With so many injuries in the Indian test team, this was supposed to be India’s ‘B’ team out on the field against the mighty Australians. However the ‘substitute’ captain Ajinkya Rahane and the supposed stand-ins for the big stars actually went out and showed everyone how it’s done. It was an emphatic 2-1 test series win. 20 Indian players played this series; the most in test history and a testament to India's immense bench strength.
Needless to say, cricket fans were over the moon; simply delighted with India’s win.
As satisfying, is the fact that with this win, India displace and overtake Australia in the ICC test rankings.
This test series down under has been so exciting that those who thought of the test match as a five-day-long drag have been forced to change their minds.
It was some of the newer, lesser-known players who did the work. Much has been written in the news about bowler Mohammed Siraj’s tearful emotional reaction to the playing of the Indian national anthem. He took 6 wickets in the match, including a vital 5 wicket haul in the second innings.
The young Indian team pulled off a stunner. No one performance stood out because it was a team effort in the real sense.
This win is being called historic since Australians haven’t lost a test match since1988 at the Gabba; when the West Indians did the deed under the leadership of the dashing Viv Richards.
To put things into perspective, Kohli was some days old at the time and Tendulkar had not yet made his debut.
Ajinkya Rahane’s understated but steely personality is in sharp contrast to the overt aggression and flambouyance of Kohli.
Australia made 369 in their first innings with India’s reply being 336. The Australians added to their slim lead by making 294 in their second innings; giving India a target of 324 runs to win.
Wicketkeeper-batsman Rishabh Pant took several important catches and then went on to play a doughty 89* in the second innings to help India win the test. He was also the series top scorer with 274 runs.
He played the sheet anchor role and made 56 in the second innings. More importantly he stayed at the crease to consume a vital 211 balls while receiving several hits from aggressive Aussie bouncers.
He was battered but unbeaten, unbowed. He hung on at the crease and just played a long and stellar test innings.
Tim Paine was sledging R Ashwin on day 5 of the third test when India denied Australia a win; the draw that felt very much like a win for India. "Can't wait to take you to Gabba, Ash," Paine had said.
This young Tamil Nadu player delivered with the bat and the ball: his 62 in the first innings was part of an important 123 run stand while he chipped in with 22 in the second innings which included a 6. He also took four wickets.
His 91 in the second innings showed talent, determination and character.
Print and online publications were left gushing over team India’s performance and emphatic test series win against the Australians. The Indian Express claimed to have no words for their headline while Midday made this pun on the word abattoir (slaughter house).
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