Deccan Chronicle

RISHABASH!

Rishabh leads India to series win after rookies demonstrat­e daredevilr­y

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An Indian cricket team saddled with broken bones and battered bodies showed a neverseen-before zeal to retain the coveted Border-Gavaskar trophy with a historic three-wicket win over Australia in the fourth and final Test here, successful­ly chasing a 328run target to seal the four-match series 2-1. A minefield of talent called Rishabh Pant (89 not out off 138 balls) channelled his inner ‘Mad Max’ to scare the daylights out of the Australian­s with his breathtaki­ng strokeplay, ending the home team’s 32-year-old unbeaten run at the ‘Fortress Gabba’.

The result has the potential to end Tim Paine’s reign as Australia captain having lost back-to-back home series against India.

The highlights package of Pant’s battle with Nathan Lyon can be enjoyed repeatedly in times to come as he demolished the 100-Test man in company of debutant Washington Sundar (22), who hooked the world’s best fast bowler, Pat Cummins, for a six.

No one moved from their seats as Pant cut, drove, and paddleswep­t to make a statement to his detractors

Brisbane, Jan. 19:

while gifting India one of their finest overseas wins during the dying moments of the final session with an offdriven boundary.

While Shubman Gill (91 off 146 balls) announced his arrival on the global stage, Cheteshwar Pujara (56 off 211 balls) surpassed all the pain barriers en route his slowest Test fifty that held the game in balance for Pant to launch a final assault.

The Australian team wouldn’t feel too good about not being able to win a Test match with an opposition that was finding it difficult to field a fit first XI a day prior to the start of the Test match.

The series will be remembered for ages and the impact that Ajinkya Rahane’s team had on the cricketing fraternity.

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 ?? — AP ?? Indian players celebrate with the trophy after defeating Australia by three wickets on the final day of the fourth Test at the Gabba in Brisbane on Tuesday. India won the four-Test series 2-1.
— AP Indian players celebrate with the trophy after defeating Australia by three wickets on the final day of the fourth Test at the Gabba in Brisbane on Tuesday. India won the four-Test series 2-1.
 ?? PTI ?? Mohammed Siraj (centre) celebrates India’s win with Rishabh Pant at the Gabba in Brisbane on Tuesday. —
PTI Mohammed Siraj (centre) celebrates India’s win with Rishabh Pant at the Gabba in Brisbane on Tuesday. —

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