India scripted history on Tuesday after they become the first team to register a 2nd straight series win on Australian soil while also ending the 32 years unbeaten record of Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane. India defeated the hosts by three wickets in the fourth and final Test and clinched the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2-1.
Soon after the win, the Indian players, both joyous and relived, took out at a victory march at the Gabba, celebrating one of the most famous test wins.
A very bruised India came to the Gabba with an inexperienced bowling attack and showed great resilience till the last hour of the match. Chasing down the target of 328 at the start of the fifth day, India lost the big wicket of Rohit Sharma early in the morning. However, Cheteshwar Pujara and Shubman Gill batted for almost two sessions to rebuild India’s innings. While Gill smashed the Australian bowlers all around the park and kept run-rate going, Pujara lay siege on the other end despite taking many blows on his body.
Gill and Pujara made a solid 114 runs partnership for the second wicket before the 21-year-old edged one to Steven Smith off Cummins. Pujara joined in by the stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane, kept the Australian bowlers at bay and until he lost his wicket to Pat Cummins. At the start of the third and last session, India needed 145 runs to win and it was Rishab Pant who launched into a counter-attack and helped India register their historic win against Australia. Rishab Pant made an unbeaten 89 runs.
West Indies were the last one to beat Australia at what is considered a fortress for the Australian team. India also made the highest successful chase at Gabba. The last successful chase came in 1951 when Australia finished 236/7.
India’s historic Test series down Under to retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy 2020/21, under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane, will be remembered for a very long time.
