India completed a turnaround for the ages in Brisbane, bouncing back from a crushing loss in Adelaide to complete a series victory, and retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Battered by a spate of injuries throughout the tour, India was forced to delve deep into their existing resources and yet managed to assemble a team that won two out of the last three Tests, despite missing some of the biggest Test stars from their first XI.
At the helm of the win was Ajinkya Rahane, standing in for Virat Kohli, who led India to their first win in Brisbane in 32 years, becoming only the second team to win two or more series in Australia in this decade.
It was a tough fight, no doubt; the result couldn’t be predicted even till the last hour of play when Rishabh Pant’s launched a late assault, taking India to their third-highest successful run chase in Test cricket.
In the post-match presentation, skipper Rahane’s heartwarming gesture of presenting Nathan Lyon, playing his 100th Test, with a signed kit on behalf of the team.
Incredible moment for India as they lift the trophy 🏆 #AUSvIND
>>> https://t.co/icCD0P0INM pic.twitter.com/kejIkVGub7
— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) January 19, 2021
36 all out. Everyone injured. Kohli on paternity leave. Chasing 300-and-plenty at the Gabba on a cracked fifth-day pitch against one of Australia’s finest attacks… Greatest Test series win ever? Hard to argue otherwise in the immediate aftermath.
— Scott Redler (@RedDog7T3) January 19, 2021
The last time Australia lost at the Gabba, Rohit, Pujara and Rahane were all less than two years old. The rest of India’s team hadn’t even been born.
— daniel norcross (@norcrosscricket) January 19, 2021
Eden Gardens 2001 is still the greatest Test match ever, for India.
But Border-Gavaskar 2020-21 has to be the greatest series ever.#INDvAUS
— Saurabh Somani (@saurabh_42) January 19, 2021
India's 7/329 is nearly ONE HUNDRED more than the previous highest successful run chase at the Gabba #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/4oK7gZNLuL
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) January 19, 2021
Hey @ajinkyarahane88 – you’re thousands of miles away – but hope you and the whole team are feeling the incredible respect, warmth and love from all countrymen back home. Just magnificent, skipper. #IndvAus
— Jatin Sapru (@jatinsapru) January 19, 2021
Unbelievable test series win by @BCCI ! Every test match was exciting to watch! #IndiavsAustralia
— Harry Kane (@HKane) January 19, 2021
Cricketers, both past and present, including Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin, extended their wishes to the winning XI. The win saw the team move to the top of the ICC World Test Championship standings, displacing Australia from the No.1 spot after the Brisbane Test.
WHAT A WIN!!! Yessssss. To everyone who doubted us after Adelaide, stand up and take notice. Exemplary performance but the grit and determination was the standout for us the whole way. Well done to all the boys and the management. Enjoy this historic feat lads. Cheers 👏🏼🇮🇳 @BCCI pic.twitter.com/CgWElgOOO1
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) January 19, 2021
Good evening from Gabba!! I am sorry I couldn’t play here but thanks for hosting us and playing some hard cricket during these tough times. We will remember this series forever! @tdpaine36 @CricketAus
— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) January 19, 2021
You don't just play & love test cricket for nothing.
Brilliant game. Congratulations India on the win, & Australia for a great series! #Testcricket #AUSvIND
— Sir Vivian Richards (@ivivianrichards) January 19, 2021
EVERY SESSION WE DISCOVERED A NEW HERO.
Every time we got hit, we stayed put & stood taller. We pushed boundaries of belief to play fearless but not careless cricket. Injuries & uncertainties were countered with poise & confidence. One of the greatest series wins!
Congrats India. pic.twitter.com/ZtCChUURLV— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 19, 2021
Rishabh Pant, the game of cricket salutes you today
— Shai Hope (@shaidhope) January 19, 2021
YOH!
Well done India!
That was pretty damn amazing 🙌— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) January 19, 2021
This is what a billion goosebumps feel like! Proud Indian! 🇮🇳 #INDvsAUS
— Gautam Gambhir (Modi Ka Parivar) (@GautamGambhir) January 19, 2021
I hope Australia doesn’t use excuses like “we didn’t have Smith or Warner” anymore.
Great series win. What a character Indian team showed on this tour. 💪💪#AUSvsIND #INDvsAUSTest— Sandeep sharma (@sandeep25a) January 19, 2021
Excellent gesture from @ajinkyarahane88 and the indian team to Felicitate Nathan Lyon on his 100th Test Match. One more example of Sportsman Spirt from Rahane. How dignified he is even after achieving such a incredible win. #Leader #AUSvsIND
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 19, 2021
A few years ago, these two Pant and Sundar were going great guns at the Under 19 world cup.
Who would have thought a few years later, these two on Australian soil will take us on course to one of India's greatest test wins . pic.twitter.com/FEfozghPP6— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 19, 2021
Test cricket’s heart is beating strongly! That was an extraordinary win @BCCI & a fantastic series to watch. Aussies not lost at The Gabba since 1988. Wow
— Stuart Broad (@StuartBroad8) January 19, 2021
The Greatest Test series win of all time … Well done #India you have just shown the way for England to get back those Ashes back later in the year … 👍 https://t.co/eWKaKFfJ41
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) January 19, 2021
