuous shot and Kiran More’s
dismissal left India teetering at 334 for eight.
The tension was palpable as Shivlal Yadav partnered with Shastri.
Yadav’s audacious six off Bright reignited hope, but his ill-timed sweep left
Maninder Singh, India’s No. 11, with the unenviable task of scoring four runs
with three balls remaining. The nation held its breath. Matthews, relentless
and resolute, trapped Maninder LBW with the penultimate ball of the match. The
Australians erupted in jubilation as Chepauk fell into stunned silence.
The Legacy of the Tie
This Test was more than a match—it was a microcosm of
cricket’s unpredictable charm. For Greg Matthews, who bowled a herculean 40
overs on the final day for match figures of 10 wickets, it was a vindication of
skill and endurance. For Kapil Dev, it was heartbreak; his team had come
tantalizingly close to glory. Ravi Shastri’s bat reportedly flew across the
dressing room in frustration, but his 48 off 40 balls remains one of Indian
cricket’s most cherished performances.
The tie at Chepauk, like its Brisbane predecessor in 1960,
reaffirmed the magic of Test cricket. Both matches ended with the teams scoring
identical aggregates—742 runs apiece—a poetic symmetry that underscores the
sport's drama. Allan Border, Bobby Simpson, and their men etched their names into
cricketing folklore, alongside their Indian counterparts, in a match that transcended
victory and defeat.
Kapil Dev, reflecting on the occasion, aptly summed up the sentiment: "It is okay to have been part of history, but we would have liked to win the match."
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
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