View source for Australian cricket team in India in 2000 01

{{Short description|International cricket tour}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=July 2022}}
{{Use Australian English|date=July 2022}}
{{Infobox cricket tour
| series_name              = Australian cricket team in India in 2001
| team1_image              = Flag of Australia.svg
| team1_name               = Australia
| team2_image              = Flag of India.svg
| team2_name               = India
| from_date                = 17 February 2001
| to_date                  = 6 April 2001
| team1_captain            = [[Steve Waugh]]
| team2_captain            = [[Sourav Ganguly]]
| no_of_tests              = 3
| team1_tests_won          = 1
| team2_tests_won          = 2
| team1_tests_most_runs    = [[Matthew Hayden]] (549)
| team2_tests_most_runs    = [[V. V. S. Laxman|VVS Laxman]] (503)
| team1_tests_most_wickets = [[Glenn McGrath]] (17)
| team2_tests_most_wickets = [[Harbhajan Singh]] (32)
| player_of_test_series    = [[Harbhajan Singh]] (Ind)
| no_of_ODIs               = 5
| team1_ODIs_won           = 3
| team2_ODIs_won           = 2
| team1_ODIs_most_runs     = [[Matthew Hayden]] (303)
| team2_ODIs_most_runs     = [[V. V. S. Laxman|VVS Laxman]] (291)
| team1_ODIs_most_wickets  = [[Glenn McGrath]] (10)
| team2_ODIs_most_wickets  = [[Javagal Srinath]] (9)
| player_of_ODI_series     = [[Matthew Hayden]] (Aus)
}}

The '''[[Australian cricket team]]''' toured [[Indian national cricket team|India]] from February to April 2001 for a three-[[Test cricket|Test]] series and a five-match [[One-Day International|ODI]] series. The series is considered one of India's finest, as they secured victory against Australia in the Test series, in the process breaking Australia's 16-match win streak in Tests, and being the third side to win a Test match after being asked to follow-on during the match in [[Kolkata]]. The Kolkata match has been widely regarded as one of the greatest matches in the sport's history.

== Background ==
The [[Indian cricket team]] at the time was depleted, without leading [[leg spin]]ner [[Anil Kumble]]. On the spinning tracks of India, this left them at a disadvantage, with the other spinners who had filled the void during the earlier part of the season being [[Sunil Joshi]], [[Sarandeep Singh]] and [[Murali Kartik]], all having played fewer than 10 Tests each.<ref>{{cite web| title =India in Bangladesh, 2000/01 Test Match Averages | url=http://aus.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2000-01/IND_IN_BDESH/IND_IN_BDESH_NOV2000_TEST_AVS.html| publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=2007-02-28}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| title = Zimbabwe in India, 2000/01 Test Series Averages| url=http://aus.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2000-01/ZIM_IN_IND/STATS/ZIM_IN_IND_NOV-DEC2000_TEST_AVS.html|publisher=ESPNcricinfo|access-date=2007-02-28}}</ref>

[[Harbhajan Singh]], whose previous best Test figures were only 3/30, was entrusted with a heavy burden, having been recalled at the behest of captain [[Sourav Ganguly]] after previous instances of indiscipline. He was to lead the spin attack against an Australian team which had set a world record with 16 consecutive Test victories, and was searching for its first series victory on Indian soil [[Australian cricket team in Ceylon and India in 1969-70|since 1969]].<ref name="Bose"/> In the first Test, his spinning partner was [[Rahul Sanghvi]], a debutant.

