INDIA … INDIA. My goodness … this team can do wonders. Frankly speaking this is the greatest ever comeback victory I have ever witnessed in my life. Also, what makes the victory so special is that it has come, when no one including me expected it. This series is a perfect recipe for an inspirational movie. We will discuss how the series unfolded after a loss in ODIs followed by a win in T20Is and then the Test. What has this tour proved and what debate sit has started .. we will have a look at all these stuffs. So … let’s enthrall into the journey …..

The Limited Overs Leg

ODIs : INDIA fails to chase AUSSIE Batting

The tour started with ODIs, where AUS turned out victorious with a margin of 2-1. In the first 2 matches AUS went to bat out first on a batting paradise and smashed their hell out with scores of 375 and 390. IND tried to reach the target, but the high required rate ensured wickets falling at regular intervals, resulting in IND staying below the target both times. STEVE SMITH was the highlight of AUS who smashed 2 100s, both in 62 balls. In the third game, IND won the toss and opted to bat with every player in the XI who didn’t got a game. SHUBHMAN looked really positive and he should have played all 3 in my opinion. After VIRAT got out at 63, IND seemed in trouble with 150 odd for 5, but JADEJA and PANDYA played some mature and sensible knocks taking IND well past 300. We look more comfortable while defending … no doubt as was also seen that day. Anytime someone tried to make a comeback we ensured he gets out and we finished losing the series 1-2. We can say that ROHIT’s absence did hurt us while chasing the big targets in the series.

T20Is : INDIA cite a Bounce Back

Now, came up the T20Is, in the first match INDIA struggled a bit initially as all batsmen got out after getting starts, at last it was JADEJA again whose 44 ensured we got past 160. JADEJA also got hit on the head and was replaced by CHAHAL as the Concussion who came and picked up 3 breaking the backbone of AUS batting, other bowlers too ensured that we wrap them at 150 odd and take the lead. In the 2nd match, IND opted to bowl and AUS posted 194. During INDIA’s batting, initially runs weren’t coming but just one six came up on a free hit and runs started coming like a river. VIRAT, DHAWAN and RAHUL paved the way and it was HARDIK who ensured with his sensible finishing that INDIA came out victorious both in the match as well as in the series. PANDYA’s rise has made INDIA’s lower order TOO strong and once he starts to bowl, our balance will be unmatchable. In the 3rd T20I, though the target was 10 runs lesser than the 3rd one, but IND fell short of it in a close game, VIRAT (85) didn’t got the support he needed from the other end, but anyway INDIA won the series 2-1. A solid middle order option, instead SURYAKUMAR YADAV is needed to strengthen our batting loopholes. But, anyways VIRAT is now the only captain to win series in all formats in AUS (3 match or more) and also we have T20I series in all SENA countries … Great from T20 WC point of view … isn’t it ?

The TEST

IND-AUS Test series are always a recipe for full on entertainment for cricket lovers. The BORDER-GAVASKAR Trophy also holds some great historical significance. The series had its Favorites definitely in AUS as their main batsmen SMITH and WARNER were back. IND who won the series last time but most experts nullified the value of the victory citing SMITH and WARNER’s absence. The fact that VIRAT was to return back for the birth of his child added to INDIA’s worries … and everyone including I thought that INDIA can win the series only if it wins the first match.

ADELAIDE : The ‘Winter of 36’ in Pink

INDIA won the toss and went to bat, now we know that VIRAT has never lost a match after winning the toss … so the confidence was pretty high keeping in mind AUS were to chase in the 4th innings that too with the Pink Ball. Here also things seemed going pretty well when INDIA was 188-3 and VIRAT was looking as solid as rock in his 74. But … just then took place a mishap as some confusion between two very highly co – ordinated batsmen (VIRAT – RAHANE) and VIRAT was RUN OUT. Everyone seemed shocked and AUS delighted. RAHANE couldn’t sustain the shock and pressure, and himself got out in quick succession. After that, the whole team fell like a pack of cards and wrapping up at 244, which could or instead should have been well over 300. But INDIAN Bowlers were as focused at the target and ASHWIN and BUMRAH ensured that AUS batsmen struggle and bundle out at 191, though if catches would have been taken, it would have been well under 120 and Lead would have been huge. IND had lost PRITHVI’s wicket by the end of that day but looked very comfortable heading for the win.

