India Looks To Consolidate At ‘Happy Hunting Ground'

Australia has always been bested by the Men in Blue at the Jamtha.

- G. Viswanath

A venue built on the outskirts of the city before the ICC World Cup 2011 has turned out to be a happy hunting ground for the home team against Australia.

India has lost a match each to Sri Lanka and South Africa, but has a great record against Australian teams — led by Ricky Ponting, George Bailey and Steve Smith.

And, the likes of Mahendra Singh Dhoni, Virat Kohli, Shikhar Dhawan and Rohit Sharma have plenty of reasons to feel good here.

Sweet memories

More than a decade ago, Dhoni in his nascent years as captain, showed the way for his team with a sparkling 107 ball 124 with nine 4s and three 6s.

Four years later, Shane Watson (102) and Bailey (156) flogged the home team attack, but Dhawan (100) and Kohli (115 not out) upstaged their rivals for India to win by six wickets.

And, almost one-and-a-half years ago, Rohit produced a classic 125 against Pat Cummins, Nathan Coulter-Nile and Adam Zampa.