India win Melbourne Test: The visitors have registered a dramatic comeback after losing the first Test in Adelaide.
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During the fourth day of the second Test of the ongoing India’s tour of Australia in Melbourne, India beat Australia by 8 wickets to level the series 1-1.
Chasing a 70-run target, India lost Mayank Agarwal (5) and Cheteshwar Pujara (3) cheaply to send register some jitters against the new ball. However, a 51-run partnership between opening batsman Shubman Gill (35 not out) and captain Ajinkya Rahane (27 not out) sealed the chase in the over.
Both the right-handed batsmen were seen not bogging down under pressure. A positive approach against a daunting Australian attack made things simpler for the visitors as both Gill and Rahane played some eye-catching shots at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
In the first session, India bundled out Australia for 200 in 103.1 overs despite a disciplined resistance from their lower-order. Debutant Mohammed Siraj was the pick of the Indian bowlers with figures of 21.3-4-37-3.
Apart from Siraj, the likes of all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja, spearhead Jasprit Bumrah and spinner Ravichandran Ashwin picked a couple of wickets each.
Coming on the back of their lowest-ever Test score and playing this match without captain Virat Kohli, senior pacers in Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Umesh Yadav speaks highly of India’s efforts in this Test.
India win Melbourne Test
Brilliant #TeamIndia 👏🏼 #AUSvIND
— Pragyan Ojha (@pragyanojha) December 29, 2020
To win a Test match without Virat, Rohit, Ishant & Shami is a terrific achievement.
Loved the resilience and character shown by the team to put behind the loss in the 1st Test and level the series.
Brilliant win.
Well done TEAM INDIA! 👏🏻 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/64A8Xes8NF— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) December 29, 2020
India too good at the G 🏏👍
Great pitch produced 🎯
Aussies batsman didn’t raise the bat in either innings
India’s inclusions all contributed👏#SeriesLevel#AusvInd pic.twitter.com/7N01lRMtXb— Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) December 29, 2020
Big day for Indian cricket.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) December 29, 2020
Huge win for India. So impressed by the bounce back from Adelaide. The debutants Gill & Siraj. Rahane up a gear with the bat, and as a leader. 👏🏽👏🏽
1-1, we’re in for one hell of a series! @7Cricket #AUSvIND
— Trent Copeland (@copes9) December 29, 2020
India owe this win to their bowlers, but this was Rahane’s Test. Scored a rousing hundred, and made equally vital contributions as captain and leader: Bold and spot-on selections, superb tactics on the field, and that classy touch with Jadeja after the runout #INDvAUS
— Sambit Bal (@sambitbal) December 29, 2020
Rahane gets to hit the winning run for the first time in his Test career. #AusvInd
— Mazher Arshad (@MazherArshad) December 29, 2020
India winning the test at MCG against all odds.😊 #INDvAUS #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/u6WLwT4Y3R
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) December 29, 2020
Huge congratulations to India. 1-1 what a series we have! Brilliant @ajinkyarahane88 and congrats to Gill and Siraj on wonderful debuts #AUSvIND
— Isa Guha (@isaguha) December 29, 2020
WOW!! Incredible comeback. What a win. Fine display of mental strength and character. Congratulations to each and every member of the Squad. @BCCI #INDvAUS
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) December 29, 2020
second straight win at melbourne for india…they wouldn’t mind if the third test is moved to MCG! #AUSvIND
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) December 29, 2020
From Adelaide to Melbourne, the Indian batting has done a Tewatia 😎#INDvAUS
— Gaurav Kapur (@gauravkapur) December 29, 2020
To bounce back in Melbourne after the debacle in Adelaide, is the stuff of cricketing legend. This new look Indian team with a new leader has shown remarkable fighting spirit. Also proof that India can do well without Kohli too. Well done Team India. Take a bow @ajinkyarahane88
— Rahul Kanwal (@rahulkanwal) December 29, 2020
India wins by eight wickets at Melbourne.. great win that showed class and character. Must rank amongst our best overseas wins.. and how appropriate that @ajinkyarahane88 hits the winning run.. he has epitomised the spirit of this team. Well played all! #INDvAUS
— Rajdeep Sardesai (@sardesairajdeep) December 29, 2020
Historic win for India. A half strength team which had just recorded it’s lowest ever Test score in the previous outing shows great character to bounce back. And @ajinkyarahane88 your leadership was brilliant. Kudos Team India. #ausvsind #INDvAUS
— Sumanth Raman (@sumanthraman) December 29, 2020
Perfect justice at Melbourne. An 8 wicket win fully squares an 8 wicket loss at Adelaide. Victory without Shami, Kohli & minus Yadav in 2nd innings. India’s biggest gain: 2 good debuts in Siraj & Gill. #INDvAUS
— Shekhar Gupta (@ShekharGupta) December 29, 2020
Absolutely fantastic win! What a comeback… what a performance! So proud of this team❤️❤️ Captain Jinks 🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽🙌🏽👏🏽👏🏽 here we come Oz🤟🏽 Series is on! #INDvAUS
— Rahul Ravindran (@23_rahulr) December 29, 2020
After The Oval ’71, this is my favourite overseas India win. What a stirring side this is, no divas, every man a hunter and a gatherer. India here reminded me of New Zealand: a ego-free unit, no tall poppies, no hype, just effort and pride. #INDvAUS
— Tunku Varadarajan (@tunkuv) December 29, 2020
As good an overseas win as any in recent memory. Well done India. Well done Ajinkya Rahane! 👏🏻👏🏻👏🏻 #AUSvIND
— Raunak Kapoor (@RaunakRK) December 29, 2020
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