The inaugural test series between India and Australia was the farewell home series for the late Sir Donald George Bradman, in 1947-48. Since that historic establishment of cricket ties, the two countries have played 57 test matches, with Australia dominating in 28 and India winning 11. The Madras Test played at Chidambaram Stadium in 1986-87 series resulted in only the second tie in the history of test cricket, after that historic Brisbane Test in 1960-61. Australia continues to maintain its supremacy in one-day cricket as well, having won 36 of the 62 matches played against India so far. India has won 23.

Interestingly, in spite of Australia's overall dominance in terms of results of previous test matches, the performance of both teams on Indian soil is quite competitive. Australia has marginal edge over India by winning nine matches against eight by the home team. In fact, Australians are yet to win a test series in India since their victory 31 years ago in 1969-70. On the other hand, the Indians have won three test series in 1979-80, 1996-97 (one-off Test) and 1998-99.

Earlier, in four previous tours, the Australians had won convincingly on three occasions (2-0 in 1956-57, 2-1 in 1959-60 and 3-1 in 1969-70). The Test series in 1964 was tied (1-1) and drawn (0-0) in 1986-87.

The competition between the two teams is about to revive shortly. The Australian team, which at present is on the crest of a wave by succeeding in 15 consecutive tests and winning all the matches of recently concluded one-day triangular series, is in India to play three test matches (at Mombai, Calcutta, and Chennai) and five one-day internationals (at Banglore, Pune, Indore, Visakhapatnam, and Goa).

The current test series will commence 27th February and the one-day series 25th March. The forthcoming series is expected to be quite interesting and competitive. The Indians are on a tough proposition to hold the irresistible Australians in furtherance of their winning streak. On the other hand, the Australians are out there to break the jinx of not winning a series on Indian soil for 31 years.

Presented below is a brief account of the previous tours of Australian teams to India:

1956-57
Humbled by Pakistan in their first ever encounter at Karachi, the Aussies, led by late I.W. Johnson, arrived in India to play a three-match test series. The visitors convincingly won at, Madras (by an innings and 5 runs) and at Calcutta (by 94 runs). The Bombay Test was drawn. P.R. Umrigar led India. Prominent among the performers on both sides were R. Benaud, late R. R. Lindwall, J. W. Burke, R. N. Harvey, G. S. Ramchand, Ghulam Ahmed, P Roy,P. R. Umrigar, and MH Mankad

1959-60
At Green Park, Kanpur, Jasubhai Patel, an off spinner, created history by claiming nine wickets in the first innings and returned match figures of 14 for 124, then a record in the Sub-continent. India won their first test against Australia by 119 runs. Australia won convincingly at Ferozeshah Kotla, New Delhi (by an innings and 127 runs) and at Madras (by an innings and 55 runs) to clinch the series 2-1. An unusual mode of dismissal was observed at Bombay when the Indian opener NJ Contractor (108) was caught by R.N. Harvey after the ball had struck between the fielder's legs. Richie Benaud and Allan Davidson bowled superbly and Niel Harvey and Norman O.Neill batted magnificently for the visitors.

1964
After winning the Ashes in England, R. B. Simpson led Australia in the 1-1 tied series. India was led by the `tiger' M. A. K. Patudi who scored the only century of the series (128 not out at Madras). Australia won by 139 runs at Madras and India avenged their defeat by winning at Bombay by two wickets.

1969-70
Bill Lawry led Australia to a convincing 3-1 victory in the series. Australia won the Bombay, Calcutta and Madras Tests by 8, 7, and 10 wickets, respectively. Skippered by M. A. K. Patudi, the home team won by 7 wickets at New Delhi. The Bombay Test was drawn. The outstanding performers on both sides were I. M. Chappell, K. R. Stackpole, I. R. Redpath, A. P. Sheahan, G. D. Mckenzie, A. N. Connolly, A. A. Mallet, J. W. Gleeson, M. A. K Patudi, G. R. Viswanath, A. V. Mankad, A. L. Wadekar, E. A. S. Prasanna, and B.S. Bedi.

1979-80
Australia was not at their full might in this series. Most of their leading players had turned "Packerites" and joined World Series of Cricket (WSC). Kim Hughes led Australia and Sunil Gavaskar led the home team in this series. India took the test series 2-0 by winning at Kanpur by 153 runs and at Bombay by an innings and 100 runs. The Madras, Banglore and Calcutta tests were drawn.

1986-87
A.R. Border and Kapil Dev led the two teams. The series was drawn 0-0. The highlight of the series was test cricket's second tie at Mardas. The feat was recorded on the 22nd of September 1986, when on the penultimate ball of the final over, Australian off-spinner Greg Matthews got Maninder Singh, the last man for India, out lbw. Rain badly affected the second test at New Delhi, which ended in a draw. The third and final test at Bombay was also drawn, despite India's huge score of 517 for 5 declared in the first innings.

1996-97
India won the one-off Test at New Delhi by seven wickets. Australia scored 182 and 234 runs in the two innings. Anil Kumble claimed 9 wickets in the match. Steve Waugh was the lone fighter for the visitors, getting 67 in the second innings. Slater contributed with 44 in the first innings. N. R Mongia made his maiden hundred (152) to help India score a winning first innings total of 369. P. R. Reiffel claimed three wickets. In the end, a small target of 58 was easily achieved by the home team.

1998-99
Mark Taylor led Australia and Mohammad Azharuddin was the captain of the home team, which won the series 2-1. S. R. Tendulkar scored 155 not out and Anil Kumble claimed 8 wickets to contribute chiefly in India's victory by 179 runs at Madras. Again at Eden Gardens, India won convincingly by an innings and 129 runs after amassing a mammoth 633 for 5 declared. Azharuddin made 163 not out and openers V. V. S. Laxman and N. S. Sidhu scored 95 and 97 runs, respectively. Anil Kumble claimed eight wickets. Australia achieved a consolation 8-wicket victory in the third Test at Banglore. M.E. Waugh scored 153 not out. India, despite gaining a first innings lead, collapsed in the second innings. Kasprowicz claimed 8 wickets in the match. Shane Warne was not at his best, as his ten wickets in the series cost him 54 runs apiece.

CURRENT SERIES:
By comparison, the present Australian team may not be amongst the best Australia has ever produced. Yet their hallmark, which sets them as one of the most successful teams of history, is their consistency, mental firmness, physical fitness, confidence, positive attitude, and remarkable team spirit. Their bowling and batting is beyond any body's hold. Steve Waugh is always leading from the front. India, on the other hand, enjoys home advantage and is a capable batting side. However, they would be missing the services of Anil Kumble who has been the main weapon in their armoury for quite some time now. The odds are heavily in favour of Australia, unless and until the lifeless tracks do not play tricks with the Aussies. The game should be played on sporting wickets, let there be even a duel between the bat and the ball.

Played	Test matches
	Won by Australia	Won by India	Tied	Drawn
57	28	11	1	17

Played	One-day Internationals
	Won by Australia	Won by India	Tied	NR
62	36	23	0	3

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