A momentous win for Team India in Australia
After repeated frustrations in 2018, this India side has come into its own
India’s 2-1 series win against Australia is momentous in all sorts of ways. It is its first series win in Australia. It came despite the team’s best batsman and captain, Virat Kohli, being only the third highest run scorer (behind the superlative Cheteshwar Pujara and Rishabh Pant), showing how India were not solely reliant on Kohli for big totals. It was due in large part to the sustained fire and venom of India’s fast bowlers, with Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami and Ishant Sharma picking up 48 wickets between them. This is India’s best pace attack ever. Never before has an Indian fast bowling unit, outside the subcontinent, outshone the pace attack of a home side. It was, after the disappointments of series losses in South Africa and England in 2018, much needed redemption.
This was an enfeebled Australia side. Without Steven Smith and David Warner, both suspended for ball tampering, the batting lacked quality. The captain, Tim Paine, drafted in because of Smith’s suspension, was unproven as a leader. But none of that is India’s fault. One can only play the opposition one is handed; and a weak one was what India was up against. India would never find a better opportunity. India took its chance. Unlike in South Africa and England, India did not squander the big moments. It bent the narrative of the game to its will. It showed purpose, resolve, quality and mental strength. The current Australia side has one of the best attacks in the game at the moment. Not only did India outbowl the Australians; the batsmen — again, unlike in England — ground that attack into the dust.
Kohli spoke about how this win will give the team a new identity. This is perhaps the moment, after repeated frustrations in 2018, that this India side has come into its own. It is the foundation on which future success can be built. What India does now will show whether this side deserves a place in the canon of great India Test teams.