Perfect blend of youth and experience help India breach Gabba
Exactly a month ago no one would have believed that this team who were dismantled by Australia would come back this strong and that too on the back of uncountable injuries. This team and also a special mention to the coaching and support staff the physios, masseurs didn't lose their confidence at all and cherished together. This is the real beauty of test cricket, never disappoints you, always makes sure we are entertained throughout.
It all started with India at 4/0 and needing 324 more runs to score with 98 overs to be bowled only if the weather stayed sunny all day. The first session saw Rohit Sharma falling to the world's number one ranked test bowler. It was on the shoulders of Pujara and Gill to provide India a solid opening stand and they did it superbly. Pujara was at his usual best tiring on the bowlers and blocking the short stuff, he even suffered many body blows but still persisted throughout. Gill on the other hand was aggressive as he decided to take on the short ball ploy as enjoyed his time batting. Unfortunately for him, he was out against the run of play as he nicked one to the slips and fell at 91.
Rahane decided to not let the bowlers settle and scored at a rapid pace. But trying for one shot too many led to his downfall. Then the pair of Pujara and Pant ensured India don't lose any more wickets as they batted beautifully throughout the whole session and with Pujara at one end staying defensive, Pant managed to score runs at a good pace. After tea, India still needed more than 150 runs with around 40 overs left. They had to switch to the ODI mode to win the match and also the series.
They would still regain the trophy if they drew the match, but they decided to go for the win. Pant kept looking for loose deliveries and when offered took full toll on those. Cummins was the pick of the bowlers as he kept on taking wickets, with the other bowlers not being slightly up to the mark. Starc was pretty expensive too and that let India dominate the last session. Pujara fell for a jaffa from Cummins who took Pujara's wicket for the umpteenth time in this series. But Pujara did his job to make sure that India doesn't lose many wickets. One of the heroes from the first innings - Sundar came out to partner with Pant and the duo made a quick fifty partnership as they took full control over the Aussies. The moment of the session other than the winning shot was Sundar's six off Cummins which he hit over fine leg and that too on one leg, the next ball he swung his bat hard and found another boundary.
Searching for quick runs both Sundar and Thakur fell quickly with the margin to win brought down to single digits. A wide yorker to Pant which he nonchalantly sent down the ground went for four as India won the test match and finally Australia's fortress Gabba was breached after 32 years.
This test match and the series will go down memory lane among the most memorable ones as they regained the trophy without the likes of Kohli, Shami, Ishant, Yadav. With Ashwin, Bumrah, Jadeja, Vihari not playing the final test only worsened the situation for India. But they showed great attitude, character, grit, and temperament throughout the series and were able to win it for the nation.
After a long tour that lasted nearly two months was more thrilling than an actual movie. It had all the roles perfectly played in it. We saw many names rise to the top and one name - T. Natarajan who had the tour of a lifetime as he debuted in all the formats and made his name on the side. With several injuries to the players, Australia would have thought it would be easy to win. But a huge amount of the first-class experience meant that even the India 'A' guys were able to defeat the mighty Aussies at their home.
Brief Scores:- Australia 369 & 294 lost to India 336 & 329/7(Gill 91, Pant 89*;Cummins 4-55) by 3 wickets.
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