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.
Targa
Roar Rookie
Congrats to India on a great performance. If Australia struggle in South Africa it could be an India-NZ final at Lords. That could be one fantastic match.
Andrew Cowley
Roar Rookie
Great decision by Rahane to bowl Ashwin early on day1.after the demoralising loss in Adelaide this was a remarkable performance and showed great spirit and mental toughness.Rahane captaincy was superb.I also admired the understated celebration by rahane at the end of the game.
Sinclair Whitbourne
Roar Rookie
Thanks for this article - it is easy to lose sight of the really deep quality of the Indian side's performance. I think they are very well coached in terms of bowling plans, but the bowlers have to have the ability to put it into effect and the fielders have to support it. At this level pace, or turn don't do the trick on their own. Bradman noted that the difference between Tests and what is below is that in the lower levels you get a really good ball sometimes and enough bad ones to release pressure, but in tests you get a lot of good balls and very few bad ones. Watching India bowl I was struck by this. Personally, I really enjoyed Jadjeja's batting, partly because I love his sword performance, but mostly because I think he is a genuine warrior. I am not totally convinced by him at 6, but he showed tremendous character. A very fine captain's knock as well. Australia bowled well, but key Indian batsmen played better. It was great stuff. 'Boxers' like Gavaskar, or Vengsarkar, or Patel, or Dev must have felt proud.
Ratheesh N
Guest
Pick the right players. Back the batsmen with good technique. Stop picking mediocre players and justifying their selection. Then India win willl more matches than they actually do and will also start beginning the series well.
Arnab Bhattacharya
Roar Guru
Gill looked dodgy in the first 20 mins of his first innings which is normal for any debutant. He'll continue to play his shots which is fine as long as he knows when to leave the ball as well, something i rarely seen Shaw do
La grandeur d'Athéna
Roar Rookie
This is why we are cricket crazy nation. We love cricket. No matter who says what, test series like this still brings out all the emotions, almost like big tournament as world cup. I must admit, when that second wicket of che fell, my heart bits perhaps stopped for a few seconds. Jinks has proven time to time he is the man to lead us.I could not be more proud of our bowlers. Keeping two of world’s top five test batsman silent in their turf is amazing. Especially Steve Smith. Everyone has carried their weight. I am still nervous about our batting though. Shubh looked very dodgy in both innings. I hope he can find confidence from this match and cement his place as our opener we desperately need. Jinks made the difference with bat. We need more from others. If I may, as a cricket fan I am stunned by Australia’s fielding. They define arts of fielding. I can remember a few years ago Glenn Maxwell took a catch which went viral. That gravity defying catch became standard for all fielders. Since then we have seen different versions of it. Such as flying fielders trying to pull the ball inside from outside of rope like Nicholas pooran did in IPL or catching the ball in the air and then throwing it to another fielder. Such acrobatics that revolutionised fielding pioneered and inspired by Australian fielding side. What happened to them? Cricbuzz put it correctly, that is no Australia. That is sad joke.