Nagpur ODI: Australia's tale of pain at VCA stadium against India

The Australian cricket team are currently in the midst of a prolonged nightmare in ODIs. They have not won a bilateral series for two years and India has been the major factor in prolonging their nightmare. Australia has lost three consecutive bilateral series against Virat Kohli's team in India, losing 0-1 in 2010, 2-3 in 2013 and 1-4 in 2017. Recently, India created history by registering a bilateral ODI series win Down Under for the first time. After winning the first game in Hyderabad by six wickets, the second ODI will be played at the VCA stadium in Nagpur. Virat Kohli's side will be aiming to extend their advantage in the five-match series and they are favorites heading into the contest. 

The prime reason for India getting the favorites tag is Australia's record at the VCA stadium. The venue is Australia's ultimate nightmare story and looking at the way how the match in Hyderabad panned out, Australia has an uphill task to overturn their poor record. Here are the numbers which sum up Australia's pain.

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3 - Number of wins for India against Australia in Nagpur. Aussies have never won a match in Jamtha.

354 - Highest total for India at this venue against Australia. It was achieved in 2009 at the first game. 

5 - Number of games India have played at the VCA stadium in Nagpur. India have won all three matches against Australia but have lost to South Africa and Sri Lanka.

134 - MS Dhoni's average in VCA stadium, Nagpur. The former India skipper has scored two centuries at this venue, one against Australia in 2009 and 107 against Sri Lanka in the same year. 

2 - Number of times India have scored 350+ against Australia at this venue. In 2009, they scored 354 while in 2013, they chased down 350 with Virat Kohli and Shikhar Dhawan scoring hundreds.

268 - MS Dhoni's tally of runs in VCA stadium which is the highest in the current Indian cricket squad. Virat Kohli (209) and Rohit Sharma (204) are the only other players to score over 200 runs at this venue in ODIs.

2 - Number of century stands involving MS Dhoni in Nagpur. Both stands came in the 2009 ODI against Australia. Dhoni shared 136 for the fifth wicket with Suresh Raina while he notched up a stand of 119 with Gautam Gambhir. 

HIGHLIGHTS

• India have beaten Australia in all three ODIs in Jamtha, Nagpur.
• India won an ODI against Australia for the first time in Hyderabad.
• Australia has lost three consecutive bilateral series in India.