== Squads ==
{| class="wikitable" style="text-align:center; margin:auto"
! colspan="2" |{{cr|IND}}
! colspan="2" |{{cr|AUS}}
|-
!Tests<ref>{{Cite web |title=Hirwani and Mongia recalled for Australia Test |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/hirwani-and-mongia-recalled-for-australia-test-99500 |access-date=2023-09-12 |work=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Four changes in Indian team for Kolkata Test |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/four-changes-in-indian-team-for-kolkata-test-104720 |access-date=2023-09-12 |work=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Four changes in Indian squad for final Test |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/four-changes-in-indian-squad-for-final-test-105103 |access-date=2023-09-12 |work=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}</ref>
!ODIs<ref>{{Cite web |title=Dinesh Mongia, Robin Singh named in Indian ODI squad |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/dinesh-mongia-robin-singh-named-in-indian-odi-squad-105239 |access-date=2023-09-12 |work=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Sarandeep replaces Joshi for final two one-dayers |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/sarandeep-replaces-joshi-for-final-two-one-dayers-105711 |access-date=2023-09-12 |work=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}</ref>
!Tests<ref>{{Cite web |title=Australian squad for India |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/australian-squad-for-india-98991 |access-date=2023-09-12 |work=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}</ref>
!ODIs<ref>{{Cite web |title=Australian one-day international squad for India announced |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/australian-one-day-international-squad-for-india-announced-104859 |access-date=2023-09-12 |work=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}</ref>
|- style="vertical-align:top"
|
* [[Sourav Ganguly]] ([[Captain (cricket)|c]])
* [[Rahul Dravid]] ([[Captain (cricket)|vc]])
* [[Sadagoppan Ramesh]]
* [[Shiv Sunder Das]]
* [[Sachin Tendulkar]]
* [[VVS Laxman]]
* [[Hemang Badani]]
* [[Nayan Mongia]] ([[Wicket-keeper|wk]])
* [[Sameer Dighe]] ([[Wicket-keeper|wk]])
* [[Javagal Srinath]]
* [[Zaheer Khan]]
* [[Ajit Agarkar]]
* [[Rahul Sanghvi]]
* [[Harbhajan Singh]]
* [[Narendra Hirwani]]
* [[Venkatesh Prasad]]
* [[Ashish Nehra]]
* [[Sarandeep Singh]]
* [[Venkatapathy Raju]]
* [[Sairaj Bahutule]]
* [[Nilesh Kulkarni]]
|
* [[Sourav Ganguly]] ([[Captain (cricket)|c]])
* [[Rahul Dravid]] ([[Captain (cricket)|vc]])
* [[Sachin Tendulkar]]
* [[VVS Laxman]]
* [[Virender Sehwag]]
* [[Hemang Badani]]
* [[Dinesh Mongia]]
* [[Vijay Dahiya]] ([[Wicket-keeper|wk]])
* [[Robin Singh (cricketer)|Robin Singh]]
* [[Sunil Joshi]]
* [[Harbhajan Singh]]
* [[Javagal Srinath]]
* [[Zaheer Khan]]
* [[Ajit Agarkar]]
* [[Sarandeep Singh]]
|
* [[Steve Waugh]] ([[Captain (cricket)|c]])
* [[Adam Gilchrist]] ([[Captain (cricket)|vc]])
* [[Damien Fleming]]
* [[Jason Gillespie]]
* [[Matthew Hayden]]
* [[Michael Kasprowicz]]
* [[Justin Langer]]
* [[Damien Martyn]]
* [[Glenn McGrath]]
* [[Colin Miller (cricketer)|Colin Miller]]
* [[Ricky Ponting]]
* [[Michael Slater]]
* [[Shane Warne]]
* [[Mark Waugh]]
|
* [[Steve Waugh]] ([[Captain (cricket)|c]])
* [[Adam Gilchrist]] ([[Captain (cricket)|vc]])
* [[Michael Bevan]]
* [[Nathan Bracken]]
* [[Damien Fleming]]
* [[Jason Gillespie]]
* [[Ian Harvey]]
* [[Darren Lehmann]]
* [[Matthew Hayden]]
* [[Damien Martyn]]
* [[Glenn McGrath]]
* [[Ricky Ponting]]
* [[Shane Warne]]
* [[Mark Waugh]]
|}

==Tour matches==
===Three-day: India A v Australians===

{{Test match
| date = 17–19 February 2001
| team1 = {{cr-rt|AUS|name=Australians}}
| team2 = {{cricon|IND}} [[India A cricket team|India A]]
| score-team1-inns1 = 291 (69.1 overs)
| runs-team1-inns1 = [[Michael Kasprowicz]] 92 (114)
| wickets-team1-inns1 = [[Rahul Sanghvi]] 5/40 (18.1 overs)
| score-team2-inns1 = 368 (95 overs)
| runs-team2-inns1 = [[Sadagoppan Ramesh]] 101 (158)
| wickets-team2-inns1 = [[Colin Miller (cricketer)|Colin Miller]] 6/90 (32 overs)
| score-team1-inns2 = 365/9 (95.1 overs)
| runs-team1-inns2 = [[Justin Langer]] 115 (157)
| wickets-team1-inns2 = [[Harbhajan Singh]] 3/81 (20 overs)
| score-team2-inns2 = 
| runs-team2-inns2 = 
| wickets-team2-inns2 = 
| result = Match drawn
| report = [https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/australia-tour-of-india-2000-01-61425/india-a-vs-australians-99366/full-scorecard Scorecard]
| venue = [[Vidarbha Cricket Association Ground]], [[Nagpur]]
| umpires = [[B. K. Sadashiva]] ([[India|Ind]]) and [[SV Ramani]] ([[India|Ind]])
| motm = 
| toss = Australians won the toss and elected to bat.
| notes = 
}}

===Three-day: Mumbai v Australians===

{{Test match
| date = 22–24 February 2001
| team1 = [[Mumbai cricket team|Mumbai]]
| team2 = {{cr|AUS|name=Australians}}
| score-team1-inns1 = 328/9[[Declaration and forfeiture|d]] (94 overs)
| runs-team1-inns1 = [[Sameer Dighe]] 84 (178)
| wickets-team1-inns1 = [[Glenn McGrath]] 3/46 (19 overs)
| score-team2-inns1 = 203 (64.3 overs)
| runs-team2-inns1 = [[Steve Waugh]] 106 (162)
| wickets-team2-inns1 = [[Nilesh Kulkarni]] 4/39 (25 overs)
| score-team1-inns2 = 191/8[[Declaration and forfeiture|d]] (67.3 overs)
| runs-team1-inns2 = [[Vinayak Mane]] 57 (108)
| wickets-team1-inns2 = [[Shane Warne]] 7/56 (21.3 overs)
| score-team2-inns2 = 141/6 (55 overs)
| runs-team2-inns2 = [[Steve Waugh]] 34* (101)
| wickets-team2-inns2 = [[Sairaj Bahutule]] 4/38 (15 overs)
| result = Match drawn
| report = [https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/australia-tour-of-india-2000-01-61425/mumbai-vs-australians-99545/full-scorecard Scorecard]
| venue = [[Brabourne Stadium]], [[Mumbai]]
| umpires = [[Amiesh Saheba]] ([[India|Ind]]) and [[MS Mahal]] ([[India|Ind]])
| motm = 
| toss = Mumbai won the toss and elected to bat.
| notes = 
}}

