Hello Friends,
I am sure all of us are over the moon and beyond post the Indian cricket team's series victory in Australia. I want to take a few minutes to pen down what I think are the critical moments in the just concluded series.
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| Expert opinion |
1.
Virat's Paternity Leave - Virat not only planned on taking the break but "broadcast" this very early. This led to the team coming a lot closer and have plans in place. From the outside, it led to the lowering of expectations from the fans and the media. In the hindsight, it's perhaps best that Virat was not around as his constant in your face attitude might not have been well received by the debutants!
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| A mishap inspired Rahane |
2.
THAT Runout - Yes, friends, I am referring to the runout of Virat in Adelaide in the first innings. The runout was very significant as India squandered the advantage on Day1 and folded up. It caused a lot of anguish to Rahane and taught him what not to do! ( if you don't believe, try watching Rahane's reaction of him being run out in the next test trying to help Jadeja score his fifty )
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| Losing the toss - a blessing in disguise |
3.Losing the toss in Melbourne - Imagine India batting first on a "greenish" surface in Melbourne fresh from a dismal 36. I am glad that India lost the toss and Australia batted first giving time for the team to focus on the job on hand. The team was able to assess the pitch better and adjust to the match situation. This also gave time for Rahane to do what he does best i.e. to stay in the background for a longer time.
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| Ashwin is ecstatic and why shouldn't he be! |
4. Ashwin "neutralizing" Smith - Ashwin has always been known as a thinking bowler and sometimes a maverick. For this tour, he planned ahead and convinced the team management to employ the leg side trap to Smith and the Australian team. It helped him attack the stumps while cutting the runs and put Smith in a lot of trouble early on.
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| How well these 2 played! |
5. Partnership between Rahane and Jadeja - The match was in the balance when Jadeja joined Rahane, India was still behind in the first innings. The two players played well and scored a century(the only one of the match) and a half-century when no other player from either side scored them. The partnership between the senior players pushed India to 300 and gave India a huge lead.
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| Gill took to test cricket like a duck to water |
6.
Classy Gill in the run chase - Gill would go on to make 2 half centuries later in the series, but in a tricky run chase, Gill, the debutant inspired confidence. His front foot and back foot stroke play hastened the chase and put him in future star category. He knocked off the runs in the company of Rahane in double quick time whacking the Aussie bowlers.
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| Tells you a story, isn't it ? |
7. Paine drops Pant (twice) - A very achievable win for Australia on a 5th day Sydney test. Pant walks in and throws his bat at Lyon (twice) and both the times Paine drops him. Pant then goes on to score 97 and makes India believe. If only Pant was caught by Paine when he scored almost nothing, we could not have witnessed the drama and the series win later on.
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| Too numb to even celebrate! |
8. Injuries to Vihari and Ashwin - While it is not a joy for any sportsman to get injured, in this case, it worked well for the team. Vihari and Ashwin had both been injured and looked in total pain throughout their gritty knocks. While the injuries restricted their mobility, they also provided them with the single minded objective of blocking everything. Vihari and Ashwin's blockade will be a story that will not be forgotten by this generation of cricket fans.
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| The Trio played with NO fear |
9. Siraj, Shradul and Sundar - One is a story of inspiration, the other a 7th choice fast bowler in the Indian setup and the last a net bowler . However, all of them turned the crisis the Indian team faced into a huge opportunity to showcase their talent. They showed us that they are second to none in talent and reduced Aussies to a very sub-par first innings total. If this was not enough, Shradul and Sundar broke the back of Aussies by putting on the only 100+ partnership and Siraj taking a maiden 5 wicket haul.
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| Pujara - the ultimate team man! |
10. Pujara - Body over the line - Cheteshwar Pujara conquered the Aussies in the previous tour. However, in this tour, he had occupied the crease with not enough returns. But in the last test, he fought like a gladiator and took blow after blow and held up one end. By doing so, he gave enough license for the others in the team to go after the win. He will always be remembered for being the one who refused to give up despite the pain with which he played.
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| One for the ages....Indian cricket's tryst with destiny |
Finally, I am thrilled to relive all these moments as I wrote these down and I am sure you are too. Let's enjoy them as these come very rare and hats off to the entire team and the support staff!!!
Great write-up. Hopefully we start winning away tests series after this win
ReplyDeleteExcellent recap, I could relive all of those moments you mentioned. Winning in Australia means a lot for our generation and this has been a great series and brought test cricket alive.
ReplyDeleteSurely, BCCI should think extending Kohli's paternity leave :)
Excellent piece. Agree with each and every point you have listed. This will make an even good read a few years down the line as we recollect the memories of one of the greatest series wins.
ReplyDeleteI would have loved to hear a little more about Pant’s innings at Gabba... maybe that will form the crux of your sequel to this.
A suggestion: Please add link of the scorecard from Cricinfo of each Test. It would surely be a ready reckoned as we revisit this sometime in later years!
Kudos and keep penning such wonderful stuff.
Typo: reckoner*
DeletePerfect summary of the series.
ReplyDeleteExcellent write-up, Pavan! Few things that would have made the series more memorable, in my opinion -
ReplyDelete1. India winning the Sydney test - Was very probable outcome considering how Rishabh Pant was batting. His wicket fell at a wrong time and the injuries to the following batsman negated it.
2. Missed Rishabh Pant' Century in Brisbane. Even though he did more than needed to get India over the line it would have been icing on the cake had he got to his century too! He was rightly named the MoM though.
3. Missed Shubhman Gill's century. He got a great start (60 odd, and 91 in Brisbane) in 2 games and missed out on century both the times. It would have boosted his confidence to a different level had he got a century in one of the 2 games. I would've preferred to see his century in the first (60+ score) game. Had he got the century there then he wouldn't have fell for 91 in the Brisbane test. Either way India found a settled and perfect opener for foreseeable future (Gill is only 21).