The next day came as a surprise for everyone, at 15 fell the 2nd, 3rd, 4th and then the 5th wicket. VIRAT too slipped this time when score was 19 and slowly the scoreboard read 36/9 just within my one class (1 hour duration) and IND was forced to come back as SHAMI got his hand severely injured. CUMMINS and HAZLEWOOD are great bowlers but even they know that this score can’t come up just with great piece of bowling, and sheer bad luck (on the part of batsmen) is also needed to nick out almost everything. The target of 90 runs was anyways non-defendable and AUS went up winning by 8 wickets. Everyone including players and fans were in a shock that what has just happened. The team which was looking strong and confident few hours back looked all the way in despair with their best batsman and Captain prepping to go back. The team was literally shocked and heartbroken at the result and needed support. But, instead it received was criticism, trolling and 0-4 predictions. VIRAT with a heavy heart had a mini discussion with the team before leaving … and from there on it was AJINKYA RAHANE who had the team’s command … a player whose own form was under scrutiny. The 0-4 predictions seemed realistic at that time.

“A Black Day for Indian Cricket was marked but no one knew at that time what will happen exactly one month from now”

MELBOURNE : A Comeback like Never Before

RAHANE came up with 4 changes, out of which too were obvious (SHUBHMAN for PRITHVI) and (SIRAJ for SHAMI), and (PANT for SAHA) was done to strengthen the batting in VIRAT’s absence. The main decision was supposed to be the one to be brought in for VIRAT and JADEJA was brought in. This decision turned out to be a game changer for us. A team which was supposed to be demoralized came out guns blazing at the Aussie batting. The whole batting line up was wrapped up at 195. The way ASHWIN was dominating over SMITH on a non-friendly spin wicket was almost choking out the whole Aussie batting lineup. SIRAJ … who was playing without heading back home after his personal loss (He lost his father) was very impressive on debut. Now, INDIA had a great opportunity for taking a big lead and the eyes centered on the debut man … SHUBHMAN GILL.

The Aussie bowling was pouncing upon him and he too looked nervous, but after 4-5 overs the glorious shots started to come out and soon he was playing just as we know him. After his impressive debut score of 45 , remaining batsmen were not able to convert starts into big scores. Then the responsibility was taken by none other than our Captain … JINX. Just out of nowhere came the RAHANE we all were waiting for. The beautiful and attacking shots right up on the face of the bowlers and he was leading from the front, he went on to score one of his finest ever 100s. Soon he was accompanied by JADEJA who also went to a decent fifty but also ran RAHANE out … and latter’s reaction of (It’s Okay) just won hearts. Now, after INDIA had the lead of 130 odd runs, AUS was anyways under pressure and our fiery bowling ensured that we don’t get a target of more than 70 odd runs. The target was chased on successfully at the loss of 2 wickets with the winning runs coming out of RAHANE only. This victory will anyways go down as one of the greatest ever victories. The team showed result when perhaps no one expected it to and the whitewash predictions had vanished.

“This victory was historic because it came after a historic loss”

SYDNEY : Showcase of INDIA’s Resilience and Character

As was expected … AUS came onto the field eyeing a comeback and their faltering batting made sure that they had to bring back WARNER even when he was not fully fit. While we had ROHIT back in place of MAYANK , while UMESH too getting injured paved the way for SAINI’s debut. Though WARNER wasn’t able to score, but the other spearhead SMITH was back in form with a blazing 100. Some other contributions from LABUSCHAGNE and PUCOVSKI took the total to 330 odd. Now, for INDIA while GILL had his maiden fifty, but rest batting faltering out brought AUS in a strong position. JADEJA spent some time on the crease unless wickets weren’t left at the other end, bringing down the lead below 100. In the next innings, wicket had flattened out just way too much and again AUS batting took charge, at the end they were just smashing like a limited overs game and finally they declared at 320-6 giving INDIA a target of 407. By the day end’s play, we had lost both openers at the score close to 100. The next day came full of surprise, as when RAHANE got out, it was not VIHARI who walked in but it was PANT who straightaway played the way he does. STARC, LYON everyone seemed ordinary in front of PANT-HITTING. His quick fire knock kept INDIA very well in the chase and PUJARA at the other hand was taking balls at every part of his bat as well as his body.

