The fact that India have yet to win a Test series in Australia has been drilled into the head of every cricket enthusiast here. But there is more sadness to that history: India lost the opening Test in all their eight series losses Down Under. Let's start at the very beginning of the rivalry. Lala Amarnath's independent India took on Don Bradman's stalwarts at Brisbane in 1947. Australia ended Day One on 273 for three with Bradman smashing an unbeaten 160. Rain hit Brisbane on the second day and Bradman declared when Australia scored an additional 36 runs without losing a wicket.

The Indians got caught on a typical Brisbane 'sticky dog' wicket to be bowled out for 58 and 98 after following on. Game over. After a draw in Sydney, Australia won the next three. In 1967-68, MAK Pataudi's leg injury forced him to miss the opener at Adelaide, where Chandu Borde led India, and Australia ended the day with 311 for six. The hosts lost their next four wickets for only 24 runs. An encouraging 307 all out-reply notwithstanding, the Indian bowlers allowed Australia to cream them in the second innings in which Bob Simpson and Bob Cowper carved hundreds. Chasing 398 for victory, India succumbed to 251. Australia won the next three Tests. A thriller in the 1977-78 opening Test at Brisbane had critics recalling the exciting Tied Test of 1960-61, featuring the Australians and West Indians. India ended up losing by 16 runs.