IPL 2026 | Fortresses breached

Explore the dramatic fall of CSK’s home dominance in IPL 2026 as fortresses are breached and legends are challenged.

Between December 1970 and December 2017, the Western Australian Cricket Ground in Perth played host to 44 Tests until it was replaced by the modern monstrosity that goes as the Optus Stadium.

The WACA is one of the most iconic cricket grounds in the world, characterised by terrific pace and great bounce that set it apart from most other Test venues in Australia, possibly with the exception of Brisbane’s Gabba. It was a fast bowlers’ paradise, and therefore it should come as no surprise that of the 11 Tests won by visiting teams — Australia emerged triumphant in 25 — five went the way of West Indies and three were bossed by South Africa.

Asian nations featured in 11 Tests at a ground full of character and excellent cricketing vibes. One would have thought, given their array of pace riches, that Pakistan would have enjoyed at least some success, but all five Tests spread over a 25-year period between 1979 and 2004 ended in losses. Sri Lanka were well beaten in both their appearances, leaving India as the lone Asian team to taste victory at what is the most Australian of venues.

India’s only success at the WACA in January 2008, either side of three defeats, came against all odds. Just 10 days previously, in an acrimonious encounter at the Sydney Cricket Ground marked by a slew of terrible umpiring decisions, all of which went the home side’s way, and by allegations by Andrew Symonds of racist abuse against Harbhajan Singh, India failed to wind down the clock despite a spectacular rearguard action by braveheart skipper Anil Kumble. With less than five minutes left on the final evening, Michael Clarke took three wickets in five deliveries as Kumble watched on helplessly from the non-striker’s end, bowling Australia to a dramatic 122-run win. Allied with their comfortable victory in the first Test at the MCG, it gave the Aussies an unassailable 2-0 advantage in the four-match series.

At the end of the Test where he took great offence as he perceived his integrity to be questioned by an Indian journalist for selectively ‘claiming’ catches that were not, Ricky Ponting issued an unequivocal warning. He said that having won on subcontinent type pitches at the MCG and the SCG, his team would blow India away at the WACA, using pace and bounce as unforgiving allies. Oh, famous last words and all that.

In the wake of the targeting of Harbhajan, who was found guilty of racial abuse and slapped with a three-Test ban by match referee Mike Procter of South Africa, there were calls for India to abandon the tour and fly home to show solidarity with the beleaguered off-spinner. Kumble was firm in his conviction that the team should stay back and fight fire with fire, while making it clear that he and his boys and the BCCI were all solidly on Harbhajan’s side. Saner counsel prevailed and India lined up at the WACA — after a two-day practice game in Canberra — ready to face the ‘wild thing’ that Australia had promised to unleash.