Opinion
December 19 2020 was a dark day in Indian cricket.
From a position of dominance, the Indians crumbled for 36 all out, looking all at sea against Australia’s fast-bowling trio of Josh Hazlewood, Mitch Starc and Pat Cummins.
Add to the fact that Virat Kohli was heading home on paternity leave and Mohammad Shami was ruled out of the rest of the series, stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane was up against it.
Just like in the previous two Tests Rahane has captained, he chose an XI with five bowlers, backing his top six – alongside Ravindra Jadeja and Ravi Ashwin – to score the runs.
Replacing Kohli with an all-rounder in Jadeja took guts and courage was required to overcome the Adelaide debacle.
Despite losing the toss and having to bowl first, Rahane’s fielding placements, alongside his bowlers’ discipline, led to Australia being bowled out for 195 on Day 1.
But it’s Rahane’s man management of debutant Mohammed Siraj that impressed the most.
Siraj lost his father a month ago and in what was already a highly emotional game, Rahane eased Siraj into the game – allowing him to soak up the Boxing Day atmosphere before bowling in the second session.
Then came Rahane’s turn with the bat, coming in after debutant Shubman Gill nicked behind for 45 and then saw Chesteshwar Pujara dismissed by a jaffa, the pressure was on.
Rahane hadn’t scored a Test century outside of Asia and the West Indies since the 2014 Boxing Day Test, and he needed to step up under pressure.
Ajinkya Rahane (Photo by Kai Schwoerer/Getty Images)
Respecting the good balls and attacking the loose deliveries, the Indian skipper formed 50-plus stands with Hanuma Vihari and Rishabh Pant, before a century stand with Ravi Jadeja led to Rahane scoring his 12th Test hundred.
Despite being dropped on 74 and 104, Rahane’s runs ensured his side had a 131-run lead as the Aussies went out to bat on the third day.
Once again, Rahane’s tactical nous and man management was excellent. Losing Umesh Yadav to a calf injury, he called on his star spinner Ashwin to do the bulk of the bowling.
Choking the Aussie batsmen with a lack of runs being scored, wickets kept on falling, despite the pitch having no glaring demons. Even when the second new ball was used, Rahane backed his spinners to keep a check on the run rate, playing with Mitchell Starc’s ego by having a spinner on one end at all times during his innings.
And then with the bat once again in the second innings, Rahane ensured there was no scare as India thrashed their opponents by eight wickets.
Having lost the plot at Adelaide in the space of 40 minutes or so, it was going to be a real test of character at the MCG. No star batsman in Virat Kohli and with premier quicks Ishant Sharma and Mohammad Shami missing through injury, never had in my 13 years of following cricket have I seen India with their backs against the wall as badly.
But they passed the test with flying colours.
This was a real test of character and grit and by dominating, this ranks as one of India’s greatest Test victories.
Whether they can go on to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy is one question. But with four home Tests coming up against England after this series, the Indians are in a genuine chance of going to the World Test Championship final.
Ah, Test cricket. You bloody beauty.
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