India left singing in the rain
Virat Kohli has described his India side’s maiden test series win in Australia as the best achievement of his career.
Wet weather yesterday helped Australia to escape with a draw in the fourth test at a sodden Sydney Cricket Ground, but India made history by completing a 2-1 series victory, retaining the BorderGavaskar trophy.
Play was eventually abandoned, without a ball being bowled, at 2:30pm on day five of the fourth test.
"By far – it has to be at the top of the pile," Kohli said.
"When we won the World Cup in 2011, I was the youngest member of the side.
"But having been to this country three times now and to understand that what we have done has never been done before, it’s something we can be really proud of.
"This series will give us a different identity as an Indian team."
India, having failed to win a test series in Australia in 11 previous attempts, ended a slump dating back to when they were crushed in 1948 by Don Bradman’s side.
The tourists, led by magnificent series from batting rock Cheteshwar Pujara and superb slinger Jasprit Bumrah, achieved it in clinical fashion to expose the immense void left by Steve Smith and David Warner’s suspensions and raise questions about the potency of Australia’s attack.
Kohli’s team banked wins in Adelaide and Melbourne to take an unassailable 2-1 series lead and retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy, while they took control of the final test by amassing 622-7(dec) after winning the toss.
Tim Paine conceded his team were outplayed at the MCG and SCG.
"You have to tip your hat to India . . . we know how hard it
Paine said.
"There’s been a lot of doom and gloom about this group but we’ve got some talent in this team, and some talent not playing.
"We know as a playing group we need to get better."
Man of the series Pujara was also named man of the match in Sydney, where he scored 193.
Australia’s misfiring top six hit an unprecedented low, with Marcus Harris’ 79 in Sydney the highest score any of them managed in this series.
Until yesterday, Australia hadn’t completed a four-test series at home without at least one player reaching three figures.
Yesterday was the third-consecutive day in Sydney that was affected by bad light or rain but that didn’t stop a loud group of India’s fans cheering, dancing, waving flags and singing in the rain for much of the morning session.
Kohli and team-mates celebrated by thanking supporters who had stuck around despite the showers.
Australia, asked to follow on after conceding a first-innings lead of 322 runs on day four, finished 6-0 in their second innings.
The two sides start a three-match ODI series on Saturday at the same ground. is to win overseas,"