===Three-day: Indian Board President's XI v Australians===

{{Test match
| date = 6–8 March 2001
| team1 = {{cr-rt|AUS|name=Australians}}
| team2 = [[Board President's XI (India)|Indian Board President's XI]]
| score-team1-inns1 = 451 (100 overs)
| runs-team1-inns1 = [[Steve Waugh]] 109 (165)
| wickets-team1-inns1 = [[Sarandeep Singh]] 5/114 (26 overs)
| score-team2-inns1 = 221 (66.4 overs)
| runs-team2-inns1 = [[Dinesh Mongia]] 66 (107)
| wickets-team2-inns1 = [[Michael Kasprowicz]] 3/68 (18 overs)
| score-team1-inns2 = 461/7 (93 overs)
| runs-team1-inns2 = [[Mark Waugh]] 164 (181)
| wickets-team1-inns2 = [[Narendra Hirwani]] 5/168 (38 overs)
| score-team2-inns2 = 
| runs-team2-inns2 = 
| wickets-team2-inns2 = 
| result = Match drawn
| report = [https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/australia-tour-of-india-2000-01-61425/indian-board-president-s-xi-vs-australians-104687/full-scorecard Scorecard]
| venue = [[Arun Jaitley Cricket Stadium|Feroz Shah Kotla]], [[Delhi]]
| umpires = [[Sanjeeva Rao]] ([[India|Ind]]) and [[Subrata Banerjee]] ([[India|Ind]])
| motm = 
| toss = Australians won the toss and elected to bat.
| notes = 
}}

===40-over match: India XI v Australians===

{{Limited overs matches
| date = 23 March 2001
| time =
| team1 = {{cr-rt|IND|name=India XI}}
| score1 = 338/8 (40 overs)
| score2 = 184 (27.1 overs)
| team2 = {{cr|AUS|name=Australians}}
| runs1 = [[Sachin Tendulkar]] 93 (49)
| wickets1 = Jock Campbell 2/3 (1 over)
| runs2 = [[Michael Bevan]] 58 (35)
| wickets2 = [[Virender Sehwag]] 3/19 (3 overs)
| result = India XI won by 154 runs
| report = [https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/australia-tour-of-india-2000-01-61425/india-xi-vs-australians-105439/full-scorecard Scorecard]
| venue = [[M. A. Chidambaram Stadium]], [[Chepauk]], [[Chennai]]
| umpires = [[KG Lakshminarayan]] ([[India|Ind]]) and [[KR Shankar]] ([[India|Ind]])
| motm = 
| toss = India XI won the toss and elected to field.
| rain = 
| notes = 
}}

The match was played for the benefit of the '[[2001 Gujarat earthquake|Gujarat Earthquake Victims]]' and sponsored by [[Siyaram Silk Mills|Siyaram's]]. All the proceeds from this benefit match went to the [[Gujarat]] Relief Fund. In another noble gesture, all district associations affiliated with the [[Tamil Nadu Cricket Association]] donated [[Indian rupee sign|₹]]110,000 ([[United States dollar|US$]]118,721.90) to the relief fund.<ref>{{Cite web |title=India XI beat Australia XI to win Siyaram's Cup |url=https://www.espncricinfo.com/series/australia-tour-of-india-2000-01-61425/india-xi-vs-australians-105439/match-report |access-date=2023-09-04 |work=ESPNcricinfo |language=en}}</ref>

== Test series ==

=== First Test ===
{{Test match
| date = 27 February–3 March 2001
| team1 = {{cr-rt|IND}}
| team2 = {{cr|AUS}}

| score-team1-inns1 = 176 (71.3 overs)
| runs-team1-inns1 = [[Sachin Tendulkar]] 76 (114)
| wickets-team1-inns1 = [[Shane Warne]] 4/47 (22 overs)

| score-team2-inns1 = 349 (73.2 overs)
| runs-team2-inns1 = [[Adam Gilchrist]] 122 (112)
| wickets-team2-inns1 = [[Harbhajan Singh]] 4/121 (28 overs)

| score-team1-inns2 = 219 (94.1 overs)
| runs-team1-inns2 = [[Sachin Tendulkar]] 65 (107)
| wickets-team1-inns2 = [[Mark Waugh]] 3/40 (15 overs)

| score-team2-inns2 = 47/0 (7 overs)
| runs-team2-inns2 = [[Matthew Hayden]] 28[[Not out|*]] (21)
| wickets-team2-inns2 =

