India’s story was, to borrow a phrase, about whether they could
cross the line. Theirs was the only really
important line, which was to win a Test match in Australia, something Indian
teams have only achieved five times in 71 years, and not at all in the past
decade. The short scorecard reads : India
250 (Pujara 123) and 307 (Pujara 71, Rahane 70, Lyon6-122) beat Australia 235
(Head 72) and 291 (S Marsh 60) by 31 runs
~ there was much drama and happiness behind
that !
With
this it is 6 - Tests won by India in Australia. This win is only their third in
the country in the last 35 years. Their previous two came in Perth (January
2008) and Adelaide (December 2003). The first three wins had come on successive
tours of 1977-78 (two) and 1980-81. India are the only team win in Adelaide
twice since 2000. They say ‘catches win
matches’ – there were so many 35 of them in this Test, a world record. It bettered the
the 34 set in Cape Town earlier this year between Australia and South Africa.
All 20 wickets in the second innings of both sides were caught.
The
chatterer young Rishab Pant had a World record 11 catches equalling Jack Russel
against South Africa in Nov 1995 & AB de Villiers against Pak in Feb
2013. For long it was Bob Taylor’s 10 in
that Golden jubilee test (remember he was recalled by Gundappa Viswanath in
that test in Feb 1980 at Bombay) .. .. and what is mostly forgotten is
Wriddhiman Saha took 10 at Capetown in Jan 2018 – but now is nowhere in the
frame after an injury .. that is fate !
~ Pant may rue that drop of Lyon which would have place him higher ~ but
all that happens ..
When
the last catch was held, Indian captain Virat Kohli whirled like a dervish for
a moment, then went immediately to the disconsolate Josh Hazlewood, to the
umpires and to Nathan Lyon as he rose from his haunches at the other end. Hugs
and handshakes followed all 'round. The first four days had passed without
incident or incendiaries. The last day might have been a trial of the sangfroid
of both teams, as well as their detente. It consisted of two long and teasing
sessions, in which victory appeared to dance away from India without ever quite
coming within Australia's reach. Wickets fell only at long intervals, but runs
were at a premium, too, which left plenty of time for dwelling, and for giving
offence and taking it.
Tension
and apprehension were palpable, but still little niceties were observed. When a
Jasprit Bumrah bouncer cannoned off Mitch Starc's helmet, bowler and batsman
made reciprocal gestures of understanding, as tennis players do. When a
Mohammed Shami lifter crashed into Nathan Lyon's shoulder first ball at the
crease, Shami asked if he was OK and Lyon replied with a thumbs up. These might
seem small matters, but at other times and places they were not even this
seemly.
India led from pillar to post, but somehow, this became a narrow
thrashing, yet die-hard were fans were slowly getting concerned.
With Aussie needing 64 at the fall of the ninth wicket, it should have been
easy - Lyon
and Hazlewood cemented themselves in, the score kept mounting and the crowd and
the nation were drawn in to another Adelaide cliffhanger. Dots were clapped
individually, singles hailed like Caesar, boundaries rejoiced in as if they
were national holidays, but between times silence reigned. The voluble Pant
lost his voice for the first time in five days, and even the press box fell as
quiet as if stewards were holding up placards from the golf. Suddenly, every
run had the weight of two, every near-miss a nick out of hearts on both sides.
An
Ishant no-ball was a twisting of the knife to India, Hazlewood's deliberate tip
over slips another, yet still they bit their tongue while Australia swallowed
its stomach. Five highly-strung days
came to a final release with Josh Hazlewood and Nathan Lyon, Australia’s best,
down on their haunches feeling more responsible for their failure to win as
their success in getting their team within 32 runs. They failed at nothing.
At
the end, Australian captain Tim Paine questioned the accuracy of the decision review
system after a series of contentious calls in Adelaide. Umpire Nigel Llong was
at the centre of several questionable calls. He gave Ajinkya Rahane out caught
at bat-pad for 17 early on Sunday but the decision was overturned on review.
Replays indicated the ball had hit Rahane's front pad outside the line of off
stump and missed his bat and gloves. First-innings century maker Cheteshwar
Pujara was adjudged out on eight and 17 to Lyon on Saturday but the dismissals
were overturned. Paine was not keen to elaborate on his displeasure about the
DRS but his frustration was clear. But
clearly one man would be too happy - Aaron Finch has been encouraged to use the
DRS should he again have doubts about his dismissal. The opening batsman opted
not to call for a replay after he was caught in close off spinner Ravi Ashwin
on the final ball before tea on Sunday in Australia's second innings. Finch
consulted partner Marcus Harris before opting to walk. Replays suggested the
ball had not flicked the gloves although third umpire Chris Gaffaney had later
told Lyon there was inconclusive evidence to overturn the decision, meaning
Finch would still have been out had he asked for a replay. .. .. but when he was given out LBW to a
massive incutter of Ishant, he went for DRS, - even before ball-tracking was to
come, it was observed that Ishant had overstepped .. a no-ball that Dharmasena
failed to spot !!
During
the 76th over of Australia's 323-run chase, Rishabh Pant took over the
commentary for an entire over during Day 5 of a thrilling Test between India
and Australia and cricket fans have mixed reactions about his performance. Come
on Pat, you're not putting the bad ball away!" Pant quipped during
Ashwin's over. "Tough to play here," he added in an attempt to
unnerve the batsman. Gavaskar insisted that it's okay for wicketkeepers to talk
to their bowlers and egg them on but he pointed out the risk of sledging an
opposition player, especially a fast bowler. As Cummins tried to block everything
that came his way, Pant chirped: "Let's see some sixes, come on
Patty", "Not going for the shots Patty ? .. .. but perhaps it was a friendly
banter to his IPL teammate !!
An
Indian win, perhaps Pujara made all the difference and rightly the man of the match ~ but I would ever relish that famous win at Melbourne 1981
fashioned by Kapil Dev.
Regards
– S. Sampathkumar
11th
Dec 2018
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