New Delhi – India, known for its passionate cricket crazy population, recently won their first Test Cricket series in Australia. Weather gods denied India a possible 3-1 victory but Indian team made history when no play was possible and India, who first toured Australia in 1947-48, celebrated a famous victory.
When the fifth day of the fourth Test in Sydney was washed out by rain and the match was drawn, thus confirming a 2-1 series win on Australian soil, Indian captain Virat Kohli called it the “proudest” moment of his career. “I’ve never been more proud of being part of a team,” said Kohli, adding, “By far, this is my biggest achievement. The series win will give us a different identity.”
Suresh Menon, Editor of Wisden India Almanack, writing in a BBC summation of the game called Kohli, “a good attacking captain,” but cautioned on his handling of pressure. “While he is sound when India are on top, he is less certain when either defending or playing catch-up. His expression gives the game away – you only have to catch a glimpse of it during a game to tell whether he is in control or losing it,” noted Menon in his piece.
Another player Pujara excelled as a batsman, getting 521 runs including three centuries in 7 innings at an average of 74.42, thus becoming the highest run-getter in the four-match series. Pujara deservedly bagged both Man of the Match and Man of the Series trophies.
Although under Kohli, India showed themselves to be a team of good fast bowlers and aggressive but patient batsmen, Australia had a list of genuine woes. The home ground team missed the services of star batsmen Steve Smith and David Warner, as both were serving a 12 month ban for the ball-tampering controversy in South Africa last March.
Expressing disappointment over the loss, Australian captain Tim Paine congratulated the visiting team saying, “We have to tip our hat to India, we know how tough it is to win in Australia so congrats to Virat and (coach) Ravi (Shastri) because it’s a huge achievement.”
Tejinder Singh, Editor, India America Today & White House Correspondent