Greatest Test Win For India Ever!

In what could be termed a historic Test series win for Team India! Rishabh Pant’s (89*), Shubman Gill’s (91) and Washington Sundar’s (22) helped India touch the finish line on Day 5 of the fourth Test against Australia at the Gabba on Tuesday. India chased the 328 runs in its second innings to win the fourth Test by 3 wickets and claim the Border-Gavaskar series 2-1.

“It means a lot to us. I don’t know how to describe this, but our boys showed a lot of character and determination after the Adelaide Test. I’m really proud of each individual. The conversation between Pujara and me was that he would bat normal, and I would take it on. Credit to Pujara, the way he handled the pressure was magnificent. Rishabh and Washington were very good at the end. Taking 20 wickets was the key, so we opted for 5 bowlers. Sundar brought the balance in place of Jadeja. The intention was clear to play five bowlers. Siraj played two Tests, Saini just one, so it was inexperienced but the character shown by the bowlers and everyone else was incredible. We didn’t discuss anything about Adelaide. Just played wanted to play the remaining games with a good attitude and character without worrying about the result,” Captain Ajinkya Rahane said, in the post-match presentation.

India had scored 336-10 (111.4 Overs) in its first innings. Rohit Sharma (44), Shubman Gill (7), Cheteshwar Pujara (25), Rahane (37), Mayank Agarwal (38), Rishabh Pant (23), Washington Sundar (62), Shardul Thakur (67), Navdeep Saini (5), Mohammed Siraj (13) and Thangarasu Natarajan (1). While Australia in its first innings scored 369-10 (115.2 Overs) with Labuschagne having slammed 108 for the hosts. In the bowling department for India – T Natarajan, Thakur and Washington Sundar scalped three wickets each, while Siraj picked one.

In the second innings, India scored 329-7 (97 Overs) with Rohit Sharma (7), Shubman Gill (91), Cheteshwar Pujara (56), Rahane (24), Mayank Agarwal (9), Rishabh Pant (89*), Washington Sundar (22), Shardul Thakur (2) and Navdeep Saini (0). While Australia in the second innings scored 294-10 (75.5 Overs) with Steven Smith having top-scored 55 runs for the hosts. For India, Siraj and Thakur scalped five and four wickets respectively, while Sundar took one.

“This one of my biggest days in life. The support the team has given me even when I was not playing has been incredible. It’s a dream come true. We’ve been practising hard after the first Test. The team management always backs me and tells me you are match-winner and you have to go out there and win and I am happy I did it today. It was a fifth-day pitch and the ball was turning,” Rishabh Pant said.

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

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.
— Narendra Modi (@narendramodi) January 19, 2021