Team India registered a emphatic second ever test series win in Australia. It’s a stellar comeback after a disastrous start in the first test.
Resuming at four for none on the final day, India overhauled the target with 18 balls to spare in a match that went down to the wire. At the start, India lost experienced vice captain Rohit Sharma (7) early but young Shubhman Gill (91) rose to the occasion with an impressive knock that kept India in the hunt as Chesteshwar Pujara dug heels on the other end. Rahane did try to build on the good start with his short but attacking 24-run knock before his sift dismissal.
Under fire before the Test series, wicket-keeper and batsman Rishabh Pant hit 89 not out off 138 balls with his breathtaking strokeplay to take India to the finish line in the final overs of the game.
India chased down 328 in the last innings and recorded India’s third highest succesful chase in test match cricket. India scored a whopping 324 runs on the final day of the Brisbane test.
Before this match, Australia had won 12 while India had won 9 out of the 27 total series played between India and Australia since 1947. This is India’s 10th series win against Australia.
Shubhman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara anchored the chase by scoring 91 and 56 runs, respectively. But it was Rishabh Pant yet again who provided the finishing blow to the innings with a quick and unbeaten 89 that helped India win the test match and the series. Washington Sundar, who was the hero of the first innings also played a cameo in taking the team over the line.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy once again comes to India. It is for the second consecutive time that India have won a test series in Australia.
This test match concluded a successful campaign for India down under. India had also won the T20 series 2-1.
The victory becomes even more significant as they were playing in the absence of their skipper Virat Kohli. Cricket experts around the world are lauding this Indian performance. The stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane would be proud of his team’s performance.
India on Tuesday became the first team to beat Australia at The Gabba in over 32 years when they defeated the hosts. In all, Australia had won 40 out of the 62 games they played at the venue prior to this match, losing just eight. Four of those losses have come against England while three came against West Indies, the last of which was in 1988. One came against New Zealand.
The BCCI announced a Rs 5 crore bonus for the Indian cricket team after the stupendous victory. BCCI President Sourav Ganguly and Secertary Jay Shah tweeted within minutes of each other to make the annoucement of a bonus. “Just a remarkable win…To go to Australia and win a test series in this way ..will be remembered in the history of indian cricket forever ..Bcci announces a 5 cr bonus for the team ..The value of this win is beyond any number ..well done to every member of the touring party,” Ganguly tweeted.
“The @BCCI has announced INR 5 Crore as team bonus. These are special moments for India Cricket. An outstanding display of character and skill,” Shah also posted.
Hailing the Indian cricket team for its victory, Prime Minister Narendra Modi took to Twitter saying their remarkable energy and passion was visible throughout.
“We are all overjoyed at the success of the Indian Cricket Team in Australia. Their remarkable energy and passion was visible throughout. So was their stellar intent, remarkable grit and determination. Congratulations to the team! Best wishes for your future endeavours,” Modi tweeted soon after India defeated Australia in Brisbane.
