What happened?
India managed to score 329 runs to inflict Australia’s first loss in Brisbane for 33 years and win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in one of the greatest test cricket series of all time.
An Indian victory looked unlikely but big contributions from Shubman Gill (91) and Rishabh Pant (89 not out) saw India win a historic test match and subsequently the series against a shocked Australia. The winning runs hit by Pant sparked wild celebrations from the Indian side which came into the series as massive underdogs.
How big is this achivement?
The achievement from the Indian side really cannot be emphasised enough. Before the tour started it was an incredibly young Indian side and they were absolutely embarrassed in the first test when they were all out for just 36 runs. The situation then got even bleaker for the Indian side when they lost star player and captain Virat Kohli due to paternity leave. However, India came back to win the second test in Melbourne, then drew in Sydney before the miraculous win in Brisbane.
It truly is one of the best comebacks and series wins in test cricket history. Winning away in test cricket is a great achievement anyway, but to win in Australia is probably the hardest thing to do in the sport. The pitches are lightning fast and made to suit Australia’s formidable pace attack and Australia boast two of the best batsmen in the world in Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne.
But India were just the better side overall. Unlike the Ashes of 2019 when Australian mistakes cost them, the simple fact is that the Indians were the better team over the course of the series and in a test match that came down to the final day, it was the Indians that prevailed due to their calm, measured batting that was aggressive at the right times.
“This is India’s greatest overseas win” @ParkLife_Sport own Farman Siddiqui spoke to @espn own Raunak Kapoor on India’s test victory over Australia earlier today #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/KqYp30mjUs
— Park Life Sport (@ParkLife_Sport) January 19, 2021
Reaction from both sides
In the aftermath of the game, Indian stand in captain Ajinkya Rahane said, “I don’t know how to describe this victory. I’m really proud of all the boys. We didn’t talk about anything after Adelaide, we just wanted to show good character and express ourselves. It was all about a team effort.”
Meanwhile gutted Australian captain Tim Paine said, “In the key moments we were found wanting and completely outplayed by India, who fully deserved their series win.” Virat Kohli also tweeted his congratulations for his side from home in India.
WHAT A WIN!!! Yessssss. To everyone who doubted us after Adelaide, stand up and take notice. Exemplary performance but the grit and determination was the standout for us the whole way. Well done to all the boys and the management. Enjoy this historic feat lads. Cheers 👏🏼🇮🇳 @BCCI pic.twitter.com/CgWElgOOO1
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) January 19, 2021
The series as a whole is reminiscent of the brilliant 2005 Ashes. It had both sets of supporters engaged throughout and either side could have won. Unlike 2005, it was batting that prevailed in the end for India, whereas famously in 2005 England took the final wicket with only two runs remaining. The one similarity in both these incidents is Australian heartbreak.
What next?
There is little time to celebrate for the Indian side. They will return home, where they will prepare for a four test series against England which will start on February 4th. Before that England have the second test against Sri Lanka, where they currently lead 1-0. The final test for that series starts on Thursday.
England will also face Australia in the Ashes series down under at the end of the year and they will certainly be looking at this Indian performance as a benchmark to beat the Aussies.
