INDIA’S GREATEST COMEBACK || BORDER- GAVASKAR TROPHY || Cricket Updates
But this tour and the whole series was completely magical, similar to a fairytale where all the odds were defied, where the limited resources became the specialists and an unexpected result came out. This was the India’s greatest ever comeback……
To start with the Indian Captain Virat Kohli before the tour already announced that he would return to India after the first test at Adelaide because of the personal reasons to which everyone was prepared but not for the event that was going to happen with them. So it was the day night test, India was leading after the first innings and was at the comfortable position in the game. Then came the day of horror , the second innings on 19th December ,2020. Whole Indian team which included the superstars of the game, the modern-day greats were all out on a score of 36. Yes only 36, the lowest ever total in Indian test cricket. All the players played like they were having no clue about the pitch and just were completely lost. And to rub salt in the wound Mohammed Shami, India’s fast-paced front-line bowler fractured his wrist while batting. Kohli’s cavaliers suddenly were being portrayed as band of jokers. Whole twitter, news channels, media were asking the questions like what they have done. What to expect then there was a long break between the second test so all the former cricketers were being bought on the news channels to criticize them. Michael Vaughan (former England captain) straightaway wrote on the twitter and warned India to get ready for a 4-0 whitewash (where the opponent doesn’t win a single match) from Australia and Indian team were given no chance to even sustain in the series. All was expected that they will play the rest three which were now inconsequential as a part of game and formality and will return facing backlash and it will be termed as the most tragic series of Indian cricket after all the team was completely down and out and your captain left too as he already announced his decision, so it was completely logical to comprehend in favor of the Aussies.
But this is the point where coin of fortune flipped again…
2nd Boxing day test, Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG). Indian team with the new captain Ajinkya Rahane and Mohammed Siraj came in as a replacement of Shami. Before moving forward thing here to mention is Siraj who came in as a replacement almost cried during the national anthem the reason being his father passed away the previous morning and it was his father’s dream to watch his son to play test cricket for India and just to fulfill that dream, he chose not to go to home to perform the rituals, stayed with the team and agreed to play. This consent only speaks a lot about his grit, values, determination and patriotism. And that paid of as well. To everyone’s surprise Rahane who was suffering from a rough patch in his form that time stood up for the team and he smashed a scintillating century in the second innings. Celebration after every wicket in that match was so emotional that you could easily connect with it if you would have followed. Thrashing the Aussies in every session and with the astute captaincy of Rahane, India won the Boxing Day test match, and some revenge was taken and a statement was being made by the team to no take them lightly. Credit of that win I personally feel should be given to the coach Ravi Shastri as well who miraculously pumped up the boys and their hunger to win after the shameful defeat. But more heroics were yet to come….
3rd test, Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG). Steve Smith who was quiet until now suddenly came back in the form and he smashed a century in the first innings, half century in the second. India was trailing after the first innings. After second innings the target for team India was almost unchasable and the only option was left was to stand out there and push the Aussies for a draw. But the problem occurred was that the Hanuma Vihari while batting injured his hamstring and after the scans it was reported that he had tier-II level of injury (in which hamstring was completely tore and usually players did not play after that). But again, as this was the series of bravery and heroism he came out to bat and the duo of Vihari and Ashwin had batted 42.2 overs, a marathon three- hour effort. The duo’s sterling effort ensured that India avoided defeat and go into the fourth test all square. Their effort and bravery were hailed by the entire nation that day. Later Ashwin’s wife wrote on twitter that he was not even able to bend because of the back spasm and she tied his shoelaces that morning. After such pain to withstand, to take the balls on your body and to bat almost half of the day is commendable and can’t be explained in words…..
4th test, The Gabba. This was the ground where Australia was unbeaten for last 32 years. Two heroes of the last match were ruled out of the series due to injuries. Jasprit Bumrah, leader of the Indian pace attack was also ruled out. To sum up in terms of choices and preferences C team of India had to play the decider match of the series. There was such shortage of players that T Natarajan was a net bowler and was included in the team as the team had no other choice. Their best batsman Steve Smith again rose to the occasion and hit a century. After their second innings a massive target of 328 runs was being set for team India. Now usually for such big targets’ teams go for win and chase only if they either believe in their batting line up a lot, it has experienced players or if it is a home match series where you are aware of the conditions. For that young team it was more like gambling because if they lose then all the bravery and heroics of previous matches would have gone in vain because at the end all remembers is that who won the series, the BORDER- GAVASKAR TROPHY. And to no surprise that team went for the win. Starting with the Shuman Gill who lit up the firecrackers and started the party to Pujara who showed extreme resilience and patience. He almost broke his finger. As far as I recall he was brutally hit on to body at least 4-5 times, but he kept his wickets safe and expensive as always. And lastly spiderman of Indian team Rishabh Pant joined the party, smashed flawless sixes over the bowlers head, made a fine partnership and finally after 2 months of the war he hit the winning runs and INDIA WON. Gabba fortress was finally breached.
The BORDER- GAVASKAR TROPHY came to GAVASKAR’S COUNTRY. Whole nation celebrated that victory and earlier the players who were termed as band of jokers were that day the reason of inspiration of millions. Tears of joy while lifting the trophy showed the fruit of the hard work and the pain they have suffered in that 2 months.
JUSTIN LANGER(AUSTRALIAN COACH) AFTER THE DEFEAT – “ never ever , I repeat never ever under estimate Indians”…….
Great 👍
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