The final Test of the 1980-81 three-Test series against Australia was an important one for India. Down 0-1, the Indians needed to win the Test to level the series and share the spoils.

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Tremendous all-round spirit enabled them achieve a historic 59-run victory and level the series 1-1.

Winning the toss, Australia elected to field at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Indians got off to a bad start, losing the first three wickets within 43 runs. Chetan Chauhan, Sunil Gavaskar and Dilip Vengsarkar were all back in the pavilion.

Gundappa Vishwanath set about steadying the boat. He forged a 48-run fourth-wicket partnership with Sandeep Patil (23) before the latter's dismissal triggered a mini collapse as India lost another two quick wickets, that of Yashpahl Sharma and Kapil Dev, and the score read 115 for 6.

But Vishwanath offered stubborn resistance and put on 49 runs for the seventh wicket with Syed Kirmani, who scored a vital 25 before becoming Dennis Lillee's fourth victim of the innings.

Number ten batsman Shivlal Yadav scored a vital 20, putting on 40 runs for the ninth wicket with Vishwanath, who was finally dismissed for 114.

Dilip Doshi soon followed as India were bowled out for 237.

Australia's reply did not get off to a good start as they lost both openers for just 32. Captain Gregory Chappell, who went on to score 76, put on 108 runs for the fourth wicket with Allan Border, who top-scored for the Aussies with a well-made 124.

Runs continued to flow throughout the batting order as Kevin Walters, with 78, and wicketkeeper Rodney Marsh, with 45, frustrated the Indian bowlers.

Australia were bowled out for 419 in their first innings, taking a big lead first innings lead of 182 runs.

India needed a good batting performance to save the match, if not win it. The Indian openers got off to a perfect start, putting on 165 runs for the first wicket. Skipper Gavaskar (70) and Chauhan (85) showed gritty resistance as they played 378 deliveries between them. Vengsarkar (41), Vishwanath (30) and Patil (36) came up with a good middle order showing as India progressed to 245 for four. However, the lower order batsmen failed to click and the team folded at 324 for 9. Shivlal Yadav did not bat as he was hurt.

Lillee was the once again the top wicket-taker with figures of 4 for 104 in 32.1 overs. The Australians needed just 142 runs to win the Test. But what followed was one of the worst Australian batting performances ever witnessed as they were sent packing for just 83.

Kapil Dev's five wickets for 28 runs in 16.4 overs sent the Aussies crashing in their own backyard.

Only three batsmen could manage double figure scores, as the team collapsed in just 48.4 overs, handing India a famous overseas Test victory.

Brief scores:

India (1st Innings): 237 (GR Vishwanath 114, SMH Kirmani 25, DK Lillee 65-4, LS Pascoe 29-3)

Australia (1st Innings): 419 (AR Border 124, KD Walters 78, GS Chappell 76, DR Doshi 109-3)

India (2nd Innings): 324 (CP Chauhan 85, SM Gavaskar 70, DB Vengsarkar 41, DK Lillee 104-4)

Australia (2nd Innings): 83 (Kapil Dev 28-5, KD Ghavri 10-2).