After Saurav Ganguly’s answer to Australia’s Chin-Music in First Test and Dravid Heroics at Adelaide in Second Test. We were 1-0 ahead in the 4 Test match series. The cricket caravan went to Melbourne (MCC) for the Boxing Day Test match Dec 26th, 2003.

Sehwag’s swashbuckling 196 on boxing day

India batted first and scored 366/10 with Sehwag playing swashbuckling innings scoring 195 and got out trying to hit a Six to reach to a Double Century. According to me this was the turning point of the Match . After he got out, our batsmen collapsed on the second day and lost the whole momentum provided by Virender Sehwag. No other batsmen crossed50 and rahul dravid being the second highest scorer of that innings at 49.

Then Australia piled up 558 runs with Ricky Pointing Scoring his second double century of the series 257 and Mathew Hayden scored 136.

India didn’t play well in the second innings and succumbed to pressure and were bundled out for 286. Australia requiring poultry total of 95 runs to win the match. They chased off 97/1 in style there by winning the match and leveling the Test series.

Sehwag’s 195 at Melbourne Cricket Ground Video:

Check Border-Gavaskar Trophy, 2003-04, 3rd Test, India v Australia Score Card

I will come up with two more posts giving a recap of India’s Tour of Australia 2003-04 Series.

Till then check the articles below:

Sachin Tendulkar’s 41, 30 hundreds are for winning cause
Shane Warne Interview by Parkinson