After the Adelaide Test, Perth is set to witness the exciting encounter between India and Australia during the second Test match. After bagging victory in series opener, Indian team will look to maintain the winning streak in the upcoming Perth Test, scheduled to start from December 16. Perth has a special place in Indian cricket history owing to the spectacular victory India bagged here in 2008. The nail-biting match saw India as winner in the end, and pacer Irfan Pathan emerging as the hero of the match with his impressive bowling.
The Perth Test of 2008 is one of the only six victories India has bagged on Australian soil. Irfan Pathan became the highlight of the match after he got the breakthrough for India in both the innings. Irfan, then the leading pace bowler for India, dismissed the openers in both the innings to crush the Australian side right at the start of their batting.
Batting first, India scored 330 in the first innings. During Aussies’ batting, Irfan dismissed openers Phil Jaques and Chris Rogers at the score of 8 and 4 respectively. Irfan repeated same bowling skills in the second innings too, dismissing both of them again right at the start. Jaques and Rogers were sent to pavilion by Irfan at the mere score of 16 and 15 respectively.
Irfan took a total of 5 wickets in the match and ensured that Australian openers do not make it big in the match. He also smashed 46 runs in the second innings, when sent to bat as a night-watchman. Australia lost the match after failing to reach the target of 413 set by India. Irfan was awarded player of the match award for his impressive batting and bowling display.
Have a look at video below to relive Irfan Pathan’s spectacular dismissals during India vs Australia Perth Test of 2008.