| result = Australia won by 10 wickets
| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63919.html Scorecard]
| venue = [[Wankhede Stadium]], [[Mumbai]]
| umpires = [[David Shepherd (umpire)|David Shepherd]] and [[Srinivas Venkataraghavan]]
| motm = [[Adam Gilchrist]] (Aus)
| toss = Australia won the toss and elected to field.
}}
The start of the First Test in [[Mumbai]] was overshadowed by the death of [[Sir Donald Bradman]], universally regarded as the greatest batsman in cricket history. After a minute's silence, Australian captain [[Steve Waugh]] won the toss and elected to field on a pitch offering assistance to the bowling team. Ganguly stated that he would have done likewise. The Australian fast bowlers quickly removed India's top order, with both openers and [[Rahul Dravid]] removed in the first hour's play with only 31 runs scored. After Ganguly was removed with the score on 55, the Indians progressed to be 4/62 at lunch.<ref name="t1"/> [[Sachin Tendulkar]] lead a counterattack in the hour after lunch, scoring 53 runs in 53 balls to take the score to 4/130 before [[V. V. S. Laxman]] was removed. The innings lost momentum when Tendulkar was dismissed for 76, leaving the score at 6/139. India were eventually bowled out in the final session for 176. [[Shane Warne]] took 4/47 while [[Glenn McGrath]] managed 3/19. In reply, Australia reached 1/49 at stumps, losing [[Michael Slater]].<ref name="t1"/>

Australia made steady progress on the second day to reach 1/71, when Harbhajan dismissed [[Justin Langer]]. [[Mark Waugh]], the new batsman, was dismissed for a [[duck (cricket)|golden duck]] after Ganguly took a one-handed close-range diving catch from the next delivery. Sanghvi dismissed Steve Waugh, and Harbhajan removed [[Ricky Ponting]] for a duck in the following over to reduce Australia to 5/99 after the first-hour play, with Harbhajan taking a spell of 3/8. Australian wicketkeeper [[Adam Gilchrist]] joined opener [[Matthew Hayden]] at the crease, who had just reached 50. After the break, Gilchrist led a counterattack, scoring 36 from 39 balls, and Australia reached lunch at 5/170, scoring 71 runs in the second hour. The batting pace increased after lunch, with Gilchrist moving from 50 to 100 in just 29 balls. 96 runs were added in the hour after lunch and after the 197-[[run (cricket)|run]] [[partnership (cricket)|partnership]] ended in 32 [[over (cricket)|overs]], Gilchrist and Hayden had scored 122 and 119 respectively. Australia reached 8/329 at tea, compiling 158 runs in the session. A run a ball cameo of 39 from Warne allowed Australia to reach 349, a lead of 173. Harbhajan ended with 4/121.<ref name="t1"/><ref>{{cite news| title=Australia in command| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/in_depth/2001/india_v_australia/11193770.stm| publisher=[[BBC]] | date=2001-02-28| access-date=2007-03-02}}{{dead link|date=September 2025|bot=medic}}{{cbignore|bot=medic}}</ref> India's top order fared better in the second innings, managing to compile 58 before both openers were lost. they suffered a last scare when wicket-keeper [[Nayan Mongia]], sent in as a [[Nightwatchman (cricket)|nightwatchman]] was forced to [[retire hurt]] after suffering a finger injury, forcing Tendulkar to face the final over of the second day.<ref name="t1"/>

India resumed on the third day 115 runs behind, with Tendulkar yet to score and [[Rahul Dravid]] having made only six runs from 41 deliveries. They made slow progress, with Dravid taking 41 deliveries to move from six to seven runs. Only 19 runs were scored in the first hour. A further 39 were scored in the second hour before lunch as India concentrated on preserving wickets. Tendulkar counterattacked again after lunch as he did on the first day, with India accumulating 34 runs in seven overs. This ended when a pull shot by Tendulkar from a Mark Waugh long hop hit Langer in the back, who had taken evasive action from his close catching position, and rebounded in the air to be caught by Ponting for 65. After Ganguly was [[run out]] for 1, Laxman and Dravid departed in consecutive overs, leaving India at 6/174. Dravid had occupied the crease for 196 balls in compiling 39 runs. The tail was eventually dismissed for 219, with only Mongia's 29 the only other resistance. Tendulkar was the only Indian to pass 50 in the match, and the batting display was epitomised by injured fast bowler [[Javagal Srinath]], who attempted to bat with only one hand and was dismissed without scoring. The other notable event in the Indian innings was a mistimed pull shot from Dravid, which saw an attempted diving catch by Slater. Slater claimed the catch, but Dravid and umpire [[Srinivas Venkataraghavan]] disagreed. Slater angrily confronted both men with lengthy verbal outbursts.<ref name="t1"/> Australia recorded the 47 runs required for victory without losing a wicket in just seven overs, winning their 16th consecutive Test victory. Ganguly was booed off the ground, and Steve Waugh hailed an "outstanding team performance" by Australia. Gilchrist was named man of the match with 122 and six catches.<ref name="Bose">{{cite book|first= Mihir| last=Bose| title= A History of Indian cricket| year = 2002 |publisher=André Deutsch |pages = 472–473| isbn =0-233-05040-X}}</ref><ref name="t1">{{cite web| title =1st Test: India v Australia at Mumbai, 27 Feb-3 Mar 2001 Ball-by-Ball commentary |url= http://www.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2000-01/AUS_IN_IND/SCORECARDS/AUS_IND_T1_27FEB-03MAR2001_BBB-COMMS.html |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date = 2007-02-28}}</ref><ref name="t3d5">{{cite news| title=India triumph in tense finish| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/in_depth/2001/india_v_australia/1235045.stm| publisher=[[BBC]] | date=2001-03-22| access-date=2007-03-02}}</ref>

