Former Indian cricketer Sachin Tendulkar has achieved many records in his life and hasn’t left any reason why he shouldn’t be called the ‘god of cricket’. From having a record of 100 international tons to scoring the most runs in international cricket across all formats, there isn’t any feat that the ‘master blaster’ hasn’t achieved. Apart from being one of the most elegant batters, one more thing more that Sachin Tendulkar taught was determination, and one such example for the same is his 241-run knock in Sydney during the 2004-05 tour of Australia. Sachin was going through a very lean phase in the series and was almost on the brink of being excluded from playing XI.

Cover drive has always been the key strength for Sachin Tendulkar throughout his international career but it proved to be his weakness. In the first three matches of the four-match series during the 2003-04 tour of Australia, Sachin was dismissed while playing a cover drive by the Australian bowlers. However, the latter showcased a brilliant determination during the fourth Test which was being played in Sydney when he smashed a score of 241* runs which helped the Indian team achieve a score of 705/7 in the first innings and take a whopping lead in the match.

Australian pitches have never been easy to bat for the batters and are a heaven for the fast bowlers. Australia have produced many legendary bowlers in the past two decades which includes the likes of Jason Gillespie, Shaun Tait, Brett Lee, Mitchell Johnson, Glenn McGrath, Mitchell Starc and now Pat Cummins. While the Indian team gears up for a new challenge in the upcoming Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 series against Australia, there are speculations that Tendulkar might join the side as a batting consultant and give the ‘mantra’ of determination to the Indian batters.

India have achieved brilliant victories against Australia in the past few four Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 series and they will have the biggest challenge to retain the title once again. Australia have been on top in all the formats in the present time and they become even more deadly when they play at home. Australian bowlers such as Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon will prove to be very difficult to face for the Indian batters if they perform to their full potential. However, the Indian side which will be led by Jasprit Bumrah in the first Test gave a brilliant statement in the past tour of Australia and they will look forward on repeating the same performance.

Team India will begin their 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign with the first Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth starting November 22. The Indian team sans skipper Rohit Sharma has been practicing in Perth over the last few days. They are currently taking part in a match simulation as part of their preparations.

India have played four Test matches against Australia at the WACA in Perth, winning one and losing the other three. The first India-Australia Test at the venue took place in December 1977 followed by clashes in 1992, 2008 and 2012. India and Australia have met once at the Optus Stadium in Perth in 2018. The hosts won the contest by 146 runs.

Perth has proved to be a tough venue for visiting batters, but some Indian stars have managed to come up with excellent efforts. Ahead of the upcoming Test, we look back at India's 5 best Test knocks in Perth (both stadiums included).

A Look Back at India's Top 5 Test Knocks in Perth

VVS Laxman's Resilience

VVS Laxman loved batting against Australia in Test cricket. He played a crucial knock of 79 at the WACA in the second innings of the third Test during 2007-08 tour. India put up 330 batting first, with Laxman's contribution being a handy 27. Australia replied with 212, as India got a significant first-innings lead of 118 runs.

The Aussies, though, came hard at India in the second innings and reduced the hosts to 160-6. Laxman held fort for the visitors, occupying the crease for 228 minutes in his 156-ball knock. With support from MS Dhoni (38) and RP Singh (30), Laxman lifted India to 294 before he was the last man out. Set a target of 413, Australia were bowled out for 340 in 86.5 overs.

Virat Kohli's Fighting Century

Leading from the front, Virat Kohli scored a magnificent ton in the Perth Test in December 2018. After Australia put up a competitive 326 on the board batting first, India needed to come up with a strong reply. They only managed 283.

Things could have been a lot worse for the visitors, but for Kohli's fighting hundred. The right-handed batter held the innings together for India, hitting 13 fours and a six in his 123, which came off 257 and lasted 373 minutes. Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane (51) added 91 for the fourth wicket.

India did well to restrict the Aussies to 243 in their second innings as pacer Mohammed Shami claimed 6-56. They, however, ended up losing the Test by 146 runs. Chasing 287, India folded up for 140 in 56 overs.

