Australian cricket team in India in 2000–01

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The Australian cricket team toured India from 17 February to 6 April 2001 for three Tests and five ODIs. India won the Test series 2–1, ending Australia’s 16-match Test winning streak and delivering one of their most celebrated results, while Australia won the five-match ODI series 3–2.

Test series highlights
- First Test (Mumbai): Australia won. The series started on a somber note with the death of Sir Donald Bradman. In the Test, Australian batsmen led the way with strong contributions, including Gilchrist’s 122. Harbhajan Singh emerged as a leading Indian bowler, ending with 4/121 in the match.
- Second Test (Kolkata): India won in dramatic fashion. Harbhajan Singh ran through Australia with 7/123 in the match. India’s batters—V. V. S. Laxman (281) and Rahul Dravid (180) put on a record 376-run partnership, helping India declare at 657/7. Australia replied with 445, and India then bowled Australia out for 212 to win by 171 runs. This match is remembered for the extraordinary Laxman–Dravid stand and Harbhajan’s spell.
- Third Test (Chennai): India won. The match featured a dramatic moment when Steve Waugh was dismissed for handling the ball. Harbhajan Singh continued to torment the Australian batsmen, taking 8/84 in the second innings and finishing with 15 wickets for the match. Tendulkar contributed another century, and India chased a modest target to seal the series victory.

ODI series
- Australia won the five-match ODI series 3–2. The series saw strong batting from Matthew Hayden (303 runs) and good contributions from VVS Laxman (291) for India, while Glenn McGrath led the bowlers with 10 wickets (Javagal Srinath had 9). Hayden was named the Player of the Series for the ODIs.

Impact
This tour is regarded as one of India’s finest achievements in home cricket. India, missing key spinner Anil Kumble, relied on Harbhajan Singh to spearhead a superb spin attack. The Kolkata Test’s epic partnership and Harbhajan’s breakthroughs, along with Tendulkar’s centuries, are long remembered as landmarks of the series.