=== Second Test ===
{{Test match
| date = 11—15 March 2001
| team1 = {{cr-rt|AUS}}
| team2 = {{cr|IND}}

| score-team1-inns1 = 445 (131.5 overs)
| runs-team1-inns1 = [[Steve Waugh]] 110 (203)
| wickets-team1-inns1 = [[Harbhajan Singh]] 7/123 (37.5 overs)

| score-team2-inns1 = 171 (58.1 overs)
| runs-team2-inns1 = [[VVS Laxman]] 59 (83)
| wickets-team2-inns1 = [[Glenn McGrath]] 4/18 (14 overs)

| score-team1-inns2 = 212 (68.3 overs)
| runs-team1-inns2 = [[Matthew Hayden]] 67 (118)
| wickets-team1-inns2 = [[Harbhajan Singh]] 6/73 (30.3 overs)

| score-team2-inns2 = 657/7[[Declaration and forfeiture|d]] (178 overs) ([[Follow-on|f/o]])
| runs-team2-inns2 = [[VVS Laxman]] 281 (452); 
| wickets-team2-inns2 = [[Glenn McGrath]] 3/103 (39 overs)

| result = India won by 171 runs
| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63920.html Scorecard]
| venue = [[Eden Gardens]], [[Kolkata]]
| umpires = [[Shyam Bansal]] and [[Peter Willey]]
| motm = [[VVS Laxman]] (Ind)
| toss = Australia won the toss and elected to bat.
| notes = ''This was the third time in Test history (the first time for India) that a side won after following on. Australia was the losing team on all three occasions.''
* [[Harbhajan Singh|Harbhajan]]'s first innings [[List of Test cricket hat-tricks|hat-trick]] was the first ever by an Indian in Test cricket.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/136977.html| title=Test matches: Hat-tricks| publisher=[[Cricinfo]]| access-date=10 April 2009| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090321205721/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/136977.html| archive-date=21 March 2009| url-status=live| df=dmy-all}}</ref>
* [[VVS Laxman|Laxman]]'s innings of 281 was the highest, at the time, by an Indian in Tests, surpassing [[Sunil Gavaskar]]'s record of 236 not out.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://content.cricinfo.com/india/content/story/105062.html| title=The 17-year-mark that Laxman has now stretched| publisher=[[Cricinfo]]| access-date=10 April 2009| archive-url=https://archive.today/20120708035542/http://content.cricinfo.com/india/content/story/105062.html| archive-date=8 July 2012| url-status=live| df=dmy-all}}</ref>
* [[Rahul Dravid|Dravid]]'s innings of 180 was his ninth Test century and first against Australia.
* [[Adam Gilchrist|Gilchrist]] became the first Australian to be dismissed for a [[Pairs in Test and first-class cricket#King pairs in Test cricket|king pair]] in Test cricket.
* The Indian victory ended a 16 Test winning streak for [[Steve Waugh]]'s team, which was a world record.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/105118.html| title=Most consecutive wins| publisher=[[Cricinfo]]| access-date=10 April 2009| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090318073831/http://stats.cricinfo.com/ci/content/records/105118.html| archive-date=18 March 2009| url-status=live| df=dmy-all}}</ref>
* This was the only time in test history that a team was able to declare the follow-on innings and still win the test match.
}}

[[File:Harbhajan Singh bowling.jpg|thumb|Harbhajan, pictured here bowling in the nets, became the first Indian to take a Test hat-trick.]]
With leading paceman [[Javagal Srinath]] ruled out of the series with a finger injury during the First Test,<ref>{{cite news| title=India make four changes| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/in_depth/2001/india_v_australia/1207646.stm| publisher=[[BBC]] | date=2001-03-07| access-date=2007-03-02}}</ref> the teams met for the Second Test in [[Kolkata]], with an even bigger burden on Harbhajan. Public opinion was sceptical about India's chances of stopping Australia's winning streak, with former captain [[Bishan Bedi]] lamenting the demise of Indian cricket.<ref>{{cite news| title=India in downward spiral| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/in_depth/2001/india_v_australia/1211895.stm| publisher=[[BBC]] | date=2001-03-10| access-date=2007-03-02}}</ref> Australia were again in control on the first day, scoring 193/1, with Hayden having struck Harbhajan out of the attack. Harbhajan fought back to reduce Australia to 252/7, taking five wickets in the final session, including [[Ricky Ponting]], [[Adam Gilchrist]] and [[Shane Warne]] in successive balls to become the first Indian to claim a [[Test hat-trick]].<ref name="Bose"/> After a prolonged wait for the [[third umpire]] to adjudicate whether [[Sadagoppan Ramesh]] had managed to catch Warne before the ball hit the ground, the near-capacity crowd at [[Eden Gardens]] erupted when he was given out.<ref>{{cite news| title=Singh hat-trick stuns Aussies| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/in_depth/2001/india_v_australia/1214424.stm| publisher=[[BBC]] | date=2001-03-11| access-date=2007-03-02}}</ref> Harbhajan eventually finished with 7/123 as Australia were bowled out for 445. India batted poorly, although Laxman scored 59, and were all out for 171, trailing by 274 runs.

