Overtaken by an inexperienced and injury-plagued India, a shocked Australia head coach Justin Langer said Tuesday that a great lesson he has learned backwards is to “never ever underestimate” the “really tough” players from that country. Langer, visibly shaken, praised India for the lion-hearted effort to win the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2-1 despite playing for a second-row team, especially after being decimated in three days at the opening of the series in Adelaide. That loss included India’s lowest test score of 36 in the second inning. “It was an incredible series of tests and in the end there is always a winner or a loser. Today test cricket is the winner. It is going to hurt us a lot. India deserved all the credit. They have been outstanding, but we have learned lessons learned.” Langer said Channel 7.
“First, you can never take anything for granted, second, never ever, never underestimate Indians. There are 1.5 billion Indians and if you play in those first eleven you have to be very tough, right?”
Langer said the comeback after the Adelaide debacle was remarkable, especially after the injury forced expulsion of great players such as Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja.
India found new stars like Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar, Shardul Thakur and Mohammed Siraj, among others, who surprised Australians with their never-dying spirit.
“I can’t congratulate India enough. They haven’t left after that first Test Match we won in three days, we threw them for 30 points. For them fighting like they did is incredible, credit to them. The big lesson for us is that nothing can be taken for granted. India never escaped, “he said.
The Indian team showed never-before-seen zeal to retain the coveted trophy with a historic three-course victory over Australia in the fourth and final round here, successfully pursuing a 328-run goal.
The talented Rishabh Pant (89 without 138 balls) displayed his impressive hitting game to secure victory for the visitors, ending Australia’s 32-year unbeaten streak at ‘Fortress Gabba’.
“It was an amazing effort. (Rishabh) Pant’s innings kind of reminded me of Ben Stokes’s innings at Headingley actually. He came in, he was almost fearless and he will be praised for it. They were incredible innings,” Langer said. in his praise of the Indian batter wicket-keeper.
“I thought the young (Shubman) Gill (91) hit very well. His young bowling attack kept us under pressure throughout the game and, like I said, India deserves all the credit.”
Langer also praised his own team’s bowling attack for their tireless effort on the series, albeit in a lost cause.
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“From our point of view, we had the same four bowlers (Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, Nathan Lyon, and Mitchell Starc) who have pushed themselves, stood up, and worked very hard, but unfortunately we didn’t get over that line today.” Langer said.
“I’m proud of the way those four guys fought so hard.”
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