“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.” This is what the Indian Prime Minister has said on India’s 2-1 Cricket Test series win over Australia in Australia.
Indeed, our Indian cricket team recorded this big win on Australian soil, putting in all the efforts to pull this win in their favour. Thanks to excellent performances by Shubham Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara and Rishabh Pant who made it possible on the final day. At the same time, we should not forget the contribution from our bowlers, especially Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, Natarajan and others for sharing those twenty wickets of Australia in two innings.
This was also a big setback for Australia at Gabba in Brisben, where Australia had never lost a match in last 32 years. With this big win India has not only won this match but also the Test Series and the Border Gavaskar Trophy. The Indian Captain Ajinkya Rahane has proved to be lucky for the Indian team, in absence of Virat Kohli. It is really creditable that this team without Virat Kohli, Jaspreet Bumrah, R. Ashwin & Ravindra Jadeja put up a grand show at GABA. They certainly need a big reception on their arrival from this tour.
After this grand victory, India captain Ajinkya Rahane said, “It really means a lot to us. I don’t know how to describe this victory. I’m just proud of all the boys, each and every individual. We just wanted to give our best, not to think about the result. When I went in, conversation between me and Pujara was Puji to bat normal and me to go for my shots, because we knew Rishabh and Mayank were there. Credit to Pujara, the way he handled the pressure was magnificent, and Rishabh was brilliant in the end. Taking 20 wickets was the key, that’s what we identified, that’s why we picked five bowlers. Washington Sundar got that balance for us, intention was to play five bowlers. Siraj had played two Test matches, Saini one, Thakur one, Natarajan also on debut, all credit to them. After Adelaide we didn’t discuss about what happened, we just wanted to play our game, show good attitude, show good character on the field. It was all about the team effort. I would also like to thank our fans who came out here and supported us, and the Indian team would like to give Nathan Lyon a signed jersey for his 100th Test match.”
And this was certainly a fine gesture, to win the hearts of Australians at the end of this memorable tour.
( Photo Courtesy : BCCI)