Australia enforced the [[follow-on]], and India seemed to be all but out of the match, and the series, after McGrath got Ganguly out on 48, with India at 232/4. But then came an epic 376-run partnership between [[V. V. S. Laxman]] and [[Rahul Dravid]]. The duo batted together for an entire day, Laxman scoring 281 and Dravid scoring 180. This allowed India to declare early on the final day at 657/7, with a 383 run lead, setting Australia an imposing target of 384 to win.

Australia appeared to be safely batting out the match for a draw, until losing 7/56 in the final session, collapsing from 166/3 to be bowled out for 212. Tendulkar took three [[Leg before wicket|LBW]] wickets and Harbhajan claimed four of the wickets, to finish with 6/73 for the innings and a match tally of 13/196. India ended Australia's 16-match world record winning streak, and became only the third team to win a Test after being forced to follow on, with Australia having been the losing team on all three occasions.<ref name="Bose"/><ref>{{cite web| title = 2nd Test: India v Australia at Calcutta 11–15 Mar 2001| url= http://www.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2000-01/AUS_IN_IND/SCORECARDS/AUS_IND_T2_11-15MAR2001.html |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date = 2007-02-28| archive-url= https://web.archive.org/web/20070206191053/http://www.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2000-01/AUS_IN_IND/SCORECARDS/AUS_IND_T2_11-15MAR2001.html| archive-date= 6 February 2007 | url-status= live}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| title=Incredible India defeat Australia| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/in_depth/2001/india_v_australia/1221637.stm| publisher=[[BBC]] | date=2001-03-15| access-date=2007-03-02}}</ref><ref>{{cite web| url=http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/RESULTS/VICTORY_AFTER_FOLLOWING_ON.html| title=Tests – Victory after Following-On| publisher=ESPNcricinfo| access-date=2007-03-03| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20040627122908/http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/RESULTS/VICTORY_AFTER_FOLLOWING_ON.html| archive-date=2004-06-27| url-status=dead}}</ref>

=== Third Test ===
{{Test match
| date = 18–22 March 2001
| team1 = {{cr-rt|AUS}}
| team2 = {{cr|IND}}

| score-team1-inns1 = 391 (115.2 overs)
| runs-team1-inns1 = [[Matthew Hayden]] 203 (320)
| wickets-team1-inns1 = [[Harbhajan Singh]] 7/133 (38.2 overs)

| score-team2-inns1 = 501 (165 overs)
| runs-team2-inns1 = [[Sachin Tendulkar]] 126 (230)
| wickets-team2-inns1 = [[Glenn McGrath]] 3/75 (36 overs)

| score-team1-inns2 = 264 (97.5 overs)
| runs-team1-inns2 = [[Mark Waugh]] 57 (139)
| wickets-team1-inns2 = [[Harbhajan Singh]] 8/84 (41.5 overs)

| score-team2-inns2 = 155/8 (41.1 overs)
| runs-team2-inns2 = [[VVS Laxman]] 66 (82)
| wickets-team2-inns2 = [[Colin Miller (cricketer)|Colin Miller]] 3/41 (9 overs)

| result = India won by 2 wickets
| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/63921.html Scorecard]
| venue = [[M. A. Chidambaram Stadium]], [[Chepauk]], [[Chennai]]
| umpires = [[Arani Jayaprakash]] and [[Rudi Koertzen]]
| motm = [[Harbhajan Singh]] (Ind) and [[Matthew Hayden]] (Aus)
| toss = Australia won the toss and elected to bat.
}}
The teams arrived in [[Chennai]] for the deciding Third Test, and Australia's batsmen again seized control after winning the toss, reaching 340/3 on the second morning.  Then, Australian captain [[Steve Waugh]] padded away a delivery from Harbhajan. The ball spun back into Waugh's stumps, who pushed the ball away with his glove, becoming only the sixth batsman in Tests to be given out "[[handled the ball]]".<ref>{{cite web| url=http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BATTING/TRIVIA/UNUSUAL_DISMISSALS_IN_TESTS.html| title=Tests – Unusual Dismissals| publisher=ESPNcricinfo| access-date=2007-03-03| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060216042452/http://uk.cricinfo.com/db/STATS/TESTS/BATTING/TRIVIA/UNUSUAL_DISMISSALS_IN_TESTS.html| archive-date=2006-02-16| url-status=dead}}</ref>  Waugh's dismissal instigated another Australian batting collapse, losing 6 wickets for 51 runs to be bowled out for 391, with Harbhajan taking all six in a spell of 6/26, to finish with 7/133.<ref>{{cite news| title=Indian batsmen on top| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/in_depth/2001/india_v_australia/1229028.stm| publisher=[[BBC]] | date=2001-03-19| access-date=2007-03-02}}</ref> After India's batsmen gained a first-innings lead of 110 on the back of a third consecutive Chennai Test hundred by Sachin Tendulkar, the Australian batsmen were again unable to cope with Harbhajan in the second innings, who took 8/84 to end with match figures of 15/217. India appeared to be heading for an easy victory at 101/2 chasing 155, before losing 6/50 to be 151/8. Perhaps fittingly, Harbhajan walked to the crease, and struck the winning runs.<ref name="t3d5"/><ref>{{cite web| title = 3rd Test: India v Australia at Chennai, 18–22 Mar 2001 Ball-by-Ball Commentary| url=http://www.cricinfo.com/db/ARCHIVE/2000-01/AUS_IN_IND/SCORECARDS/AUS_IND_T3_18-22MAR2001_BBB-COMMS.html |publisher=ESPNcricinfo |access-date = 2007-02-28}}</ref>

