When it comes to Border-Gavaskar trophies, the recently concluded one would perhaps rank as one of the best so far, in terms of toughness and resilience from an Indian point of view. The images of triumph, disappointment, and overall achievement will stay in the mind for a few seasons to come. But first, let’s just revisit the playing ground that Australia is, was, and will be.
Travelling to Australia and playing in those rather hostile conditions has always been a test for the visiting side. But the 2020/21 version has had that Covid 19 angle to it, which added to the usual pressure. There was a new normal and it had to be adhered to. The virus demands total respect.
Having played a newly scheduled Indian Premier League in the month of September 2020 in ‘new normal’, bio – bubbled scenarios, the cricketers had no turn around time and were on their way to Australia. To play a long and what promised to be a tough series in all three formats.
The fact that there was any cricket being played at all in these unusual times was a miracle in itself. The new deadly virus challenged mankind like never before, and suddenly life was very different for those who paid cognizance to the virus.
With the shorter formats being played earlier, the boys had exposure to the conditions and life in covid bubbles, Australia style. What seemed odd was that even though the cricketers followed covid protocols, the spectators and the cities, in general, seemed to be blase about the virus. People going about life as they did in pre covid times.
Fourteen days in strict quarantine for the visitors, before the One Day series, was a challenge to overcome. Thanks to the freshly completed IPL which comprises quite a handful of the Australian players, the on-field atmosphere was one of bonhomie among the opposing sides. This irked quite a few cricket viewers, specially in Australia as they always carried the tag of the bullies and the ‘in your face’ team. The home team won the three-match series 2-1.
The One Day series was followed by the three Twenty20 games. India had the largest squad on tour as there were boys who had to be in the country from the start no matter which format they were playing, because of the covid protocols. Barring the unfit Rohit Sharma, who had to go to the NCA in India to get into some semblance of fitness. In the shortest format of the game, the Indians overcame their hosts and took the series 2-1.
Border Gavaskar Troohpy: India vs Australia
The stage was now set for the much-awaited Border-Gavaskar Test series. A best-of four Tests that would quite naturally test the cricketers for their innate skill sets. Indian Skipper Virat Kohli deemed it fit that he would rather be by his wife’s side for the birth of their firstborn than play for the nation in an important Test series. A decision that shall remain open for debate, but in the end quite obviously a personal call.
Test one was the day and night pink-ball Test at Adelaide. It was even stevens in the first innings for both India and Australia. For the Indian fan to see the pace battery perform as they did was most satisfying. Ashwin with his guile and spin was another heartwarming factor. Captain Kohli held the fort in the first innings with Pujara and Rahane playing cameo knocks. It was the second innings that was an absolute disaster. A freak 36 all out that had many a tongue wagging. The fickle Indian cricket fan had come out all guns blazing in their criticism. Virat Kohli left a mentally shocked team to return home to his beloved. Not sure how ‘happily ever after ‘that felt for cricket lovers in India.
Next stop, the sporting city of Melbourne. The Indian team knew that they had no one else to answer to but themselves. They came out with the right approach, leaving behind the last Test and moving forward. Bumrah, Siraj, and Ashwin made their statements in the bowling department and Captain Rahane played his part with a century to his name. Young Gill and Ravi Jadeja made contributions with the bat. India won the Test in convincing fashion by 8 wickets.
With a lot of yo-yoing about whether Sydney should host the third Test, given the surge of covid cases, finally, the SCG played host to the third Test. There was added protocol for the teams and that would have added to the physical pressure more than the mental one. Rohit Sharma had done his 14 days isolation and was in action for this Test. Australia had the upper hand as they declared their second innings and India were set a target of 407 to get in their second innings. At 102/3 with Rohit Sharma who scored a half-century and captain Rahane back in the pavilion, things were not looking bright for the visitors. But in came the maverick Rishab Pant and soldiered his way to 97 with the steady Pujara at the other end. With Pant and Pujara back in the house, at 272/5 it looked like a very uphill task to survive. Ravi Jadeja with a fractured thumb was not going to be able to bat and it was upto an injured Hanuma Vihari and a battered R Ashwin to save the Test for India. Seeing out over by over, ball by ball, the two Bravehearts showed nerves of steel. The Aussie pacers were relentless and seeing two wounded batters, the contest got jucier for them. In what was a record for a number of balls faced for the 6th wicket, Vihari and Ashwin made sure India did not lose the game. Perhaps the most interesting Test draw ever. The character of the Indian team came shining through having shown great resolve in the face of racial slurs from the boorish spectators and sledging from the opposing captain in particular. India showed that they were above it all and let their cricket speak.
Time now to move to the final Test. Brisbane demanded additional covid protocols and stricter rules and this did not go down well with the Indians. Battered and bruised with an injury list that was almost a team in itself, the Indians were not in the mood for stricter covid protocol rules. After the dialogue, the Indians agreed to play at the Gabba. With all to play for with the series tied at one-all, both teams went in all guns blazing. Famously the Gabba is Australia’s fortress and India were playing without their first choice eleven. But to show up and play a brand of cricket that would shut all critics is exactly what the Indians did. Youngsters at the fore, the Indians seemed to squash challenges as they came along. No easy pathways here. The hosts set up a 350 plus score in their first innings and for the Indians the young pacer debutante Natarajan, the wiry Saini and the spin debutante Washington Sundar shared the wickets. India at 186/6 was looking down the barrel. But two new heroes came to the rescue. Young Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur batted with purpose and took India across the 300 marks with a 123 run 7th wicket partnership. The hosts were bowled out before they got to the 300 marks in their second innings, with the much-abused (racially) Mohd. Siraj taking a five-for. India had to score 328 to win the Test and had a whole day to bat out to save the match. Yes, this would be a final test of cricket skill application and more importantly mental maturity. The young opener Shubman Gill shone with a brilliant 91 and then Pujara and Pant seemed to be taking India steadily to victory. But then the wickets started falling and time was running out. RishabPant had to pull it off for his team. And he did just that, not without heartbeat skipping moments, as India crossed the finish line winning by three wickets.
The trophy was Indias to retain and in those arduous nine weeks in a country not known for benign conditions, Team India emerged victorious. Despite all the odds, the constant battering of bodies and souls, India came up ‘tops’ down under.
And as a cricket lover, to see the team perform like gladiators not giving in to adversity, was unreal.
Heres to this Team India. Salute. Respect.
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