In the long and storied history of Test cricket, certain matches transcend mere statistics, etching themselves into legend. The 1052nd Test match played between India and Australia in September 1986 at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai (then Madras), was one such contest. It was only the second tied Test in history, standing alongside the iconic Brisbane encounter of 1960-61. Like its predecessor, this match reached a dramatic climax with a single ball remaining, underscoring the razor-thin margins that separate triumph from heartbreak in the purest format of the game.
Australia’s Early Dominance and Jones’ Marathon Knock
As the match began, Australia asserted their dominance unequivocally. The first day ended with the visitors well placed at 211 for 2, vice-captain David Boon setting the stage with a sublime century—his third in four Tests against India. But it was the second day that witnessed an innings of rare brilliance and remarkable resilience.
Dean Jones recalled to the Australian side after nearly three years, played an unforgettable knock of 210 runs, a record for an Australian in India at the time. The innings was not just a testament to his batting skill but also his physical endurance, as he battled extreme heat and dehydration. His first century came in 335 minutes, and his second in just 164, with 27 fours and two sixes punctuating a masterclass in concentration and strokeplay. The conditions took such a toll that Jones suffered severe cramps and nausea, eventually requiring hospitalization and a saline drip to recover.
Captain Allan Border further solidified Australia’s position with a well-crafted 106, his 19th Test century. Benefiting from three dropped catches—twice by Kapil Dev and once by substitute Laxman Sivaramakrishnan—Border made the most of his opportunities. His 178-run partnership with Jones set a new fourth-wicket record against India, surpassing Neil Harvey and Sam Loxton’s previous best of 159.
With contributions from Ray Bright (30) and Greg Ritchie (41), Australia piled up a daunting 574 before declaring on the third morning. At that stage, an Australian victory seemed the only conceivable outcome.
Kapil Dev’s Counterattack and India’s Gritty Resistance
India, missing their seasoned batsman Dilip Vengsarkar due to a back injury, faced an uphill battle. Their response began with characteristic aggression from Kris Srikkanth, who raced to 50 in just 55 minutes. But Australia struck back quickly, removing both Srikkanth and Mohinder Amarnath in successive deliveries. The middle order, led by Mohammad Azharuddin, attempted to steady the ship, but none could convert their starts into a match-defining innings.
The standout performer was India’s captain, Kapil Dev. His counterattacking century (119) kept Indian hopes flickering amidst adversity. He played with controlled aggression, smashing 21 boundaries, 11 of them in his second fifty. Supported ably by Chetan Sharma (31) and Madan Lal (32), Kapil Dev orchestrated a recovery that saw India post 397, averting the follow-on and keeping them in the contest.
By the end of the fourth day, Australia had reached 170 for 5, setting the stage for a potential declaration.
The Dramatic Chase: Hope, Collapse, and the Final Ball Thriller
Cricket is a game of uncertainties, and Border’s decision to declare at the overnight score left India needing 348 runs to win on the final day. It was a challenging but not impossible target, and India began their chase with measured confidence.
Sunil Gavaskar, playing his 100th consecutive Test, brought all his experience to bear, anchoring the innings with a composed 90. He found an able partner in Amarnath, and by tea, India stood at 193 for 2, requiring 155 more runs from 30 overs—a tantalizingly achievable target.
However, the game’s script took an unexpected turn. Gavaskar’s dismissal at 251 proved pivotal, and within two runs, India lost Kapil Dev as well. Yet, India’s hopes remained alive, thanks to responsible knocks from Azharuddin (42) and wicketkeeper Kiran More (39). Ravi Shastri, playing a mature innings, hit two crucial sixes off Greg Matthews to keep the chase on course.
With just 17 runs needed and four wickets in hand, an Indian victory seemed inevitable. But the drama was far from over. Bright and Matthews spun a web, triggering a collapse. Chetan Sharma perished attempting a boundary, More fell for a duck, and Yadav was bowled playing an uncertain stroke. India were now nine down with four runs needed.
Enter Maninder Singh, a tailender with minimal batting credentials. The equation stood at four runs required with the final over to be bowled. Shastri, maintaining his composure, took a two, followed by a single to level the scores. Victory—or an unprecedented second tie—rested on Maninder’s shoulders.
With three balls left, the tension was unbearable. The first delivery was safely negotiated. But on the second, Maninder played back to a sharply turning delivery from Matthews and was struck on the pads—lbw! The Australians erupted in jubilation, knowing they had secured only the second-tied Test in history. Unlike Brisbane, where confusion reigned, here there was no ambiguity—both teams knew what had just transpired.
A Test of Tempers and Controversies
Despite its historic significance, the match was not without controversy. The tension of the final day saw frequent flare-ups, with Border engaging in a heated argument with umpire Dotiwala. Bright, Matthews, and wicketkeeper Tim Zoehrer also disputed decisions. On India’s side, emotions ran high as well—Srikkanth reacted angrily to close fielder Bright, while Maninder Singh charged 40 yards to confront Jones after dismissing him in the second innings.
The high-stakes nature of the contest inevitably led to frayed tempers, but it also underscored the fiercely competitive spirit in which the match was played.
Legacy: A Match for the Ages
In the decades since this tied Test has remained one of the most memorable encounters in cricket history. It showcased Test cricket at its best—attritional battles, brilliant individual performances, tactical intrigue, and a finish that left spectators breathless.
More than just a statistical anomaly, this match exemplified the essence of Test cricket: a format where patience, resilience, and skill are tested over five gruelling days, often leading to climaxes more thrilling than any scripted drama.
For India, the tie was a bittersweet moment—a historic achievement, but also a missed opportunity. For Australia, it was a testament to their tenacity and the brilliance of their spinners, who took all 10 wickets in the final innings.
In Chennai, in 1986, cricket witnessed one of its most extraordinary spectacles—one that, decades later, still evokes awe and admiration. The second-tied Test was not just a moment in history; it was a celebration of the sport’s unpredictability, where no result is final until the last ball is bowled.
Thank You
Faisal Caesar
No comments:
Post a Comment