He was named [[man of the match]] and [[man of the series]], having taken 32 wickets in the series,<ref name="Bose"/> when none of his team-mates managed more than 3.  The [[Wisden 100]] study conducted by [[Wisden Cricketers' Almanack|Wisden]] in 2002 rated all four of Harbhajan's efforts in the Second and Third Tests in the top 100 bowling performances of all time, the most for any bowler.<ref>{{cite web |title=Wisden 100: Top 100 Bowlers of all time |url=http://in.rediff.com/cricket/2001/jul/30bow100.htm |publisher=Rediff |access-date=2007-02-28}}</ref> He paid tribute to his father, who had died just six months earlier.<ref name = "cops">{{cite news| title= Harbhajan hurt in scuffle| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/cricket/1878989.stm | date=2002-03-18| access-date=2007-02-20 |work=[[BBC News]]}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| title = My father would have been proud of my performance: Harbhajan | url=http://content-usa.cricinfo.com/india/content/story/104929.html |publisher=ESPNcricinfo | date = 2001-03-11| access-date = 2007-02-28}}</ref>  His performance led to him usurping [[Anil Kumble]]'s position as India's first-choice spinner.<ref name="Bose"/>

==ODI series==

===First ODI===
{{Limited overs matches
| date = 25 March 2001
| daynight = yes
| team1 = {{cr-rt|IND}}
| score1 = 315 (50 overs)
| score2 = 255 (43 overs)
| team2 = {{cr|AUS}}
| runs1 = [[Rahul Dravid]] 80 (84)
| wickets1 = [[Glenn McGrath]] 2/60 (9.5 overs)
| runs2 = [[Matthew Hayden]] 99 (90)
| wickets2 = [[Javagal Srinath]] 3/49 (7.3 overs)
| result = India won by 60 runs
| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/64706.html Scorecard]
| venue = [[M. Chinnaswamy Stadium]], [[Bangalore]]
| umpires = [[Devinder Sharma]] (Ind) and [[SK Sharma]] (Ind)
| motm = [[Virender Sehwag]] (Ind)
| toss = India won the toss and elected to bat.
| notes = [[Vijay Dahiya]] (51) became the first India wicketkeeper-batsman to score a half-century against Australia in ODIs.<ref name="Stats1ODI">{{cite web |last1=Menon |first1=Mohandas |title=Statistical Highlights of the first LOI match at Bangalore |url=https://rediff.com/cricket/2001/mar/26stats.htm |website=Rediff.com |access-date=23 October 2025 |date=26 March 2001}}</ref>
* [[Sourav Ganguly]] claimed his 50th catch in ODIs.<ref name="Stats1ODI"/>
* India's 60-run victory was their best against Australia in ODIs, in terms of runs.<ref name="Stats1ODI"/>
}}

===Second ODI===
{{Limited overs matches
| date = 28 March 2001
| team1 = {{cr-rt|IND}}
| score1 = 248/9 (50 overs)
| score2 = 249/2 (45.1 overs)
| team2 = {{cr|AUS}}
| runs1 = [[Hemang Badani]] 100 (98)
| wickets1 = [[Damien Fleming]] 2/39 (10 overs)
| runs2 = [[Mark Waugh]] 133[[Not out|*]] (138)
| wickets2 = [[Zaheer Khan]] 1/26 (6 overs)
| result = Australia won by 8 wickets
| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/64708.html Scorecard]
| venue = [[Nehru Stadium, Pune|Nehru Stadium]], [[Pune]]
| umpires = [[Satish Gupta]] (Ind) and [[Ivaturi Shivram]] (Ind)
| motm = [[Mark Waugh]] (Aus)
| toss = India won the toss and elected to bat.
| notes = [[Dinesh Mongia]] (Ind) made his debut in ODIs.
* [[Hemang Badani]] (Ind) scored his first century in ODIs.<ref name="Stats2ODI">{{cite web |last1=Menon |first1=Mohandas |title=Statistical Highlights for the Second ODI at Pune |url=https://rediff.com/cricket/2001/mar/28stats.htm |website=Rediff.com |access-date=23 October 2025 |date=28 March 2001}}</ref>
* [[Mark Waugh]] (Aus) bettered his own record (126) for the highest individual score against India in ODIs (133) for an Australia player.<ref name="Stats2ODI" />
* Mark Waugh surpassed [[Steve Waugh]] for the most Man of the Match award wins in ODIs (22).<ref name="Stats2ODI" />
}}

