If the period in world cricket from 1977 to 1995 belonged to the West Indies and the period from 1995 to 2005 belonged to the Aussies, then I fear the coming decade will belong to India.
As others have written, the Indian triumph in this Australian summer was like nothing seen before. I can think of no precedent where a team devastated for 36, decimated by injury and devoid of its most fabled player simply refused to give up; ultimately prevailing deep in the last hour of the last day of the last Test. If the Australian team played with that kind of resilience, I would be a very happy supporter – walking around with a stupidly satisfied grin on my face.
Whilst pundits have rightly lauded the likes of Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara and Rishabh Pant for their scarcely fathomable gallantry on the last day of this epic series, I attribute the Indian victory to two middle-order batsmen of whom few had heard before this Test: Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur.
On the third day in Brisbane, Thakur strode to the middle of Gabba, to join his unsung partner, Sundar, with the Indian score at 6-for-186 – still 150 behind the Aussies’ first innings score of 336. Most batsmen in their position would have been nervous. Thakur, at least, was playing his second match and had his Test debut behind him. Playing his maiden Test, however, Sundar did not have that luxury.
Had they failed, it would have been understandable. But with three haplessly unaccomplished batsmen to come in behind them, there was every chance that India may have surrendered a lead of 100 or more. With half the day to play, Australia could have accumulated a lead north of 250, with two days still to play. Then it’s a very different Test match.
Instead, the young men batted with confidence and verve, with competence and daring. They repelled everything the Australian bowling attack hurled at them and they prospered. Together, Sundar and Thakur contributed 129 runs to the Indian total and propelled their team to within 33 runs of the Australian score. Rather than being 250 or more ahead at stumps, the Aussies only enjoyed a slender lead of 54.
India celebrate a wicket in the fourth Test (Photo by PATRICK HAMILTON/AFP via Getty Images)
Australia should have started day four, luxuriating in the comfort of a healthy lead and pressing forward towards an imposing total, with time to spare. Instead, runs, wickets, time and weather were all in the mix when they made their uncomfortable calculations. As it turned out, even a seemingly distant target of 328 was not enough.
Australia lost this match long before the heroics of day five. The Test was lost on day three when Sundar and Thakur – two youngsters of close to zero Test experience – defied the most-feared bowling attack in modern Test cricket.
That India can lose the majority of their preferred team and still prevail is sobering. That they can win away from home is daunting. And that Indian management can cast a confident eye around their squad, point to two unknown kids and say, “Washington and Shardul, you’re up!” is terrifying for the rest of us.
That depth of skill and composure – not to mention character – heralds a period of Indian dominance like no other.
And, frankly, it’s going to be thrilling to watch.
Hades
Roar Rookie
*2013
Lara
Guest
This is a series that India had no right to win. Oz at home n one up n you are in trouble. The number of injuries , captain back home.....$1.04 would have been the payout for an OZ series win. India pulled off the impossible n that is scary for the rest of World cricket . Their team management must be given a lot of the credit n the young lions showed their skills n courage. What a series.....I love test cricket, but it had T20 in it as will. Oz is in a state of shock . India can only get better.
Peter Hunt
Roar Guru
CSKERD, if that means cricket thrives across the globe, then that makes me very happy!
WillowWiz
Roar Rookie
Yeah, that is weird, isn’t it! I think you’ve missed the Champions Trophy 2014 which, if I’m not mistaken, was won by India though.
Hades
Roar Rookie
Decipher this statistic https://ibb.co/qkrPfDv India’s win % (ODIs) is almost 64% (last decade, 2010-2019). Yet they don’t have any major ICC trophy after the 2011 wc win. Chokers 2.0 or something else?
Hades
Roar Rookie
You need to give enough opportunities to younger talents as well (on top of money, skill and population) Reckon many talented players don't get enough opportunities. Players like Sanju Samson, I. kishan, s Kumar Yadav etc. Waste themselves playing domestic tournaments and franchise cricket. I wonder if this is because of politics or something else. Maybe indians prefer swag over substance.
CSKERD
Roar Rookie
A little context… Indian contingent exists in almost every country…We not only are the most populous,,we top exports in human resources… So A lot of Ads,Money generation etc are targeted towards Indians. And yes, future is bright when you have Kids as small as 3,4 yrs train for cricket…
Anand
Guest
Especially with Kohli back into the squad as captain, we have no chance.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
No it not just the size. It’s the size of the population you can have earning ok money. Whatever it Ripley like to call it ‘blue collar’, ‘working class’, Thea large population making enough money to spend money on goods, spending good amounts on hobbies and their kids hobbies, governments and companies making money and spending it on people. Indian, like China is getting tens of millions into this group of money earners. And this population is the one going to make the difference to cricket for the country.
La grandeur d'Athéna
Roar Rookie
Unfortunately , this myth of huge population very rarely materializes. We have been country of billion people for decades. How many trophy did we win? We need to nurture billion people and the money needs to flow in right path for realize the potential of our huge population.
