Grit, courage, determination — adjectives run out to describe Team India’s sensational overall performance to eke out a draw in the Sydney Test against Australia. There had been accusations of racial abuse, an injury crisis ahead of and through the match, but that did not deter the Indian group from going toe to toe against the hosts, who had been favourites to win soon after setting a 407-run target. Rishabh Pant, Cheteshwar Pujara, Hanuma Vihari and Ravichandran Ashwin had been the heroes for India on a gripping final day of the Test. Social media was abuzz with former and present cricketers, and fans as nicely saluting the group for digging in, when most anticipated them to fold.
Really proud of #TeamIndia!
Special mention to @RishabhPant17, @cheteshwar1, @ashwinravi99 and @Hanumavihari for the roles they’ve played brilliantly.
Any guesses in which dressing area the morale will be higher?#OneTeamOneCause #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/hG60Iy6Lva
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) January 11, 2021
Great fightback by #TeamIndia! Special work out there and the group showed wonderful physical and mental strength.
— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) January 11, 2021
What a outstanding determination showed by @ashwinravi99 & @hanumavihari and a brilliant game displayed by Team India with the series at the moment at draw. Extremely proud of your game today#AUSvINDtest pic.twitter.com/l9qUMmWBUO
— Suresh Raina (@ImRaina) January 11, 2021
T 3780 – CRICKET .. Ind v Aus Test .. nicely performed India .. pulled a draw beneath an incredibly challenging scenario .. bore the brunt of injury, bore the racist abuses ..AND CAME OUT VICTORIOUS ..
India you are created of sterner stuff !!
Filled each Indians heart with immense PRIDE pic.twitter.com/viaGu2Zptz— Amitabh Bachchan (@SrBachchan) January 11, 2021
Pic1 – Till Rishabh Pant was at the crease.
Pic2- Pujara, Vihari and Ashwin.And the mixture of these 2 created it a wonderful Test Match. Feel so so proud of the Team,
Pant showed why he wants to b treated differently & d grit showed by Vihari, Pujara & Ashwin was unbelievable pic.twitter.com/aU3qN6O3JF— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) January 11, 2021
Even a half-strength, battled, bruised, injured, ridiculed, abused, bio-bubble fatigued India is challenging for a complete strength Australia to beat at property. No praise higher sufficient for this herculean work. Told you this is a damn excellent group. Cherish it.
#AUSvsIND https://t.co/FT0eFgiau0— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) January 11, 2021
What a test…India have shown outstanding resilience and fight to hold the series extremely considerably alive! #AUSvIND
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) January 11, 2021
What a outstanding overall performance by Team India. Once once again terrific show of resilience beneath grave provocation, spate of injuries and quite a few essential players missing. Bravo! #AUSvsIND
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) January 11, 2021
India began Day 5 at 98 for two, needing 309 runs to win. Not lots of believed India would survive the day, let alone have a shot of winning the game. And it seemed that prediction would come accurate with stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane falling early to Nathan Lyon.
Rishabh Pant, who was hit on the elbow in the initial innings and did not hold wickets through Australia’s innings, was promoted — walking out to bat alternatively of Hanuma Vihari.
Pant began gradually scoring only 5 off 30-odd balls. However, what followed was absolutely nothing quick of amazing. Pant reduce loose, taking a specific liking to the off-spin of Lyon. The left-hander went from strength to strength with Pujara providing him capable assistance from the other finish.
By the time Lunch was taken, India required only 201 runs, more than a fair opportunity of winning the Test. Just when it seemed Pant would attain his hundred and India would take manage of the match, he fell 3 quick of it, attempting to take on Lyon once again.
Pujara battled on but was castled by a brilliant delivery from Josh Hazlewood. India’s hopes faded with Pujara gone and Vihari in enormous discomfort soon after suffering a hamstring injury.
India’s alternatives had been restricted soon after Ravindra Jadeja’s fractured thumb. So, out strode Ravichandran Ashwin, and along with Vihari started a ‘blockathon’ that would will down in history for its pure grit and determination.
The duo played 258 balls to defy the Australians and take India to a memorable draw.
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