India recorded probably their greatest Test win exactly a year ago in Brisbane with a certain Rishabh Pant playing the knock of his life. Chasing an improbable target of 328 runs at the impenetrable Gabba, where Australia had never lost a Test for 32 years, India registered a three-wicket victory to complete an unprecedented back-to-back series win Down Under.
IND Vs AUS: How India Cricket Team Breached Fortress Gabba A Year Ago - Relive The Historic Moment
Rishabh Pant was the hero as an injury-ravaged India ended Australia's 32-year undefeated run at the Gabba, executing a record-breaking final day chase to win the Test by three wickets and the series 2-1.
Indian cricketers celebrate after defeating Australia in Brisbane on January 19, 2021.
Indian cricketers celebrate after defeating Australia in Brisbane on January 19, 2021.
The four-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy series started on an ominous note for India. They lost the opener in Adelaide by eight wickets after managing just 36/9 in the second innings. But the visitors fought back to win the second match in Melbourne by eight wickets and settled for a draw in Sydney.
But an injury-ravaged India entered the series decider with a make-shift team led by Ajinkya Rahane as Virat Kohli returned home for the birth of his first child. Depleted by injuries, the Indian attack featured Mohammed Siraj, T Natarajan, Shardul Thakur, Navdeep Saini and Washington Sundar. India, as warned by Aussie captain Tim Paine, looked certain to suffer a humiliating defeat in the absence of match-winners like?Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, etc.
Batting first, Australia scored 369 in the first innings then dismissed India for 336 to take a 33-run lead. Siraj took a five-wicket haul in the Aussie second innings to restrict the hosts to 294. But India still needed to chase a target of 328 runs against a bowling attack that had the likes of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon.?
Shubman Gill laid the foundation with 91. It was followed by a gritty 211-ball knock from Cheteshwar Pujara, who took body blows to compile 56 runs. Pant then finished the job with an unbeaten 89 off 138 with the winning runs, a four off Hazlewood, coming in the 97th over.
India thus breached the 'Fortress Gabba'. Relive the final day action here:
And Indian fans continue to celebrate that win. Here are some reactions:
In the process, a young Indian side many feats, including the third-most runs scored on the final to win a Test (325) and third-highest successful run chases against Australia in Australia.
Tags
- Previous StoryWomen's T20 WC 2024: Fatima Sana Seals Pakistan's 31-Run Victory Over Sri Lanka In Campaign Opener
- Next StoryOFC 2-2 KBFC, ISL 2024-25: Odisha FC, Kerala Blasters Draw After A Four-Goal First Half
