India won their first-ever Test series in Australia by a margin of 2-1, after play in the fourth and final Test in Sydney was abandoned due to rain today.
Australia were still trailing by 316 runs when the match was called off as a draw, ending India’s 71-year wait. The last series India won was in the 1947-48.
Virat Kohli became the first Indian as well as the first Asian captain to win a Test series in Australia.
India reinforced their status as the world’s number one team and retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a historic 2-1.
Australia suffered forced to follow on at home for the first time in 30 years after India scored a humongous 622/7 (declare). India bowled the hosts out for 300 and initiated the follow on.
Indian captain Virat Kohli said –
I want to say I’ve never been more proud of being part of a team, than this one right here. The boys make the captain look good. By far, this is my biggest achievement. It’s at the top of the pile.
The Australian captain too couldn’t resist congratulating India, this is what Tim said –
Have to tip our hat to India, we know how tough it is to win in Australia so congrats to Virat and (coach) Ravi (Shastri) because it’s a huge achievement.
Disappointed, definitely over the last two Tests. We had our chances in Adelaide, in Perth, I thought we played some good cricket, but in Melbourne and Sydney, we’ve been outplayed
India got the fantastic start to the series by winning the tight opening Test game in Adelaide by 31 runs on the fifth day. This registered India’s first Test win in Australia for a decade.
The victory was built on Pujara’s first innings score of 123 and his second innings 71. The new wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant took a world record-equalling 11 catches in a test match.
Australia came back in Perth to level the series, winning it by 146 runs.
Again Pujara hit a beautiful century in Melbourne, India set a big total in the first innings, strangling the hosts at 151. India entered Sydney with a clear 2-1 lead.
Australia’s leading batsmen got good starts, but none converted them into a big innings. The team couldn’t fill the shoes of the banned pair Steve Smith and David Warner.
The hosts’ first four-Test home series ended without a century in their history.
Pictures from @BCCI