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New Zealand tour of Australia, 2008/09

Airtel Border Gavaskar Trophy won by India beating Australia

India won the fourth test by 172 runs. In fourth innings Australia were all out for 209. In the presentation ceremony losing captain Ponting said “It has been a fair result to tell the truth. We played good cricket in Bangalore but from there we have been chasing our tails. India played good cricket. India’s tactics slowed us down dramatically on that third day. Looking back that was the turning point. We weren’t good enough; probably not patient enough.

“The partnership between Dhoni and Harbhajan was vital. Being nine overs behind doesn’t help you. There was a similar partnership in Bangalore (harbhajan and zaheer) .. we didn’t take our chances. We weren’t good enough here and weren’t good enough in Mohali and hence the two results. I am still learning about the game, some of the guys will learn. Jason Krejza has had a very good debut. Other guys too would have learnt. We have a Test series in Australia. This has been as a brilliant tour. We have been here seven weeks and the time has flown quickly.”
Here comes the Man of the Match: Jason Krejza : “It has been an experience I will never forget. To take 12 wickets on your debut is unbelievable. What a wonderful game. I was a bit nervous, I tried to keep it inside. glad it has turned out well. My team backed me up, Ricky was a great captain for me and I really appreciate that. I had more confidence going in to the second innings. What I have learnt is .. Test cricket is a tough tough game and you have to be patient. I can come next game and pick none.”
Man of the series: Ishant Sharma : “I think in Indian wickets, you have to be patient and bowl in the right areas. All the senior players supported me; that’s why I bowled well. I know how your body recovers and I know quite a lot about my body [fitness] now. Zaheer has quite bit of experience and he has constantly adviced me about two things: be patient and bowl in the right areas. My best wicket was taking Ponting in the second innings at Mohali. ”
Dhoni: We didn’t start off well, it was worrying but we knew once we got a few wickets ….

On the series : This is more important than the India Pakistan rivalry. We had our plans and executed it well.

On Gambhir: The starts were very important. Gautam and Sehwag run well and helped put a big score on the board.

On Kumble and Dada:” They are marvelous cricketers. They have done everything, they led India. When we grew up we saw them playing cricket; we didnt think we would be in the same dressing room. The youngsters will have a tough task filling their shoes. They just need to concentrate on doing their best.”

Australia tour of India, 2008/09

The below is match schedule for India Vs Australia in september and october 2008.

A Majestic welcome to India team

After 2 and half months tour at Australia, Indian one-day team returned from the CB series to a stirring reception at the Delhi airport. A hundreds of fans greeted them there and also Indian board and the Delhi and District Cricket Association. 

The team actually reached Mumbai in the morning and took a chartered flight to Delhi for a function at Feroz Shah Kotla. Mahendra Singh Dhoni admired his side, which became the first Indian team to win a triangular one-day series in Australia. Dhoni said “The conduct of my team on and off the field is responsible for our victory.”

The little master Sachin Tendulkar, who played match-winning knocks in both the finals, told news channel CNN-IBN that the team hadn’t been diverted by the debates - which originated in the Sydney Test - during the tour. "Plenty of things happened on the field, but we were focused on the cricket."

Rohit Sharma, who made a vital 66 in the first final, said "We tried to enjoy our cricket as much as possible". "All the controversies motivated us."

A reward of Rs 10 crore (US$2.5 million) had already been announced for the team.