India defeats Australia in the fourth Test to claim a 2-1 series

Extraordinary scenes as heroic India overcome incredible odds to defeat Australia in the fourth Test in one of the sport’s greatest finishes with just 18 balls and three wickets to spare

India have broken the hearts of Australia claiming an extraordinary victory in the fourth Test to take series 2-1. 

The visitors needed to chase 328 runs on day five at the Gabba in Brisbane after Australia declared with a seemingly unbeatable lead at a ground considered to be a fortress for travelling teams.

But a gutsy batting display by the Indians who were without stars Virat Kohli, Ravichandran Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah saw the tourists snatch the win with just 19 balls and three wickets to spare. 

It was the highest ever total chased in the final innings of a Test match at the ground. 

It’s the second series in a row that India has won Border-Gavaskar Trophy on Australian soil.  

At one stage Indian were 5-265 and appeared long odds to reach the total with Pat Cummins tearing into the middle order with large cracks visible on the wicket.

The fast bowler ended up taking an impressive 4 wickets for 55 runs but it wasn’t enough. 

Nathan Lyon peppered the Indian lineup with off-spinners but only managed 2 for 85.  

The normally reliable Mitchell Starc failed to take any wickets and was belted for 20 runs from his 12th over during the middle session. 

Rishabh Pant’s brilliant 89, following on from opener Shubman Gill’s 91, guided India to their victory on Tuesday, which was the first time since 1988 an Indian side has beaten Australia in Brisbane.

With all outcomes possible on what proved to be a nip and tuck final day of an epic and often controversial series, India seized the initiative in the last session having battled hard all day. 

Rishabh Pant hit a brilliant unbeaten 89 to win the fourth Test and the series for India

Rishabh Pant hit a brilliant unbeaten 89 to win the fourth Test and the series for India 

Pant waves his bat to the crowd at the Gabba after reaching his half-century on the fifth day

Pant waves his bat to the crowd at the Gabba after reaching his half-century on the fifth day

Indian claims a magnificent win

A win appeared out of reach for all but Australia at lunch, but India backed themselves in a record-breaking fourth innings chase at the Gabba. Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar stepped up in the final session to stun the hosts in a famous three-wicket win with just 19 balls remaining.

Score to start the day: Australia 369 & 295; India 336 & 7-329. India win by three wickets, claim series 2-1.

Man of the moment: Rishabh Pant (89 not out) was denied the role of match-winner in the SCG draw but he saw India home in even grander style at the Gabba, steering India home when they needed 69 off more than a run in a ball in the final hour of play.

Key moment: Mitchell Starc was taken for 20 runs from his 12th over during the middle session, Shubman Gill (91) and Cheteshwar Pujara (56) choosing their moment to attack and suddenly give hope to India’s most unlikely chase.

Stat of the day: India’s chase of 328 was the highest successful fourth innings effort in Tests played at the Gabba, ending an unbeaten streak for the hosts that stretched back to 1988.

Quote of the day: “Young India has done it. Young India has shown the way. Young India is showing that they are not afraid. What a win. What a magnificent win,” proud Indian great Sunil Gavaskar said in Channel 7 commentary.

Source: Australian Associated Press

Pant moved into one-day mode and was joined by first Washington Sundar, who made 22 before being bowled by Nathan Lyon, Shardul Thakur and Navdeep Saini, to get India home by three wickets amid nerve-shredding tension in Brisbane. 

It meant India won the four-Test series 2-1 despite being ravaged by injury, confined by Covid-19 quarantine and without their captain Virat Kohli for the last three Tests.  

Kohli and his wife Anushka Sharma had their first child in the new year, and  the Indian superstar headed home after the first test. 

A win appeared out of reach for all but Australia at lunch, but India backed themselves in a record-breaking fourth innings chase at the Gabba. 

Rishabh Pant and Washington Sundar stepped up in the final session to stun the hosts.  

‘Young India has done it. Young India has shown the way. Young India is showing that they are not afraid. What a win. What a magnificent win,’ proud Indian great Sunil Gavaskar said in Channel 7 commentary.



Read more at DailyMail.co.uk