All's well that ends well. Draw in Adelaide and a 1-2 series loss isn't something to rejoice about. But, then the script could've gone awfully wrong for Anil Kumble and his men on Monday. The Aussies, in their true style, had bounced back in the game and looked set to clinch an improbable victory on Day 5, just like they had done it against the Englishmen a few years ago. It was the resilience of Virender Sehwag which prevented what could've easily turned into a 3-1 drubbing for the visitors. This by a man who was a last-minute induction in the team for the tour down under.
In the end, when it all ended, there were a lot of happy faces around in the Indian dressing room. Not at the sight of a lethal wicketkeeper-batsman like Adam Gilchrist signing off from Test cricket. But, with what they had achieved since the Boxing Day in Melbourne. They had done what no team in world cricket has been able to do in the last many years: pushing Australians on the backfoot in their own backyard. "I am very proud with the way we performed," was how the Indian skipper summed it up in the post-match ceremony. Proud we are also with your captaincy skills, Jumbo.
Maybe, the scoreline could have been 2-1 in the favour of Kumble's team. Or is it expecting too much? Things could've gone India's way at Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide. Those were the conditions which suited them the most. But, just the opposite happened. Who on Earth would've predicted an Indian victory at Perth! That, coupled with the Harbhajan-Symonds episode in Sydney and the mess created by umpire Bucknor and company, triggered a wave of patriotism back home in India.
The series will also be remembered for master blaster Sachin Tendulkar's heroics with the bat. The Bombay bomber seems to be getting better with each passing day. He did miss a personal milestone by a whisker though... that of scoring 500 runs in a single Test series for the first time in his career.
By the way, what was Sunil Gavaskar doing sitting in the commentary box while the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was being handed over to the Australian team. He should've been down there in the presentation area. Strange are the ways of Criket Australia. Just because they didn't manage getting Allan Border for the final Test, they ignored the Little Master completely. Disgusting!
The latest ICC Test rankings are out too. The Indians now sitting pretty at No 2. But, there's still a long way to go.
(Read: Rank, Team, Points)
1 Australia 141
2 India 111
3 Sri Lanka 109
4 South Africa 108
5 England 107
6 Pakistan 94
7 New Zealand 93
8 West Indies 73
9 Bangladesh 2
In the end, when it all ended, there were a lot of happy faces around in the Indian dressing room. Not at the sight of a lethal wicketkeeper-batsman like Adam Gilchrist signing off from Test cricket. But, with what they had achieved since the Boxing Day in Melbourne. They had done what no team in world cricket has been able to do in the last many years: pushing Australians on the backfoot in their own backyard. "I am very proud with the way we performed," was how the Indian skipper summed it up in the post-match ceremony. Proud we are also with your captaincy skills, Jumbo.
Maybe, the scoreline could have been 2-1 in the favour of Kumble's team. Or is it expecting too much? Things could've gone India's way at Melbourne, Sydney and Adelaide. Those were the conditions which suited them the most. But, just the opposite happened. Who on Earth would've predicted an Indian victory at Perth! That, coupled with the Harbhajan-Symonds episode in Sydney and the mess created by umpire Bucknor and company, triggered a wave of patriotism back home in India.
The series will also be remembered for master blaster Sachin Tendulkar's heroics with the bat. The Bombay bomber seems to be getting better with each passing day. He did miss a personal milestone by a whisker though... that of scoring 500 runs in a single Test series for the first time in his career.
By the way, what was Sunil Gavaskar doing sitting in the commentary box while the Border-Gavaskar Trophy was being handed over to the Australian team. He should've been down there in the presentation area. Strange are the ways of Criket Australia. Just because they didn't manage getting Allan Border for the final Test, they ignored the Little Master completely. Disgusting!
The latest ICC Test rankings are out too. The Indians now sitting pretty at No 2. But, there's still a long way to go.
(Read: Rank, Team, Points)
1 Australia 141
2 India 111
3 Sri Lanka 109
4 South Africa 108
5 England 107
6 Pakistan 94
7 New Zealand 93
8 West Indies 73
9 Bangladesh 2
Very well said Ateet, The Indian team indeed has flexed its muscles in outback. Not only flexed the muscles but also shown of what Indians are capable of. Had umpire Buckner not given few over enthusiastic decisions, who knows the score might have ended 2-1 in India's favour. Despite of series loss, Indain camp is rejoicing and have all the reasons to do so as they have writen a new history. After this fierce competetion, one thiing is for sure that the Aussies can not take any chances in one day series against the 20-20world champs.
ReplyDeleteIt is very admirable how Indians are outshining the world not only in the world of cricket but also in other fields, be it Tetley or Land rover, Jaguar or even be corus aquisition by Tata. Indian economy is clearly an aggressive model and hope t remains the way it is developing. it is quite inspiring specially for Indian expatriates.
On another note, BCCI'S decision of not playing Ganguly and Dravid in one day series and on top of that announcing the team before the 4th test was preposterous. How do they expect the players to deliver thier best in such circumstances.
Well, we look forward for a nail biting and spectacular cricketing in the one day series. All the best team India.