Just then PANT got out with the aim of hitting one more to LYON. PUJARA seemed positive but after a while was bowled at a very accurate delivery. Now, it was all onto the broken/injured shoulders of ASHWIN and VIHARI, both who were at tremendous pain and weren’t able to stand or walk properly. With 127 runs needed in the last session, it was very clear that INDIA will head on to draw only. I was personally too scared as the ’36 Nightmare’ was knocking at the back of my mind. But to everyone’s surprise the duo batted, batted and batted till the day ended. VIHARI was at 20 odd facing 150 odd deliveries and completely frustrated the AUS bowling. ASHWIN too … brought out the batsman inside him and faced everything thrown at him with utmost ease. They played 259 deliveries together and countered all the sledges with just a defense on the next ball. AUS who almost were there at the victory couldn’t have just believed that IND has went past this match with a draw. A fun fact here is, JADEJA whose injury was even severe, was sitting with injections and pain killers, padded up to come out batting if the team needed. Also, SIRAJ was racially abused and called ‘Allah-o-Akbar Terrorist’ (as if abusing in the name of religion in INDIA wasn’t enough that now even the Aussies will abuse us on that). By this point, all the trolls and critiques had disappeared and INDIA’s resilience and character was the ‘Inspiration next door’.

“The confidence Indian Team got after this Draw turned out to be the deciding factor in the Decider”.

BRISBANE : The Historic Climax at the GABBA

Brisbane is a ground … where AUS have been unbeaten for 32 years and INDIA has never ever won a match. While INDIA had further lost ASHWIN, BUMRAH, JADEJA and VIHARI as well. RAHUL too getting ruled out during practice lead to INDIA getting short of players to fill in the XI. INDIA was forced to bring in net bowlers NATARAJAN, THAKUR and SUNDAR back in the squad. Running short of batsmen they were forced to head back for AGARWAL that too putting him in the middle order. The decision of picking SUNDAR when KULDEEP was in the squad seemed disastrous at that point, at least to me. So it was the experience of almost 10 odd wickets competing against 1000+ wickets and we know where the prediction will point towards. AUS was very confident or rather say complacent for Brisbane, after all their Captain PAINE was very eager to see us in Brisbane. The AUS batting was again looking solid when they posted 334 and IND bowling struggled, but did a good job. Now, IND batting never quite looked settled, even after a good start no one was able to reach a big score and IND seemed in deep trouble at 186-6. From there on, the charge was taken by two Debutants SUNDAR (who proved me wrong badly) and SHARDUL (SHARDUL had bowled just 10 balls on his actual debut). The AUS bowling went complacent just for a while and IND posted a serious comeback on the stage. SHARDUL was playing some serious shots while SUNDAR too maintained composure. The batting that looked dead some whiles earlier suffered a lead of just 33 runs which was just outrageous from the AUS point of view.

The AUS was back at batting for the last time in the series and IND bowling though struggled but never looked ‘Weak’ as they were taking wickets at regular intervals. AUS went on to post a score of 294 and SIRAJ … who was racially abused once again took a Fifer. Now, showers made sure that INDIA needed 320 odd runs at the last day with wickets breaking down continuously. INDIA could have easily went on to draw the match, level the series and retain the Trophy, the humiliation would still have on Aussies part. I personally was ready to accept even a defeat as I knew that this team has fought too hard despite all the difficulties and injuries. But well … our Young Brigade had other ideas. We lost ROHIT early but GILL went on to bat as if he has fittingly put on the shoes of INDIA’s Best Batsmen (Keeping in mind he is called next KOHLI). He was scoring at a quick pace without hitting a bad shot. Some glorious cover drives and 14 off STARC’s over ensured that we were continuously on the hunt. After he missed on a well deserved 100, RAHANE came up with a quickfire 24 (of 22) which though seems a small score, but not only it made the mindset clear that we are going for a win, but also forced the Aussies to spread open their fields allowing more singles and doubles. Then the charge was taken up by PANT … he played with immense maturity. PUJARA whose fifty in the match will go down very underrated if not discussed. His 56 came off 256 balls for which he took many blows on his body but never for once lost his concentration and focus. After the new ball came, PUJARA got out and so did AGARWAL after a while.

