Border Gavaskar Trophy 2008 Trivia Quiz

Answer: India won 2-0

The test series between India and Australia in 2008 for the Border Gavaskar trophy was played in India. The previous series in 2007 in Australia was won by Australia. There were a total of four test matches in the series. India won the second and fourth test matches, the first and third were drawn. India thus won the series 2-0 and lifted the trophy.

Answer: Kumble

Prior to the start of the series, former Indian captain Saurav Ganguly had announced his decision to retire at the end of the series. Anil Kumble, who was the captain of the Indian team announced his retirement on the fifth day of the third test played at Delhi. Kumble was injured during the test and on the last day stunned everyone by announcing his decision to retire.

Answer: The highest test batting average

Indian batting maestro Sachin Tendulkar's performance in the first test was disappointing. But he made up for it by creating a new set of records in the series. In the second test at Mohali, Sachin broke Brian Lara's record of 11,953 test runs and became the highest run scorer in test cricket.

He also crossed 12,000 runs and became the first test player in history to do so. In the fourth test, Sachin also broke Allan Border's record of more than 90 fifty-plus scores (Border had 27 centuries and 63 fifties, Sachin at the end of the test had 40 centuries and 51 fifties).

Incidentally he also completed 100 catches in the series.

Answer: Jason Krejza

Off-spinner Jason Krejza made his debut for Australia in the last test match at Nagpur. He took 8 wickets in the first innings to join a select list of bowlers who took most wickets in an innings on debut (others in the list included Bob Massie and Narendra Hirwani).

In the second innings, he took 4 more wickets to end up with a match tally of 12 wickets, which was yet another record for him. He also had a dubious distinction of most runs given by a bowler on debut when he gave away 215 runs to take 8 wickets.

However, his spirited bowling performance won him the man of the match award for the last test.

Answer: Ishant Sharma

Indian fast bowler Ishant Sharma was declared as the man of the series for his good bowling performance. He took 15 wickets in 4 tests at an average of 27.06.

Answer: Gautam Gambhir

Indian opener Gautam Gambhir scored the most runs in the series. He scored 463 runs in 3 matches at an average of 77.16 with two centuries and one fifty. Tendulkar was second with 396 runs and third in the list was Australia's Michael Hussey with 394 runs.

Answer: Harbhajan Singh

Indian bowlers Harbhajan Singh and Ishant Sharma ended up with the most wickets in the series. Harbhajan took 15 wickets in 3 tests, whereas Ishant took 15 wickets in 4 tests. Amit Mishra took 14 wickets, Mitchell Johnson took 13 wickets and Jason Krejza took 12 wickets in the series.

Answer: Because he was banned from playing

Indian opener Gautam Gambhir had an on-field spat with Australian all-rounder Shane Watson in the third test. He elbowed Watson as he was taking off for a run. Both Watson and Gambhir were hauled up before the match referee. Watson was fined 10% of his fee for instigating the spat and Gambhir was banned for one test for indulging in physical contact (which is considered a severe offence).

Answer: For bowling spin bowlers after tea

On the fourth day of the fourth test at Nagpur, Australian bowlers took quick wickets and India was reduced to 6/166 and were in a precarious position. After the tea break, instead of continuing with the pace bowlers Lee and Watson who had taken wickets; Ponting decided to bowl the spin bowlers. Krejza, White and part-time bowler Hussey were given the ball. This was because of a slow over rate by the bowlers. Had the over-rate not been made up, Ponting could have been banned.

This decision hurt Australia as the Indian batsmen played comfortable and managed to set a target of 382 which Australia could not chase. Ponting's decision was severely criticized by former Australian greats like Ian Chappell, Allan Border and Jeff Thompson.

Answer: Mumbai

The first test match was played at Bangalore, the second at Mohali, the third at Delhi and the last test was at Nagpur. This time, Mumbai did not get a chance to host a test match.