in the series. This was the first time that Australians were 0-1 down in a home series since 1994. Dravid won the man of the match award for his efforts. Dravid registered a score of ninety each in the next two tests as Australia leveled the series 1–1. Dravid top scored for India in the series with 619 runs at an average of 123.80 and was awarded player of the series for his efforts. Dravid did moderately well in the ensuing VB series with three fifties in the league stage, all of which came in winning cause. However, India lost the best-of-three finals to Australia 2–0. Dravid was fined half his match fee for applying cough lozenge on the ball during a match in the series against Zimbabwe – an act that was claimed to be an innocent mistake by coach John Wright. India visited Pakistan in March 2004 to participate in a bilateral Test series for the first time since 1989/90. Prior to the Test series, India played and won the 5-match ODI series 3–2. Dravid top scored for India in the series with 248 runs at an average of 62.00 and a strike rate of 73.59 and effected four dismissals (3 catches, 1 stumping). His significant contributions included 99 runs in the First ODI and an unbeaten fifty during a successful chase in the Fourth ODI. Dravid captained India in the first two of the ensuing three-match test series in the absence of injured Ganguly and led India to their first-ever Test victory in Pakistan. Standing in only his second test as team's captain, Dravid took a bold and controversial decision during First Test at Multan, declaring Indian innings at the fall of fifth wicket with scoreboard reading 675/5 and Tendulkar unbeaten at 194, just six runs shy of a double hundred. He wanted to have a crack at the tired Pakistani batsmen, who had been on field for 150+ overs, in the final hour of second day's play. While some praised the team before personal milestones approach of the Indian captain, others criticized Dravid's timing of declaration as there were no pressing concerns and there was ample time left in the match to try and bowl Pakistan out twice. While Tendulkar was admittedly disappointed, any rumours of rift between him and Dravid were quashed by both the cricketers and the team management, who claimed that the matter