Australia – India Test Series Review

You know, you have witnessed an epic test cricket series, when the four test match series, boils down to the deciding test, down to the last day of the series, into the last hour and in this case simmering into the last few overs. The Border – Gavaskar series did exactly that. The incredible taste will linger on our tongues for eternity.

This has been a heroic test series for all its worth. Test cricket, deprived of all the action during the pandemic times needed a shot in the arm. The tonic duly arrived at the precise time just as the doctor ordered. The stage was set. The top 2 teams squaring it off in one of the most hostile environments in world cricket, on and off the pitch. Even though this was only test cricket, far less entertaining prospect than the T20 medicine, a billion hearts were pumping and rooting for their team.

To start with, India had a horror start in the 1st test. They were shot out for just 36 runs in the 2nd innings. The match was over in 3 days. Their lowest test score in decades. The ignominious defeat was compounded with their talismanic captain, Virat Kohli, heading home for paternity break. Critics and former players alike had written off the team long before they landed at MCG for the 2nd test, many even predicted a complete white-wash. The vice-captain, Ajinkya Rahane, albeit a brilliant batsman, but often seen as a reluctant leader was handed the captaincy baton to face the Aussie music. India’s swashbuckling opener, Rohit Sharma was still in quarantine down under. Fast bowler Mohammad Shami was ruled out of the series with injury. The chips were down. Team India truly had their backs to the wall. Could the prophecy come true?

Cometh the hour, cometh the man. This was cometh the team. India resoundingly thumped the Aussies at Melbourne to spice up the series. The captain leading from the front with a sublime century. It was a massive turnaround of epic proportions. What caught the eye was the manner in which India steamrolled the Kangaroos. Critics now stood up and took note. India was not going to lie down and take the beating; they would take this fight to their opponents. In fact, it was the Aussies who were under the pump. This time around, India lost another faster bowler, Umesh Yadav, to injury.

The teams landed in Sydney for the 3rd test. The swords were out. Aussies resorted to mind games prior to the test. Rohit Sharma was back into the team. The test ended in a draw, but not without its fair share of highlights reel. India snatched draw from the jaws of defeat. They doggedly kept the aussie attack at bay for over 130 overs to salvage the series. There were war of words flying across between the players from both sides. The hosts threw kitchen sink at the visitors who handled the pressure with commendable composure. But, the problems for India arose significantly. At the end of the game, India’s bowling department had been severely diluted. They had lost their fastidious allrounder in Ravindra Jadeja and spinner Ravichandran Ashwin to injury. Their premier fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah was also ruled out of the 4th test. Australia tasted blood and could not wait to move to Gabba.

The series came down to the final test at Brisbane. This was Aussie fortress that was hardly breached by visiting teams. India’s bowling department read; Mohammad Siraj, T. Natarajan, Shardul Thakur, Navdeep Saini and Washington Sundar. 2 of them were making their debut in this test match itself, while 2 others debuted in this series only. Their rags to riches story, will baffle cricket followers around the world. India had no business competing in this match, let alone winning it. Aussies smelled victory and knew the series was there for the taking.

Australia made a decent score of 300+ in the 1st innings. India responded with a scrappy 300+ score of their own, albeit largely in thanks to a century partnership in their lower order. Australia responded with another 300+ score, setting India a daunting task of chasing 329 going into the final day. India’s inexperienced attack had accounted for all 20 australian wickets, richly deserved. On a 5th day pitch showing signs of crumbling against a fierce opposition attack, the chances of Indian victory were minuscule. What happened next shocked even the most ardent Indian cricket fans.

Australia resorted to bodyline bowling with the indomitable Cheteshwar Pujara coughing up major body blows on the way to his slowest test fifty, while sewing up one end. At the other end talented young lads, led by young wicket-keeper batsman Rishabh pant and ably supported by classy Shubman Gill kept India alive in the chase. The idea surely was to draw at the start of the day. Up until the final hour, draw seemed the most plausible result. That’s when India tightened the noose around the aussie necks and went for the kill. India chased down the mammoth target and scripted a historic win by 3 wickets with just 3 overs to spare. This was almost a third strung Indian team against a formidable full-strength Australia. They had won back-to-back test series down under for the first time in their history.

This majestic comeback win was much sweeter than the last series victory. This was pure, unadulterated series victory with one of the youngest team to have taken the field in Australia. The naysayers were made to eat their own words and bite their tongue. Underestimate the men in blue at your own peril. The victory lap around the Gabba filled every Indian heart with proud and joy. You could be excused for shedding a few tears of happiness with them. This remarkable performance will be earmarked as one of the greatest turnaround victories in Test cricket history. If anybody says, test cricket is boring, beware, it is well and truly alive. Move aside T20, the white elephant is back and how!