The 2020-21 Border Gavaskar Trophy began with a reality check for the Indian cricket team. In the first match of the four-Test series, the team was bowled out for just 36 runs in the second innings. Australia took advantage of the batting collapse and defeated the visitors by eight wickets to take a 1–0 lead. With Virat Kohli unavailable for the rest of the tour, the chances of India’s return were downplayed by many.
However, Team India surprised everyone, even their fans, by winning the second Test of the series in Melbourne. Now the focus has shifted to the Cindy Test, in which both sides are looking to take the lead. But Test cricket is not always about winning.
In a series full of thrilling tales of victory and defeat, this draw match stood apart. Australia won the toss and decided to bat first. Steve Smith’s scintillating century and Marnus Labuschagne’s crucial knock of 91 helped the hosts finish 338 in the first innings. In reply, India scored 244 runs, with half-centuries from Cheteshwar Pujara and Shubman Gill.
With a lead of 94 runs, Australia were in a perfect position to run away from the match. Smith and Labuschagne continued from where they left off in the first innings and helped the hosts cross the 300-run mark. Australia declared their second innings on the fourth day at 312 for 6, helping India win the match with a target of 407 runs.
The visiting team’s top order gave them a steady start and ended Day 4 at 98 for the loss of two wickets. With Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane at the crease, India’s hopes of victory were still alive.
The final day began with the loss of Rahane’s wicket, leaving India in a precarious position with all three sessions left to play. But Rishabh Pant had a different plan. The southeast showed no signs of pressure. He was fully supported by Pujara, who was standing at the other end. Attacking Australia, Pant played a quick innings of 97 runs in 118 balls. Though he missed out on a well-deserved century, the knock was crucial to the outcome of the match.
After the departure of Pant and Pujara (77), Australia could again smell the victory. The only obstacle in his way was the partnership between Hanuma Vihari and Ravichandran Ashwin. The two put up their side, and while they put on only 62 runs together, the impact their partnership had on the match and the series was far more significant.
The Australian bowlers threw everything at the Indian pair, but the resilience shown by Vihari and Ashwin, who both suffered multiple body-blows, made it ineffective. They stuck to their ends and took India to a draw which was nothing short of a win. Australia were in complete control for the most part of the Sydney Test, but the young Indian team fought hard and won a draw.
The Men in Blue then followed up with a famous 2–1 series win over Australia in the last Test at the Gabba.
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