===Third ODI===
{{Limited overs matches
| date = 31 March 2001
| team1 = {{cr-rt|IND}}
| score1 = 299/8 (50 overs)
| score2 = 181 (35.5 overs)
| team2 = {{cr|AUS}}
| runs1 = [[Sachin Tendulkar]] 139 (125)
| wickets1 = [[Glenn McGrath]] 3/52 (10 overs)
| runs2 = [[Adam Gilchrist]] 63 (70)
| wickets2 = [[Harbhajan Singh]] 3/37 (9 overs)
| result = India won by 118 runs
| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/64709.html Scorecard]
| venue = [[Nehru Stadium, Indore|Nehru Stadium]], [[Indore]]
| umpires = [[Vijay Chopra]] (Ind) and [[Krishna Hariharan]] (Ind)
| motm = [[Sachin Tendulkar]] (Ind)
| toss = Australia won the toss and elected to field.
| notes = [[Sachin Tendulkar]] (Ind) became the first player to reach 10,000 runs in ODIs.<ref>{{cite news |title=Tendulkar completes 10,000 runs in ODIs |url=https://rediff.com/cricket/2001/mar/31ten.htm |access-date=23 October 2025 |work=Rediff.com |date=31 March 2001}}</ref>
}}

===Fourth ODI===
{{Limited overs matches
| date = 3 April 2001
| team1 = {{cr-rt|AUS}}
| score1 = 338/4 (50 overs)
| score2 = 245 (45 overs)
| team2 = {{cr|IND}}
| runs1 = [[Matthew Hayden]] 111 (113)
| wickets1 = [[Harbhajan Singh]] 1/58 (10 overs)
| runs2 = [[Sachin Tendulkar]] 62 (38)
| wickets2 = [[Steve Waugh]] 3/29 (6 overs)
| result = Australia won by 93 runs
| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/64710.html Scorecard]
| venue = [[Indira Priyadarshini Stadium]], [[Visakhapatnam]]
| umpires = [[GA Pratapkumar]] and [[Shavir Tarapore]]
| motm = [[Matthew Hayden]] (Aus)
| toss = Australia won the toss and elected to bat.
| notes = [[Matthew Hayden]] (Aus) scored his first century in ODIs.<ref name="Stats4ODI">{{cite web |last1=Menon |first1=Mohandas |title=Statistical highlights - Fourth ODI, at Vizag |url=https://rediff.com/cricket/2001/apr/03stat.htm |website=Rediff.com |access-date=23 October 2025 |date=3 April 2001}}</ref>
* [[Shane Warne]] (Aus) claimed his 250th wicket in ODIs.<ref name="Stats4ODI"/>
}}

===Fifth ODI===
{{Limited overs matches
| date = 6 April 2001
| team1 = {{cr-rt|IND}}
| score1 = 265/6 (50 overs)
| score2 = 269/6 (48 overs)
| team2 = {{cr|AUS}}
| runs1 = [[VVS Laxman]] 101 (107)
| wickets1 = [[Ian Harvey]] 2/49 (10 overs)
| runs2 = [[Michael Bevan]] 87[[Not out|*]] (113)
| wickets2 = [[Sachin Tendulkar]] 3/35 (10 overs)
| result = Australia won by 4 wickets
| report = [http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/match/64711.html Scorecard]
| venue = [[Fatorda Stadium|Nehru Stadium]], Fatorda, [[Margao]]
| umpires = [[Francis Gomes]] and [[Subroto Porel]]
| motm = [[Michael Bevan]] (Aus)
| toss = India won the toss and elected to bat.
| notes = [[VVS Laxman]] (Ind) scored his first century in ODIs.<ref name="Stats5ODI">{{cite web |last1=Menon |first1=Mohandas |title=Statistical highlights - Fifth ODI, at Goa |url=https://rediff.com/cricket/2001/apr/06stat.htm |website=Rediff.com |access-date=23 October 2025 |date=6 April 2001}}</ref>
* [[Sachin Tendulkar]] (Ind) claimed his 100th wicket in ODIs.<ref name="Stats5ODI"/>
}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
*[http://www.espncricinfo.com/ci/engine/series/61425.html Tour website on ESPNcricinfo]

{{International cricket in 2000–01}}
{{International cricket tours of India}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Australian Cricket Team In India In 2000-01}}
[[Category:2001 in Australian cricket]]
[[Category:2001 in Indian cricket]]
[[Category:Australian cricket tours of India|2000-01]]
[[Category:Indian cricket seasons from 2000–01]]
[[Category:International cricket competitions in 2000–01]]