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'What on earth': Cricket world in shock over 'ridiculous' India miracle

Chris Young
·Sports Reporter
·4-min read
India erupted in celebration after defeating Australia 2-1 in their four Test series on Tuesday. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)
India erupted in celebration after defeating Australia 2-1 in their four Test series on Tuesday. (Photo by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images)

India have defeated Australia at the Gabba for the first time in 32 years on their way to retaining the Border-Gavaskar trophy thanks to a 2-1 series victory.

The visitors claimed an exciting three wicket win over Australia on the fifth day of the fourth Test in Brisbane, with Rishabh Pant (89 not out) and Shubman Gill (91) contributing to the impressive chase of Australia’s 328 run total.

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Just three overs remained when Pant scored the winning runs, marking a thrilling conclusion to the series. The victory is even more remarkable given the injuries suffered by the visitors.

The Indian side erupted as soon as the winning runs were scored, sprinting on to the pitch to celebrate as the Australians slumped to the field in disappointment.

Needing to bowl the Indians out on day five to win back the Border-Gavaskar trophy, only Pat Cummins, who bowled 4/55 from 23 overs, was able to regularly trouble the batsmen.

Commentating the match on Channel 7, Indian cricketing legend and namesake of the aforementioned trophy, Sunil Gavaskar, described the series win as a historic one for India.

Gavaskar labelled it “India’s most famous series victory ever”.

“Despite the win two years ago, in their heart of hearts they would have known without David Warner and Steve Smith it would have been just that little bit easy,” he said.

“Now that David Warner and Smith are there, this is the one.”

Incredible reaction to India series victory over Australia

Fans paid tribute to India’s stunning series victory on social media, with the mounting injury list and repeated quarantine setbacks all contributing to a famous victory.

Australian cricketing great Shane Warne said the loss would hurt for Australia, but added that India’s efforts should be recognised.

“That’s as good a Test match win as I can remember. I can’t remember a better Test match win in recent times,” he told Fox Cricket.

“There’ll be plenty of questions and plenty of fall out for the Australians, but let’s just take a moment to appreciate India.”

Former Australian captain Ricky Ponting also paid tribute to India’s impressive win.

“You can’t speak highly enough of India, it is as simple as that,” he said.

“I said yesterday on air it looked like this game might be a draw and even if it was a draw, that would be a worse result for Australia than when they lost two years ago.

India's pacemen Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur celebrate the victory in the fourth cricket Test match against Australia at The Gabba in Brisbane on January 19, 2021. (Photo by PATRICK HAMILTON/AFP via Getty Images)
India's pacemen Mohammed Siraj and Shardul Thakur celebrate the victory in the fourth cricket Test match against Australia at The Gabba in Brisbane on January 19, 2021. (Photo by PATRICK HAMILTON/AFP via Getty Images)

“We all sat back and said India got us when we were at our weakest without David Warner and Smith there.

“But guess what, David Warner and Smith have been there, our entire bowling brigade has been there, and India have been the exact opposite.

“So if Australia go on to lose this game, it will hurt, it will dig really deep.”

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