The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President Sourav Ganguly took to Twitter to congratulate Team India on their challenging-fought draw in the third Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Chasing 407 and battling numerous injuries, India’s batsmen showed fantastic resolve to defy the Australian bowling attack to hold the series tied at 1-1. Cheteshwar Pujara and Rishabh Pant played stellar knocks to place the stress back on the hosts on Day 5 of the heated Test match, but immediately after the two fell, Ravichandran Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari – who was battling a hamstring injury – blocked out the bowlers and saw off a memorable draw.
“Hope all of us realise the importance of pujara,pant and Ashwin in cricket teams..batting at 3 in test cricket against quality bowling is not always hitting through the line ..almost 400 test wickets don’t come just like that..well fought india..time to win the series,” Ganguly tweeted immediately after the match.
Hope all of us realise the significance of pujara,pant and Ashwin in cricket teams..batting at 3 in test cricket against high quality bowling is not constantly hitting by means of the line ..just about 400 test wickets do not come just like that..properly fought india..time to win the series @bcci
— Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) January 11, 2021
BCCI secretary Jay Shah also congratulated the players on their performances.
“‘Cometh the hour, cometh the man, and cometh the team’. Extremely proud of #TeamIndia for putting up a fight on Day 5. Special mention to @RishabhPant17, @Hanumavihari, @cheteshwar1 & @ashwinravi99. Well done, guys! Hello Brisbane,” he tweeted.
‘Cometh the hour, cometh the man, and cometh the team’. Extremely proud of #TeamIndia for placing up a fight on Day 5. Special mention to @RishabhPant17, @Hanumavihari, @cheteshwar1 & @ashwinravi99. Well carried out, guys! Hello Brisbane #AUSvsIND
— Jay Shah (@JayShah) January 11, 2021
India came into Day 5 trailing Australia by 309 runs possessing lost each openers. Captain Ajinkya Rahane also fell early on the final day, and with Ravindra Jadeja battling a thumb injury, India’s batting was searching thin and Australia had been favourites to take the lead in the series.
But Pant played a whirlwind knock of 97, when Pujara place in the grind to score 77 just before Ashwin and Vihari’s valiant efforts.
The two teams will now face off in the fourth and final Test at the Gabba in Brisbane.
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