AUS vs IND: 4th Test – India create history as the Gabba fortress falls
India, against all the odds, have sealed the Border Gavaskar Trophy. They needed 324 runs on the final day on a pitch with cracks on it and not many gave them the chance. A draw was also enough for them to retain the trophy. But this is a special team, certainly. They believed in themselves and the batsmen stood up to the task to seal a historic series win, their second consecutive in the format down under.
As far as the match is concerned, after opting to bat first, Australia rode on a brilliant century from Marnus Labuschagne to score 369 runs in the first innings. In response, India were reeling at 186/6 at one stage and there were already talks of a huge win for the hosts. But then, Sundar and Thakur added 123 runs for the seventh wicket to take India close to Australia.
On the fourth day, Australia started playing attacking cricket in order to set India a huge target and also give their bowlers enough time to bowl the opposition out. But the visitors kept hitting back whenever the hosts felt like taking the game away. Australia were bundled out for 294 runs in the second innings setting a target of 328 runs for India. Siraj took his maiden five-wicket haul for India and also became the highest wicket-taker of the series for them.
And then…what followed was just surreal! India, batting on Day 5, historically chased down the total courtesy of a brilliant batting from Gill, Pant, Pujara while they were supported well by the likes of Sundar with the bat. Pat Cummins bowled his heart out picking four wickets but none of the bowlers supported him. Pant, 89 not out, smashed the winning boundary.
A moment to savour for India! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/vSogSJdqIw
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) January 19, 2021
Turning Points
Sundar-Shardul partnership – India have to thank these two men for this historic win. At 186/6, India could’ve easily gone down to lose by a huge margin. But Shardul and Sundar didn’t deter and made sure their partnership turned out to be the difference in the end. They added 123 runs for the 7th wicket and India managed to cut down Australia’s lead to 33. Certainly, the belief of winning came back here for India and they ended up making history.
This partnership has been?
Maiden Test fifties for @imShard for @Sundarwashi5 ? #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/EGYmAilKa7
— 100MB (@100MasterBlastr) January 17, 2021
Paine missing Pant stumping – Tim Paine had a tough outing on Day in Sydney. And it stayed the same way at The Gabba as well. Australia were desperate for a breakthrough when India were getting close to the target. And Nathan Lyon created a chance beating Pant in flight who stepped out to hit the ball out of the park and only to miss it.
But Paine couldn’t collect the ball and missed a stumping chance to reprieve Pant. This turned out to be the turning point in the end and it cost Australia the match.
Stats/Personal Milestones
Rishabh Pant completed 1000 runs in Test cricket in his 27th innings, the fastest Indian wicket-keeper to get to the milestone.
This is the highest successful chase ever achieved at the Gabba.
What Next?
Australia are now scheduled to tour South Africa and the dates of the same are yet to be finalised. India, on the other hand, will enjoy a break for a few days and then will face England in yet another four-match Test series at home starting from February 5.
