A two-part documentary exploring the iconic rivalry between India and Australia and the obsession with the game will be released in November, ahead of the bilateral series between the two countries.
Cricket Australia commissioned award-winning film-maker Peter Dickson’s to produce the film, ‘2 Nations, 1 Obsession’.
“Based on the success of our last film - "Forged In Fire" Cricket's Greatest Rivalry which explores the Ashes legend we were commissioned to make this film this year,” Mr Dickson tells SBS Hindi.
The documentary explores fundamental differences in culture and character between two countries linked to their passion for the game of cricket.
Peter Dickson interviewed Australian and Indian cricketing legends such as Allan Border, Adam Gilchrist, Greg Matthews, Craig McDermott, Michael Kasprowicz, Greg Chappell on the Australian side and Indian legends such as Sunil Gavaskar, Kapil Dev, Bishan Bedi, Ravi Shastri, Dilip Vengsarkar, Gautam Gambhir.
The film focusses on key events in Australia-India contests over the past three decades.
“We explore the stories behind the remarkable 1986 Tied Test in Madras, the gripping final over bowled by Greg Matthews plus the remarkable nature behind Dean Jones’ double hundred.
“Fast-forward 15 years and the 2001 series between the nations is widely regarded as one of the best series ever played by Cricket purists. In particular, the dramatic Third Test where a plucky young off-spinner named Harbhajan Singh ripped through Australia to take 15 wickets for the match, and lead India to victory. But it was the infamous ‘Monkey Gate’ scandal in the 2007/08 series where relations between India and Australia reached its lowest ebb,” the filmmaker says.
This feature-length documentary goes behind the scenes to hear the real stories from the stars themselves – how and why the incident was so highly publicised at the time.
Indian fans react during the second T20 International match between Australia and India at the MCG in Melbourne, Friday, Jan. 29, 2016. Source: AAP Image/David Crosling
"India was bullied by the likes of England and Australia for many decades, but in this documentary, the rise of India into a genuine powerhouse – is chronicled in fascinating detail.
“No longer is the BCCI seen as the poorer cousin to the cricketing giants… it now rules the game.
“2 Nations 1 Obsession isn’t just an epic cricket story – it’s a tale of how two countries with such different DNA - can be brought together for the love of a game,” Mr Dickson told SBS Hindi.
The documentary premieres on Fox Cricket in November.
India vs Australia 2018-19 schedule
The Indian cricket team is set to spend two months in Australia starting mid-November and will begin their Australia tour with Twenty-20 matches.
Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney will host these T20 games on November 21st, November 23rd, and November 25th respectively while the blockbuster Border-Gavaskar trophy series will start on December 6th in Adelaide.
The Perth Stadium will host the second Border-Gavaskar match on December 14th, before the series moves to Melbourne for the boxing day test match on December 26th and Sydney for New Year's game on January 3rd, 2019.
India will then play three one-day internationals at Sydney (January 12th), Adelaide (January 15th) and Melbourne (January 18th).
India's Virat Kohli, left celebrates the wicket of Australia's George Bailey, right during their one day international cricket match in Melbourne, Australia. Source: AAP Image/AP Photo/Andy Brownbill
India tour of Australia
T-20s
First T20: Gabba, November 21
Second T20: MCG, November 23
Third T20: SCG, November 25
Tests
First Test: Adelaide Oval, December 6-10
Second Test: Perth Stadium, December 14-18
Third Test: MCG, December 26-30
Fourth Test: SCG, January 3-7
ODIs
First ODI: SCG, January 12
Second ODI: Adelaide Oval, January 15
Third ODI: MCG, January 18