Dwanye
Roar Rookie
Hi La grandeur. I also think it close and even, India didn’t handle NZ too well, too soon to put India with those other teams, but I think it only a matter of time. Population and money size we have never seen before. One thing I hope don’t get repeated from comparison, I hope Aust don’t have the deep, long length slide the WI have had, we be left player the bottom half of the table, lucky if Indian invite us to anything.
Peter Hunt
Roar Guru
Nice! That's a really well-balanced and thoughtful message.
WillowWiz
Roar Rookie
"On behalf of everyone at Cricket Australia, we congratulate Team India for their resilience, courage and skill demonstrated in retaining the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in a series that will be talked about for generations to come," CA wrote in a Thank You note to the BCCI. The note, written by CA interim CEO Nick Hockley and Chair Earl Eddings, was addressed to "friends in Indian cricket", the BCCI, acknowledging the role played by the Sourav Ganguly-led board in successfully completing the tour amid the COVID-19 pandemic. "Australian cricket will forever be grateful to the BCCI for their friendship, trust and commitment in helping to deliver a series that has brought joy to many millions of people around the world at a time they needed it most," the letter read. "The unique challenges of international touring during a global pandemic are considerable and we thank India's players, coaches and support staff for all they have given. "Over the past nine weeks, the Indian and Australian men's teams completed outstanding One-Day International and Twenty20 International series, followed by one of the greatest Border-Gavaskar Test series ever competed," it added. The CA officials said that the BCCI's cooperation was crucial to making the tour a hit. The series gave the financially struggling CA a major boost with an expected revenue of 300 million Australian dollars. The two teams brushed aside some unsavoury controversies like the racist chants against Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah by the crowd in the Sydney Test, to ensure that the focus remained firmly on cricket. "Despite the many public health and logistical challenges, the BCCI engaged with a spirit of cooperation befitting their status as one of international sport's greatest ambassadors." "We will never forget the sacrifices made by our friends at the BCCI that made all this possible," they said. The note also appreciated the contributions of all other stakeholders, saying the series witnessed many enthralling contests between players of the two sides. "From the sublime fast bowling of Jasprit Bumrah and Pat Cummins, to the wonderful batting of Ajinkya Rahane and Steve Smith, to the exciting debuts of Shubman Gill and Cameron Green - and much, much more - the past two months of cricket have been absolutely enthralling. "May we also take this opportunity to thank everyone who played their part to deliver this memorable series -- governments, health officials, venues, broadcast and commercial partners, cricket associations, players, match officials, staff and their families."
Peter Hunt
Roar Guru
Agreed DaveJ...and Sundar took some wickets... I'm a big fan of Green - and I'm excited about his future...but his inability to take a wicket in four Tests is concerning.
DaveJ
Roar Rookie
India’s depth looks promising, especially in the batting. Gill could be one for the ages. About the bowling, not so sure: Bumrah is around for a while, but Shami, Ishant and Umesh Yadav are ageing, and the likes of Siraj and Saini don’t look that hot, despite their efforts here. Ashwin and Jadeja also getting on. But agree with the crucial nature of the Sundar-Thakur partnership in keeping India on even terms. Played with great assurance in their first and second Tests- quite a contrast with most of the innings Green has played, for example, which isn’t to say he won’t develop that with experience. Sundar was eye-opening in that respect.
Peter Hunt
Roar Guru
Thanks Riccardo, I agree that each of the top tier cricketing nations have cause for optimism, including Australia by the way. And your point about the unassuming Kiwis is well made. But I come back to the subtle point in my article. The fact that India can call upon a guy like Washington Sundar - who must have been at least third pick for his specific role in the team - and he performs with such distinction under pressure... wow! That speaks to the depth of talent in the Indian squad.
Peter Hunt
Roar Guru
I agree, d'Athena, that an era where no team dominates can make for some thrilling contests. But there's also something alluring about an era where one country forms a dynasty. Some of my best memories of cricket occurred when the Windies were the kings and even competing with them was worthy of celebration. If India become the dominant team of the 2020s, I will look forward to our contests with them even more than I do now. I can barely wait for the Australian tour of India in October 2022!
Peter Hunt
Roar Guru
It's a point well made Targa, but I wonder whether we'll see an improved Indian performance in those venues on the back of their experience this Australian summer.
Peter Hunt
Roar Guru
I take your point Hades, although I was talking more about Test cricket than other formats. And I not sure there is an over reliance on a group of stars when India won this series on the back of some relative unknowns when the stars were either not available or injured.
Peter Hunt
Roar Guru
Thanks WillowWiz, I agree with all your points. I would add that I think we are seeing the positive impact of the IPL and other T20 leagues on Test Cricket; players with limited (or no) Test experience, performing with a clear head under pressure because they've been there before.