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A carefree Rishabh pant has stormed Australia’s Gabba fortress in record fashion, helping India clinch a three-wicket victory to crown one of the best test series of the modern era.
A stoic Cheteshwar Pujara refused to release India’s four-year possession of the Border-Gavaskar trophy on a dramatic final day of the four-round series, weathering 211 balls and 10 body shots while undermining Australia’s hopes of victory.
Pujara’s vigil laid the groundwork for Pant to complete a record chase at the 328 spot. The dashing goalie-hitter made remarkably light work of the pressure-laden situation, increasing the winning runs with an RBI limit off Josh Hazlewood.
Pant finished 89 not out, securing victory at 5.37pm (local time) with three overs remaining. “This is one of the most important things in life right now,” said Pant, the man of the match.
The only defeat in a generation could have long-term ramifications; If nothing else, it has clouded Australia’s path to the final of this year’s world test championship at Lord’s.
It was a tiring and frustrating Tuesday for Tim Paine and the Australian attack. The ignominy, for a variety of reasons, may linger longer in their minds than the heartache at Headingley that Ben Stokes inflicted in 2019.
Gabba’s most successful trial chase was previously 236-7, which Australia completed in 1951, while this loss ended Australia’s 32-year undefeated streak at the venue.
Paine cursed his team’s inability to close out a series of wins at multiple junctures after dodging India for a record total of 36 in Adelaide. “Absolutely disappointed,” Paine said. “India has beaten us for most of the series and deserves to win it.”
The wicketkeeper is also likely to complain about a possible missed hit when Pant was 16, and a review that nearly eliminated Pujara by two. There will be questions about Paine’s captaincy, possible changes and Australia’s lack of cruelty.
There should also be praise for an inexperienced Indian XI who threw the kitchen sink to the hosts, refusing to bend when severely under the bomb countless times in the series’ fourth decisive test.
Pat Cummins worked overtime on the fifth day of the fourth decisive round of the series, bringing four of the first five wickets down to give Australia a fighting chance. But Cummins, who was named man of the series, lacked support when Shubman Gill (91), Pujara and Pant reversed momentum once again in the series reversed.
“Here and in Sydney, the game was there to win on day five, but we just didn’t take enough ground,” Cummins said.
The best bowler in the world eliminated Pujara and Mayank Agarwal in a seven more spell with the second new ball. Pant proceeded to fight his way to victory with some help from rookie Washington Sundar’s rapid-fire 22.
