Test Cricket at its Best and it is there to stay ! And India Celebrate a famous Overseas Series win

 

 

The Australia – India Cricket Test  series played in the summer in Australia was a fascinating duel in the purest form of this game for the Border – Gavaskar trophy  –  The trophy is named after two legends of each country , Allan Border of Australia and Sunil Gavaskar for India.

 

With the T20 gaining popularity , at times even the One day matches seemed to be a bore. And there were enough voices that said – Test Cricket is done and dusted , give it a decent funeral . But this series just turned Test cricket in to one of the most intense battles over the five days and with the  competitiveness over which they were played , it brought back  the thrill of the game over the longer version.

 

The first test was a sort of a disaster for the Indian team if one would  describe it . Having taken a first inning lead , one would have expected the team to set a target for the second inning for the Aussies and defend it . Bit a horror batting display led the team to recording their lowest ever total and losing the test and being outplayed totally. And with their Captain leaving for his Paternity leave , it was expected the team would crumble and lose the  remainder of the tests and the series would be a whitewash.

 

But then , with Ajinkya Rahane taking up the leadership mantle , the team turned it around in the second test and won the match very convincingly to level the series. It was a remarkable bounce back considering the score they made in the first test second innings.  The captain led front from the front , quiet , unassuming , cool and being level headed. People were noticing the new leader .

 

The third test all the way beckoned an Australian win .  It was set up that way. Although there was a Rishab Pant dashing knock  during the chase , India were in the barrel – A limping Vihari and Ashwin blocked close to 50 overs to deny the Aussies the victory and the lead in the series. I was surprised that Australia  not being  what they are known for --  not finishing the game off and allowing this great escape . And may be this played out in the final test at Brisbane !

 

With that the series was nicely laid out for the final match at Brisbane  at which venue , Australia had not lost a test match in the last 32 years . Australia needed to win to regain the trophy while a draw was sufficient for the Indian team to retain the trophy. Sunil Gavaskar was one person who quipped that the Indian team should go out and win and he was highly optimistic about it . I do not think anyone heard him seriously and there were reasons as to why they just choose to ignore the legend’s comment –

 

India had a limping team – They had to just get in eleven fit players in to the ground – And their bowling was  the most inexperienced  to take on the mighty Aussies. And to make  matters worse Aussies won the toss and batted . But the Indian attack really kept their tails up and every time , Aussie threatened with a partnership , they found a way to break – but  369 was a score from which Aussies would never loose with the bowling attack they had.

And they had the Indian team on the mat  five wickets down , but young Washi and Shardul batted brilliantly to keep India in the hunt.This , I thought was where the match was lost by Australia .  The partnership ensured that Aussies did not get a big lead. With rain threats , Australia batted fast and furious trying to set a target that India could not chase. Again , the Indian bowling stood up to the test. Siraj , Shardul , Washi and Saini  , all rookies did not bat an eyelid , kept a nagging length and the target was 328 for India to chase in 98 overs on the final day. How nicely this was set up 😊

 

The first session of the final days play belonged to Shubman Gill. While Pant finished it  off , it was Gill who kept the chase on after Rohit Sharma’s dismissal. Shubman was elegant , played  late and looked to be a master at work . Unfortunate to miss his Century , he really created a Big impression.

 

Pujara was the Rock – He took not less than ten hits – to the helmet , body ,  hands , forearm --bruised all over but he applied himself to not giving his wicket away.When Rahane played a sweet little cameo , India still needed 165 runs when Pant walked in – And Pant was Pant – Some atrocious hitting , he kept the Aussies on their toes but still at tea the target looked pretty far away --  183/3 in 63 overs and needed good  145 runs from 35 overs –

The new ball taken at 80 overs saw  Pujara fall ( a marginal decision ) but with Washi , Pant continued the chase.  Pant kept everyone nerves going  – no one spared as he wafted with risk and reward at the same time .But it paid off . And with Washi hooking Starc for a six ( it was a magnificent hit ) , it was becoming clear that India was on the charge – Nervous moments as the last 30 runs or so were chased down. Washi and Shardul fell but Pant pulled it off.

It was an amazing chase –  and it ended in of the best series win by India on overseas soil !

What clicked :

First , Kohli going on paternity leave , brought in a captain that was a different personality compared to Kohli .  Cool , calm and composed , his focus and understanding of  the match situation was fantastic. He used his raw resources brilliantly. We saw a new Ajinkya Rahane that we have never seen before.

Excellent find – And the icing was in the post-match celebrations . It was a celebrations alright  but it was neat and nice and composed one  – And they did a nice job by giving Nathan Lyon a  T Shirt signed by all Indian team players for  Lyon’s 100 match –  Rahane should continue as the Test Captain .. Kohli can do the white ball cricket honours. 

The rookies on the team – They had nothing to lose – They were fearless and when you play fearless cricket , the results are dramatic. 

Shubman is the find of the tour – Standing up to Cummins , Starc and Hazelhood is no joke . Here he was , taking them on and played the hook and pull shorts with disdain and so no fear of the short ball stuff. 

Washi – He was one who used the opportunity to play that All-rounder role – He may have bowled more overs in this test  than he would have for his domestic  team Tamilnadu in a match  but he took that task on – And he could prise out Steve Smith as his first wicket – 

Shardul – He has been threatening for a long time – But he lacked the consistency and discipline – This performance would have given him greater confidence and he can be one of those all-rounders to count on 

Siraj – Ignoring his personal tragedy , he claimed his first fiver of his test career. I have seen Siraj bowl in the past – His length and line were never consistent and he would leak runs. It was amazing as to how he took on the role of the Lead Bowler  ( And he was experienced than the rest by a test ! )

Natarajan – What a tour of Australia he has had ? A super nowehere to fame story ! 

Pujara – What a rock for the tests – So many blows and everytime he was hit , I used to duck and grimace in pain.. That was the standard of the Aussie bowling – But Pujara never flinched – He was the one who deflated the Aussie Bowlers

And Finally Pant – He is a match winner, never a doubt – He did threaten in the Sydney test but this time he ensured that India got past the line. His shot making can never impress a coach but who cares – The end result was the one that mattered . He played with aplomb and with luck with him , he was the star. Does Fortune not favour the brave ? 

And all these rookies are young and can be trusted to deliver for the team in the future. Things really look bright for the Indian Cricket

And Australia have a lot to ponder ! 

What a Test series – Every session on each day was fought so well . there was never a dull moment and no cricket fan can complain !

And on that captaincy , Chetan Sharma sir , please take note .