DOWNHILL SLEDGING

Aussies finally humbled at the Gabba as India shut up lippy skipper Paine with amazing victory

GABSTOPPERS Skipper Paine is crestfallen as India celebrate victory at the Gabba the fourth innings of a Test.

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Balls faced by Cheteshwar Pujara in this Test series, the fifth-most by any visiting batsmen in Australia in four or fewer Tests.

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Previous instances in which a team has come back from losing the first Test of a series to beat Australia in Australia. On all three occasions, it was

England – in 1882-83, 1911-12 and 1954-55 – who managed that.

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Bigger targets chased by India in Tests. This is also the fifth-highest successful chase in Australia. In the last 20 years, only South

Africa have chased down a higher total in Australia, when they scored 414 at

Perth in 2008. of fast bowlers plus firstchoice spinners

FROM 5,400 miles away, Ravichandran Ashwin and

Joe Root and England’s Ravindra Jadeja, 328 to win

cricketers watched a on a decaying pitch was a

fortress fall as Australia’s stupendous chase.

sledging – still their No.1 Back home in the nursery,

national sport – came where he welcomed the

back to bite them. arrival of a baby daughter Locked down in Sri Lanka, last week, Kohli celebrated R o o t and his on Twitter: “WHAT A WIN!!! England Yessssss. To everyone who teammates doubted us after Adelaide, stand up and take notice. followed Enjoy this historic feat lads.” India’s Former England captain sensational triumph at the Michael Vaughan, who had Gabba on TV with mixed predicted a 4-0 whitewash emotions. for the Aussies, was They joined the worldwide bombarded with messages acclaim as Rishabh Pant’s from the subcontinent on audacious unbeaten 89, Twitter and admitted: “Egg following Shubman Gill’s on my face over here in the defiant 91, steered the UK... but I love to see depleted Indians to an epic character and skill. India three-wicket win with just 18 have it in abundance.” balls to spare on a ground Vaughan’s opposite where the Aussies hadn’t lost number in the 2005 Ashes – for 32 years and 59 days. widely regarded as the But England’s admiration greatest series of all – was was tempered by more scathing of the home trepidation, knowing they side, however. have nine Tests coming up Former captain Ricky against India in 2021, Ponting, who had also tipped including four on the subcontinent a clean sweep for Australia, next month. said: “The cold, hard facts of India’s triumph will go it are pretty much that was down as one of the greatest the India A team that played Test series wins after they this Test match – and India retained the Gavaskarborder still won. That’s a real Trophy 2-1. concern for Australia.”

But Australia skipper And spin legend Shane Tim Paine, whose Warne was also critical, leadership is now under saying: “No disgrace in being intense scrutiny Down beaten by a better side, but Under, will struggle to I’m sure there will be a huge live down the verbal debrief analysing strategy tripe he aimed at and tactics from the entire Ashwin during the series. tense third Test draw in “That’s one of the best Sydney: “Just wait series wins I can remember until you get to the on Australian soil, and to do Gabba.” it after being bowled out for While Paine’s 36 – plus a depleted squad hollow threat could – shows tremendous prove his epitaph as character, resilience, courage captain, India rejoiced in and belief. Just fantastic.” the remarkable comeback Crestfallen Aussies coach of a side skittled out for 36 Justin Langer compared in the first Test in India’s matchwinner with Adelaide. another monument to With superstar defiance just 17 months ago. leader “Pant’s innings reminded Virat Kohli on me a bit of Ben Stokes at paternity Headingley,” admitted leave, and injuries Langer. Having one of those ruling in the debit column is unfortunate. out a platoon But twice is amusing.