The Harder The Battle, The Sweeter The Victory: Team India Breaches Fortress Gabba

An inexperienced and injury struck team of Men in Blue did the unthinkiable by winning the Border Gavaskar Trophy by 2-1, creating history at the Gabba test. On the final day, India won by 3 wickets which sent a wave of excitement across the social media platforms.

What made this victory special was the fact that several important players had been injured through the course of the series, leaving the momentous task on the shoulders of a young brigade. Captain Virat Kohli also went back after the first match for paternity leave. The Indian team was also much inexperienced on the ground as compared to the Australians.

Australian head coach Justin Langer went on to comment: "Never ever, ever underestimate the Indians, "It was an incredible Test series and in the end there is always a winner or a loser. Today Test cricket is the winner. It's gonna hurt us big time. India deserved full credit. They have been outstanding but we have learnt lessons from it,"

Rishabh Pant's performance was outstanding and was appaluded by the Australian coach himself. Both Pant and Shubham Gill depicted incredible performance by scoring 89 and 91 respectively. Ajinkya Rahane who led the team in the absence of Kohli, became the second Indian and Asian captain to win a Test series on the Australian soil.
 

Top three Batting Performers of Team India in the test series:
 

1. Rishabh Pant
Runs: 274, Highest Score: 97

2. C Pujara
Runs: 271, Highest Score: 77

3. Ajinkya Rahane
Runs: 268, Highest Score: 112

 

Top three Bowling Performers:
 

1. Md Siraj
Wickets: 13

2. R Ashwin
Wickets: 12

3. Jasprit Bumrah
Wickets: 11

Pat Cummins of Australia was awarded the Player of the Series while Rishabh Pant grabbed the Player of the Match.

 

"It was an amazing effort. Pant's innings somewhat reminded me of Ben Stokes' innings in Headingley actually. He came in, he was almost fearless and he will be lauded because of it. It was an unbelievable innings," the Australian Coach said in his praise for Pant's performance.

Meanwhile, Indian Coach Ravi Shastri termed the victory as "unreal" after the catastrophe at Adelaide.

The victory has given India 430 points putting it ahead of New Zealand and Australia in the ICC World Test Championship Standings.

Key Highlights:

⦁    India became the first team after West Indies to beat Australia in Brisbane since 1988
⦁    India pulled off the highest successful run chase of 328 at the Gabba to win the final Test
⦁    India took over Australia to grab the 2nd position in the Test team rankings

With the existing COVID situation, Saurabh Ganguly's detoriating health conditions, absence of key players and a series of injuries durign the match, the moment became far much emotional for the Indian cricket team.

Ravi Shastri told the reporters after the match: ""I'm not someone who gets emotional but even I had real tears in my eyes because this is unreal. What these guys have pulled off will go down in history as one of the greatest series ever played,".

"When you look at the COVID situation and the spate of injuries, all those things when you take it into account then to show the stomach for a fight after being bowled out for 36 is unimaginable," he further added.
 

Sourav Ganguly, President of the BCCI reacted: "We are extremely proud of the series win. Beating Australia in Australia by a young team will remain etched in the history of Indian cricket forever. It cannot get better than this. I am so proud of everyone. Congratulations to Ajinkya Rahane and Ravi Shastri and the rest of the touring party for this remarkable feat."

A cash prize has also been proclaimed by the BCCI for team India for this victory.

The series was one of a kind which showcased grit, determination as well as resilience. Team India's victory depicted the spirit of team-play, co-ordination and hard work. Team Checkbrand congratulates Team India on this historic win !

                                                                               नाभिषेको न संस्कारः सिंहस्य क्रियते वने। विक्रमार्जितसत्वस्य स्वयमेव मृगेन्द्रता॥

                                Nobody declares a lion as the king of forest by doing rituals. By sheer might of his own, a lion achieves the status of lord of animal kingdom