Sunil Gavaskar's Defiant Ton

Former captain and batting legend Sunil Gavaskar holds the record for the highest individual score by an Indian batter a Test match in Perth. He scored 127 in the second Test of the five-match series in 1977-78.

Batting first, India put up 402 on the board as Mohinder Amarnath scored 90 and Chetan Chauhan 88. Australia, however, replied with 394 despite Bishan Singh Bedi's five-fer as Bob Simpson scored 176.

It all came down to a second innings tussle. Gavaskar hit a typically defiant hundred, scoring 127 off 245 balls with the aid of 20 fours. He added 193 for the second wicket with Mohinder Amarnath (100). India declared their second innings on 330-9. Australia, however, chased a target of 339, with two wickets in hand.

Rahul Dravid's Resolute 93

Team India's wall Rahul Dravid played a stellar role in India's famous Test win in Perth in January 2008. The visitors began the series poorly, losing the first two Tests. The second match in Sydney was marred by Monkeygate and some horrendous umpiring decisions.

India were a clearly inspired outfit heading into Perth and Dravid laid the foundation for their win with a resolute 93 in the first innings. His 183-ball knock lasted 278 minutes and featured 14 fours. Sachin Tendulkar also scored 71 as India put up 330 on the board. Their bowlers then held Australia to 212, which went a long way in ensuring a 72-run win for India.

Sachin Tendulkar's Iconic Century

A young Sachin Tendulkar scored an iconic century in Perth in February 1992 in the fifth Test of the five-match series. Batting first in the contest, Australia put up 346 on the board and then reduced India to 159-8.

Tendulkar, however, stood tall amid the ruins and notched up a high-quality ton. Holding his own against the likes of Craig McDermott, Merv Hughes and Paul Reiffel, he scored 114 off 161 balls. The right-handed batter's knock lasted 228 minutes during which he hit 16 fours and added 81 runs for the ninth wicket with keeper-batter Kiran More (43).

Tendulkar's heroics lifted India to 272. The visitors were, however, set a massive target of 442 after Dean Jones (150*) and Tom Moody (101) hit hundreds. India folded up for 141 in 55.1 overs in their second innings.

Sachin Tendulkar's 241* in Sydney: A Turning Point

Sachin Tendulkar's 241* in Sydney in the 2004-05 series was a masterclass in determination and resilience. It was a knock that defied adversity, silenced doubters, and showcased the sheer brilliance of the ‘Master Blaster’.

In a series where Tendulkar had struggled to find his rhythm, this innings was a turning point. He had been dismissed for scores of 0, 3, 24, and 14 in the first three Tests. His place in the side was under intense scrutiny. But at the SCG, Tendulkar responded with a knock that will forever be etched in the annals of cricketing history. The knock came at a time when the Indian team was struggling to come to terms with the Australian bowling attack. The Aussies were at their ruthless best, and the Indian batters were finding it difficult to cope. It was against this backdrop that Tendulkar stepped up to the plate. He spent over 9 hours at the crease, batting with immense focus and concentration. He was unyielding in his approach, playing with a mix of aggression and elegance that left the Australian bowlers bewildered. The innings was full of classic Tendulkar strokes, with his cover drive, straight drive, and pull shot finding the gaps with ease. He displayed a remarkable ability to adapt to the conditions, playing with patience and authority. The innings was not only a masterclass in batting but also a testament to Tendulkar's unflinching determination and ability to overcome adversity. It was a performance that proved that the “God of Cricket” could be the most resilient player on the field. It is this quality that makes him a role model for generations to come. This knock helped India to a first innings lead and ultimately, a win in the Test match.

Sachin Tendulkar's 241* in Sydney serves as a reminder of the indomitable spirit that makes him the ‘God of Cricket’. It is a testament to his grit, determination, and unwavering focus, qualities that have made him one of the greatest batsmen of all time.

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