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The Virat Kohli-led Indian team needs to rewrite history to defeat Australia in Sunday’s much awaited Cricket World Cup match at The Oval stadium in London.
Historically, India has struggled against Australia, particularly on the World Cup stage. The five time World Cup winners have a 8-3 lead in a head-to-head matches in the World Cup against India. Two of those Indian victories were in the Asian sub continent, where conditions are far from what it will be in England.
India's record at The Oval too is dismal with only 5 wins in 15 matches in ODIs. Among these 15, two were previous world cup matches in 1983 and 1999 in both of which India ended up as the losing side.
Here’s a look back at the last 5 encounters between the two top cricketing nations
Sydney 2015
The most recent encounter between the two sides in World Cup competition. India faced Australia in the semifinals of the 2015 edition as the defending champions having won in 2011. However, Australia set India a tough target of 329 and bundled India out for 233 to advance to the finals and eventually regain the World Cup. Steve Smith smashed a superb 105 to consign India to defeat.
Ahmedabad 2011
On its way to win the 2011 Cricket World Cup at home, India met Australia in the quarter-finals. In a pulsating game, India found itself in trouble after the team was reduced to 187-5 while chasing 261. A controlled fifty by Yuvraj Singh guided India to the target and defeat Australia for only the third time in World Cup matches and also ensured Ricky Ponting's century went in vain.
Johannesburg 2003
In the final of the 2003 Cricket World Cup in South Africa, an Indian team led by Sourav Ganguly was comprehensively beaten by an Australian side led by Ricky Ponting. , Australia put up a total of 359 thanks to an excellent start provided openers Mathew Hayden and Adam Gilchrist. While chasing, India stumbled with Sachin Tendlkar sent back to the pavilion early by Glen McGrath. Eventually, India was bowled out for 233.
Centurion 2003
London 1999
20 years ago, India faced Australia at The Oval in a Super Sixes match. Chasing a formidable target of 283, India's batting lineup was toppled by a resurgent Australian bowling attack led by Glen McGrath. India was reduced to 17-4, losing Tendulkar, Ganguly, Dravid and Azharuddin early. Although Ajay Jadeja and Robin Singh scored a century and a fifty respectively, India fell short of the target by 77 runs.