India have scripted one of the greatest comeback series win Down Under, posting a 2-1 series win after it was bowled out for just 36 in the first Test at Adelaide. Under Ajinkya Rahane, India not only first leveled the series at Sydney but went on to win it in Brisbane where Australia have never been beaten in Tests before in 32 years.
There have been many positives of India's series win Down Under. Cricwizz takes a look.
The emergence of youngsters
After R Ashwin has had to miss the decider at Brisbane, Washington Sundar, just 21, rose to the occasion to put up a brilliant all-round display at the Gabba to make the difference in the end results. Besides, another youngster, and a debutant in the tour, Shubman Gill, played brilliant knocks as the opener, especially his 91 during the run chase at Gabba, which reinforced the belief that Indian youngsters are ready for the big job on the international stage.
India can win without star players
The thought that Virat Kohli would miss the three Tests after the Adelaide loss due to paternity leave would have given sleepless nights to any team. But not Team India. They regrouped after the embarrassing loss at Adelaide, and came out all guns blazing, stating India is not dependent on just their star batsman Kohli. This thought was further reinforced when India's main pacers – Mohammed Shami, Umesh Yadav, and Jasprit Bumrah – missed Tests due to injury, and the backup bowlers rose to the occasion to give India a memorable series win.
The bench strength
If Bumrah, Shami, and Yadav, and Ishant Sharma have had been available, and fit, the likes of Mohammed Siraj, Shardul Thakur, and T Natarajan would not have played the series Down Under. But as fate would have it, not only these back-up bowlers or net bowlers in the case of Natarajan and Thakur to be precise, rose to the challenge, but also played a great part in the series win. They might not get another Test soon if the big four main pacers are available but it has clearly shown India's reserve bench is of top-most quality.
Character
India were hammered in the Adelaide Test, they were racially abused, they were sledged, they were taunted, but India rose from above all this to pose their biggest series win overseas. India displayed great character and fighting spirit to force a memorable series win after the Adelaide debacle.
Winning series abroad consistently
This is India's second consecutive Test series win Down Under. The last time, Australia missed the services of David Warner, and Steve Smith, but not this time around. They have had their full squad, but still, the highly depreciated Indian team defeated them. It adds to a few memorable Test wins across almost all cricketing countries, and culminated in beating Australia 2-1 in a highly contested series Down Under.
Cover photo courtesy: Indian Cricket Team Facebook page