INDIA could still have escaped the easy route but PANT was hanging in there, using the new ball to his advantage playing rock solid shots all over the ground. Slowly, the required runs, came below 70, 50 and then 30. But at the same time the required run rate was rising, after which SUNDAR went on for a six leaving everyone surprised. By the end there were a few shots which were risky but as we know Fortune TOO favors the bold. Rain which played a spoiler in every day of the match seemed no way near … as if even the rain was left amazed by our determination. PANT also brought out his out of the box shots and when just 3 was needed, he pushed a ball through mid off which seemed a double initially but instead went on to four and made the way for INDIA’s most memorable victory ever. The whole team ran out on the grounds and everyone was just too delighted. The whole team ran walked across the ground with Tricolor in hands. RAHANE just like a great captain handed the Tricolor to PANT. The trophy was handed to the INDIAN TEAM once again for third consecutive time and it marked INDIA’s greatest ever series victory in Tests. All this while, the goosebumps experienced by the fans just can’t be depicted in words. Interestingly the top run scorers of the series were SMITH and LABUSCHAGNE while the top wicket takers were HAZLEWOOD and CUMMINS … but contrastingly the result went in INDIA’s favor and that’s because we were ahead in showcasing a combined team effort where everyone contributed his best.

“Not only did we breached the GABBA Fort registering our first win there, but also we continued our Streak of breaking Australian Streaks time by time”.

NOTE :

RAVI SHASTRI … the Indian Head Coach who has always been misunderstood. Just because he has has good equations with VIRAT, he has been labelled a ‘Yes Man’. But whether you accept or not, you have to give the credit to him here as it is due. His decision to keep back the net bowlers foresighting the chances of injury and his constantly keeping the group motivated despite that 36 Fiasco have been commendable. Also, not just him, but the whole coaching staff deserves the credit for handling the bunch so well. People may call me biased but VIRAT too deserves the credit. Even the night before returning back, he was busy making strategies with the team management and was throughout in touch with the team.

The captaincy debate will also open up now in Tests as well (as if limited overs one was less clumsy) , but I would still say and very confidently so , that VIRAT only should be leading us. RAHANE has done a Marvelous job , even Historic … no doubt … BUT. Firstly, there is no chance to be so sure that we wouldn’t have won the series if VIRAT would have been here, we would have still bounced back. Secondly, the atmosphere and character of the team is not built in a day, it has been there for quite a while and that was also very well carried forward by RAHANE. Thirdly, most importantly, we can’t keep on changing the captains after one series or one IPL , a consistency in the leadership is required and as long as we are performing well there is no point in changing captains now and then. So … just be with VIRAT

Conclusion : The Road for World Domination is laid

This victory has once again proved that CRICKET is only played on the ground and there is no room for predictions and complacency. Also, all those who say Test Cricket is dying, it’s Boring and Blah Blah … well Cricket is just not for them. Now, when we have defeated a team like AUSTRALIA at their home when no one else was able to do so and they were with their best possible squad, it means that we have all the potential for dominating test cricket across the world. If we fail to do so … I would be very disappointed. Last time we missed out in ENG and SA, but this time not only will our team be more confident but also more experienced, especially batting (keeping in mind last time almost everyone was playing his first overseas tour). Plus, we have got a gem of a batsman in SHUBMAN GILL and in my opinion he should be continuously playing for INDIA in all formats. So I am really positive and looking forward for these series later this year.

One more aspect, the WORLD TEST CHAMPIONSHIP. Before the series we seemed in trouble as we needed at least 5 victories to go past New Zealand and secure a spot in the Finals. But, after the series we are well placed at the top and unless some ‘mishappening’ takes place against ENG at home, we will be playing the Finals at LORDS. Like we forget a loss and move ahead … we need to move away from this win also and focus on the next series. Instead now, AUS need to win against SA effectively to come at the finals or else it will be NZ. So … whether its AUS or NZ … we know that our team can stand up against the world and still come out victorious. Not just because we have won. For me, the spirit and attitude on ground matters much more than the outcome of the game and our players have just performed above expectations in that regard. At last, before ending I would again like to thank RAHANE and Company for making us proud and giving me one of my dearest memory to cherish for life.

“Once upon a time, a bunch of rookies, with no expectations on them, were given a free reign, they weaved magic, achieved the unthinkable, and etched their names into the cricketing folklore” … !!!!!

JAI HIND

ARUNESH SINHA