Whitewash after Adelaide or 3-1 after Melbourne or 2-1 after Sydney, the predictions finally found it's conclusions only after India, without the first chocie XI, had destroyed, demolished and butchered a full strength Australian team and conquered their fortress GABBA. The cricket played by the Indians was so fitting that the pitch that had not seen Australia lose in 32 long years chose to stay true to the quality of cricket. Even after winning in Melbourne after the debacle in Adelaide and playing out 131 overs for a draw, many including myself doubted India's chances on the final day of the series. As much as we wanted India to win, statistically it was next to impossible. They were chasing the highest ever total at the Gabba against the best bowling attack in the world with an inexperienced batting line up at a ground where Australia hadn't lost for 3 decades. Everything was stacked against them, quite literally everything! What happens after Rohit Sharma gets out? Shubman gill gets runs. Pujara digs in. Rahane gets a few and then walks out Rishabh Pant, the nail that has been in Australia's coffin ever since he made his debut. Criticized for his performance behind the stumps, he proved that he is not as bad in front of the stumps. Pant danced down the track to Nathan Lyon, pulled Starc and Cummins and he also drove Hazlewood through covers, literally dismantling the most famed bowling attack in world cricket. What about Washington Sundar? I 21 year boy from Tamil Nadu who could never have thought in his wildest dreams that he would be making his debut in this series. His 4 wickets and over 80 runs in the match mean as much as Rishabh Pant's 89. Every one of them contributed to their fullest and produced probably the greatest Indian test victory ever. After the ever animated, the best batsman in the world and the charistamatic figure of Virag Kohli left the Australian shores, the contrasting personality of Ajinkya Rahane took over this team and has silently led them their greatest test series win in history.
Greg Chappell always said that if India get their act together, they will have 3 test teams and nobody will ever beat them again. This series was so testimonial to this statement that no superlative can describe this win. A lot of credit has to go the BCCI for a very planned scheduling of India A tours which has a played massive part in youngsters playing like rabbits in the headlights. This indian team has got the right to have a page all about themselves if ever there is a book written on Indian Cricket.
Adelaide was a debacle.
Melbourne was a never-seen-before comeback.
Sydney was grit.
Brisbane was unprecedented, unachievable and unthinkable.
Well played team India.
