Interestingly both wins came under captaincy of Dhoni, with huge margin of 320 and 172 in Mohali and Nagpur, respectively. In addition, Dhoni also achieved the unique feat of winning the Test series in his very first series against the mighty Australia. Young pacer Ishant Sharma was declared man of the series, while debutant Austalian spinner JJ Krejza was given the man of the match award.

Nagpur Test was crucial for Australia to square the series. Indian captain Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat first on the lively pitch. Since the first day the pitch was giving support to bowlers and the result was as expected. But something different was going in the minds of Indian opening pair of Murali Vijay and Virender Sehwag. Vijay and Sehwag did not allow the Australian bowlers to dominate and shared an important 98-run partnership for the first wicket.

Rahul Dravid, who joined Sehwag after Vijay’s fall, returned to pavilion on naught. Sehwag, who was in punishing mood was bowled out brilliantly by debutant Krejza. Sachin Tendulkar in company of VVS Laxman tried to stabilise the innings and took India past 250. Laxman was caught behind wicket after scoring valuable 64 runs, followed by Tendulkar (109) who scored the 40th century of his Test career.

India was 303 for five, again a good partnership was shared by captain MS Dhoni (56) and veteran Sourav Ganguly (85). Dhoni and Ganguly fell in quick succession and the rest of the five wickets fell while adding only 19 runs to the score. India posted a good total of 441 in the first innings. Tendulkar’s century and Ganguly’s knock of 85 were highlight of the first innings. Besides, Krejza also impressed all by claiming eight wickets in his debut match.

In reply Australian openers Matthew Hayden and Simon Katich started the inning with some quick runs. However, Hayden lost control and was run out, on an individual score of 16, by Vijay. Ponting who could not do much in the series also returned to pavilion after scoring 24. Katich and Michael Hussey, however, batted sensibly and took the team past 200. Australia was moving closer to Indian total and for some time it appeared that they would surpass the total.

It was Zaheer Khan who provided the much needed breakthrough for the team. Khan trapped Katich before the wicket, when the Austalian total was 229. From a commanding position 229 for two, Australia slipped to 266 for six and came under pressure. Finally, with some good batting performance from B Haddin and C White, Australia scored 355 in the first innings.

India got a crucial lead of 86 runs in the first innings. Like the first innings, in the second innings too, the Indian openers shared an important 116-run partnership. With fine knocks from Sehwag (92), Vijay (41), Dhoni (55) and Harbhajan Singh (52), India scored 295 in the second innings. India got an overall lead of 381, which was quite difficult to achieve in the pitch favouring the bowlers.

But Australia, famous for its fighting ability, started the innings fast. It seemed that they want to win the match, but it was a herculean task for them. Delhi pacer Ishant Sharma struck in the six over of the innings and removed Katich cheaply. Ponting (8) became the victim of a run out and Sharma made M Clarke (22) his next prey. Australia was three down for 82 runs, Hayden and Hussey brought back the smile on Australian faces by staying on the crease for some time. But, Indian spinners Amit Mishra and Harbhajan Singh spoiled everything for Australia. The leg – off spin duo claimed the rest of the seven wickets and bowled the team out on 209 in second innings.

By clinching the Border – Gavaskar Trophy by 2-0, team India has proved that it has the ability to defeat the world’s number one team. In fact, during the whole series, team India dominated over the Kangaroos and most of the time the rival looked under pressure.

Most importantly, Ponting who in the start of the series expressed his wish to win the series on Indian soil will be highly upset. Ponting, who was perhaps on his last tour to India, will always feel ill at ease for not winning a Test series in India during his glittering career.