Why India's journey in the World Test Championship deserves to be celebrated despite a loss in the final

The 5th delivery of the 46th over of the New Zealand second innings in the World Test Championship (WTC) Final will forever be etched in the hearts of Ross Taylor, as well as millions of New Zealand cricket fans across the world. When Mohammed Shami bowled a loosener on Taylor’s pads, the Kiwi batting legend nonchalantly flicked the ball past deep mid-wicket, and with that shot, the Black Caps achieved the highest accolade in Test cricket.

Kane Williamson and his men were crowned as the champions of the inaugural World Test Championship. There was jubilation in the Kiwi camp. The players hugged each other, and there were beaming smiles all around.

On the other hand, Virat Kohli and his men would have been dejected, as they were once again denied an ICC trophy by New Zealand (are the memories of the 2019 World Cup semi-final flashing in your minds?)

But then, the Indian players need not be disappointed. They fought like warriors throughout the World Test Championship (WTC), they beat the most ridiculous of odds and did not flinch when faced with adversity.

A journey to be proud of for the Indian cricket team

And surely, this journey in the World Test Championship (WTC) is one that India can be extremely proud of. This was a collective effort from the Indian side, an effort where they never lost heart. Each and every person contributed to the team’s cause. In fact, the same sentiment was echoed by India’s vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane after India’s Test series victory over England in March. Let us revisit that statement from Rahane.

“I felt the way we came back as a team, each and every individual stepped up. Credit to everyone. Everyone hung in there. It’s all about the team. We always think about team goals, how can we contribute for the team and that’s what we did. And I’m really happy as an individual, as a vice-captain that we’ve got this reward,” Rahane had said after India defeated England in the 4th Test at Ahmedabad to qualify for the final of the WTC.

Yes, this was a complete team effort. Every series, somebody stood up for India. When India toured the West Indies in what was their first-ever series in the World Test Championship, it was Ajinkya Rahane and Hanuma Vihari who shone through. While Vihari scored 289 runs in 4 innings at an average of 96.33, Rahane scored 271 runs including a hundred and two fifties to steer India to a series win against the West Indies.

Fast forward to the next series against South Africa. Rohit Sharma announced his arrival as a Test opener in style in that series against the Proteas. The ‘Hitman’ scored a whopping 529 runs in the 4 innings he played in the series and helped India whitewash their opponents 3-0.

In the next Test series against Bangladesh, skipper Virat Kohli scored a sensational 136 at the Eden Gardens in the Day-Night Test, and India lorded over Bangladesh at home. Even though India experienced disappointment in New Zealand and lost both the Test matches, the Test series against Australia in the land of the kangaroos catapulted the Indian side to newer heights in Test cricket.

The ‘36’ debacle and what followed after that

In the first Test match at Adelaide against the Aussies, Indian cricket experienced an all-time low. The Indian team was humiliated on Australian soil, as they were bowled out for a total of just 36, and Australia thrashed the Virat Kohli-led side with 8 wickets to spare. To compound matters further, Indian pacer Mohammed Shami was injured after the first Test, and Indian skipper and batting talisman Virat Kohli left for India to attend to the birth of his child.

But then, the Indian side stood up. Led by a magical century by Ajinkya Rahane, India came back in sensational fashion to beat Australia at Melbourne in the 2nd Test to square the series. India also faced several other stumbling blocks as well. Umesh Yadav limped away after the 2nd Test, Ravindra Jadeja fractured his thumb in the 3rd Test, KL Rahul was ruled out of the series, and Jasprit Bumrah was not able to offer his services in the 4th Test.

But still, India hung on, and they found new heroes with every passing Test match. Shubman Gill faced up to the Aussies bravely, took on fire with fire, and played aggressive cricket. It was his debut Test series in the most demanding format of the game, but Gill did not flinch. He scored a total of 259 runs in the Test series at an average in excess of 50.

Rishabh Pant shone with the bat as well. While he scored 97 in the second innings of the drawn Test at Sydney, he followed that up by scoring a sensational 89* to help India breach the Australian fortress, also called The Gabba in the 4th Test. Cheteshwar Pujara took blows in almost every part of his body but still hung on, while Mohammed Siraj was willing to offer his services for his side even after the death of his father.

And this excellent team effort resulted in a historic series triumph, as India beat Australia 2-1 in the land of the kangaroos.

Then, came that Test series against England at home. India lost the opening Test match at Chennai, and that meant that they had to win all of their remaining three matches to qualify for the WTC Final. And, that is exactly what they did. Rohit Sharma scored a sensational 161 in the 2nd Test to power India to a 317-run victory, and Ravichandran Ashwin showed his prowess with the willow too and scored a century in the 2nd innings of the 2nd Test.

The 3rd Test at Ahmedabad belonged entirely to Axar Patel. The left-arm spinner spun a web around the England batsmen and scalped an 11-wicket haul in the match to help India win the encounter with 10 wickets to spare. And in the 4th Test, Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar lent a helping hand with the Indian side in doldrums.

India was reeling at 146/6, in their first innings, and that was when Pant and Sundar put their hands up to help the Indian side. While Pant scored a blazing 101, Sundar helped himself to a patient 96*. Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel then weaved their magic with the ball as India thrashed England by an innings and 25 runs in the final rubber.

Why India should be proud of its WTC journey

This journey of the Indian cricket team in the World Test Championship (WTC) is worth a grand fable. And surely, this journey of the Virat Kohli-led side deserves to be celebrated. India found new heroes in every game, they found a way to overcome the challenges thrown at them, and over the course of almost two years, they have carved out a journey that every Indian cricket fan can look back with a great sense of pride.

Yes, India might not have reached its desired final destination and laid its hands on the coveted WTC trophy. But, the journey of this incredible team deserves to be celebrated, isn’t it?

In spite of not winning the World Test Championship final, Virat Kohli and his boys can surely look back at their journey in the tournament with a great sense of pride. And, so can the millions of Indian fans who consider this wonderful sport as a religion.