IND vs AUS Test Series 2020-21(End)

"India win the test. They win the series. And they win the hearts and minds of cricket fans around the world." And all around India, the fans erupted louder than the launch of a missile as a collective cheer was heard around the world. This was it. This was the culmination of revenge that began the moment the 9th wicket fell in the first test in Adelaide as we were embarrassed and humiliated all around the cricketing world.

Having witnessed an all-time low in Adelaide, as they were wiped out for a measly 36/9, their lost score in test cricket after playing the format for almost 90 years. The morale of the squad dropped further when skipper Kohli departed, adding to the injury of Ishant Sharma (IPL) and Mohammad Shami, who copped a bouncer in the 2^nd innings at Adelaide. The list of players that were unavailable when India went in to select the playing XI for the fourth test was Ishant Sharma, Mohammad Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav, Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Hanuma Vihari and Virat “King” Kohli. The bowling attack in the fourth test had played a combined 4 tests between them as debuts were handed to Washington Sundar and T Natarajan. Matters worsened when Navdeep Saini pulled his leg muscle between the test, as India then effectively fielded 4 bowlers.

A series that has purely been dominated by bowlers, only 5 times did the teams cross 300, out of 20 innings. The series showed the grit and determination of the Indians who battled every obstacle possible to come out victorious in the series. Playing an almost India A squad in the last test, with as many as 7 first-choice players injured throughout and before the series. The series showed the hunger and the capability of the coming players who adapted to their conditions surprisingly quickly considering the squad.

Two partnerships defined the series for India. The Vihari-Ashwin partnership in Sydney, where both batsmen battled immense pain to draw the game. It showed the resilience and character of the batsmen as they defended and dropped their way to a 200-ball stop as the Aussies were left searching for answers. The second would be the Sundar-Thakur partnership that brilliantly counter-attacked at number six, effectively bringing the game within India’s reach after a 123-run partnership. The two were ruthless, as all bowlers were treated with no mercy, with the duo swinging and swinging hard at each ball possible.

Australia fought hard, but for them, this was a chance to bring back the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, a great chance considering India’s woes. Nothing short of missed opportunities and missed chances that they could not seize and capitalize on. After the highs of Adelaide, having demolished and battered the Indians, they were brought back to Earth as Melbourne fell to the Indians. Sydney had a plethora of opportunities, with their attack currently one of the best in the world and more than capable of knocking over both Vihari and Ashwin. GABBA had added pressure on them as they had to win to get the trophy, if they lost, the 32-year-old record would be broken and Fortress Gabbatoir penetrated. The batting fell short in the second innings with none of them seizing their starts as all fell without going big. All in all, Australia could easily have ended up on the winning side if better discipline from the team, especially the captain had been displayed.

Woes battered both sides and Australians also had their fair share of such issues. Mitch Starc, one of the world’s best, was not able to work his magic in the Australian pitches that he has so often delivered on. David Warner, their best opener was unfit for the first 2 tests, and the next two he played were played by him while he was not 100% fit. The openers never were able to create the platform required, thus, leaving Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne to shoulder the burden of setting a platform for this team. Most of the run-making was also done by these two with none of the others being able to provide consistent contributions. India on the other hand had unlikely heroes with the bat each time they stepped onto the field. From Hanuma Vihari and Ravi Ashwin to Shardul Thakur and Washington Sundar and finally Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant.

As an Indian fan, it's times like these that your voice fails you. From being battered and humiliated at Adelaide to a complete performance in Melbourne and then 42 overs of heavy anguish at Sydney to a strategic rout at GABBA (the South Asian bane), it was an exceedingly difficult yet fulfilling journey.