Cricket News

OTD | India registered historic Test series win in Australia in 2019

For Indian cricket, January 7th isn’t just another date on the calendar. It’s a day etched in gold, a landmark etched in the annals of our cricketing history. Five years ago, on this very day, the Men in Blue achieved what was once deemed an impossible feat: conquering the formidable fortress of Australian cricket and clinching their first-ever Test series win on Aussie soil. The 2-1 triumph wasn’t just a cricketing victory; it was a symbol of resilience, unwavering spirit, and the dawn of a new era for Indian cricket.

The series unfolded like a gripping cricket saga. The opening Test in Adelaide witnessed a thrilling contest, with Cheteshwar Pujara‘s first innings ton setting up a win for the Virat Kohli-led India. India made a huge total in the first innings and the Aussies batted poorly during their turn. However, India faltered in the second essay to allow the hosts to crawl back in. Still, India managed to take a 1-0 lead. The Aussies came back hard in the second encounter to thrash India by a huge margin of 146 runs.

Another Pujara hundred and a masterclass by the bowlers meant that India won the 3rd Test at the hallowed Melbourne Cricket Ground to take an unassailable lead in the rubber. In the 4th Test in Sydney, India was once again clinical but unfortunately for them, inclement weather denied them a 3-1 win.

Moments etched in history

The scenes that unfolded in Sydney were surreal. Players embraced in jubilation, tears of joy streamed down their faces, and chants of “Chak de India” reverberated through the stadium. It wasn’t just a victory; it was a collective sigh of relief, a release of years of pent-up frustration. The series win transcended sport. It was a symbol of India’s growing cricketing prowess, a testament to the dedication and hard work of the players, and a boost for the nation’s spirit. It proved that no fortress was impregnable and that resilience and unwavering belief could rewrite cricketing history.

A couple of years later, India achieved another 2-1 series in Australia, and on that occasion, they also breached the enemy’s old fortress Gabba as well. This is with several main players missing due to injuries and personal reasons. India will soon embark on another trip down under to complete a hat-trick of Test series wins.