OTD 2021: India End 32-Year Aussie Streak with Iconic Test Win at Gabba

They say that the brightest of days often come after the darkest of nights, the same was the case for a spirited young team India who stunned Australia in their backyard by winning their second consecutive Test series down under on January 19, 2021. It was a fairy-tale ending to a series which began with India getting bundled out for the joint fourth-lowest total in the history of Test cricket (36) and to make matters worse for the visitors their best batter and captain Virat Kohli had to fly back home for the birth of his first child following the humiliating loss in the first Test.

However, in the absence of their regular skipper, a new hero emerged in the form of vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane who valiantly martialed his troops against the ferocious Aussies who had prepared for a 4-0 whitewash backed by their experts. A majestic hundred from Rahane in the second Test in Melbourne helped India level the series 1-1 while a defiant Ravichandran Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari frustrated arguably the best bowling attack of the world in their backyard to register a heroic draw in Sydney.

The action shifted to the famous Gabba in Brisbane for the fourth Test where Australia hadn’t lost for 32 years. On the other hand, India’s team combination went from bad to worse with all senior bowlers injured making way for Mohammed Siraj to lead the pace attack with experience of just two Tests. The seamer didn’t let the enormity of the responsibility affect him as he picked up his first fifer of his career and India were left with an uphill task of chasing down 328 on the last day to breach the Gabba fortress and claim an improbable win.

Also Read: 'What have I done' - Rishabh Pant recalls Shubman Gill's emotions after getting out for 91 in Gabba Test

Gill and Pant's masterclass with the bat

Back in 2014, captain Virat Kohli decided to chase down 364 on the last day in Adelaide to send a strong message to the opposition that they’re here to win. On this occasion, it was the young blood of Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant who had no intentions of a draw and took on the Aussie bowlers putting some sumptuous shots on display all around the ground.

Not all heroes wear capes as some do their work silently without getting into the limelight. On Day 5 of the Gabba Test, it was Cheteshwar Pujara who became the watchful protector of the Indian batting lineup by taking several body blows from the Australian fast bowlers but didn’t give his wicket away despite being in excruciating pain.

Pujara’s long vigil of 56 (211) sucked the juice out of the Australian bowling attack and they were left waiting for him to make a mistake. Meanwhile, Gill had done a phenomenal job by taking on Mitchell Starc early in the day making Australian captain Tim Paine hesitant to bring him back. The opener, however, missed out on a well-deserved maiden Test ton getting dismissed for 91 (146).

Fortress was breached after 32 years

After the departure of Gill and Pujara, it was time for Pant to unleash his madness on Nathan Lyon as he stepped down the track to clobber him for boundaries unfazed by the vicious turn on Day 5 pitch. Some help from Washinton Sundar (22 off 29), who hooked Cummins for a scintillating six in the last ten overs to shift the momentum in India’s favour, brought India closer to a miracle.

Also Read: 'Ravi bhai wanted a draw' - Ravi Ashwin reveals how Rishabh Pant's knock changed mindset of the dressing room during Gabba Test

Despite wickets falling at the other end, Pant kept on attacking and brought India to the verge of a win. The southpaw finally drove a low full toss from Josh Hazlewood down the ground to send over a billion people into a frenzy and conquered the Gabba fortress. Team India had done the impossible by beating a full-strength Aussie with a B team.

It was the ‘never say die’ attitude of the side who had everything against them, that helped them flourish against the odds. The 2020-21 series win by India is rated as the greatest comeback in the history of Test cricket with the series also being counted as one of the greatest ever.

The victory in Gabba will continue to be an inspiration for any Indian team having their back against the wall in foreign conditions in the years to come.