Gobsmacked At The Gabba

The injury-ridden Indians stormed Fortress Gabba, beat Australia in one of the greatest Test series wins ever and proved that the country’s bench strength was no accident

- Neeru Bhatia

You need to enjoy this moment, don’t let it go away. Just enjoy! The courage, resolve, spirit you have shown is... unreal. I have tears in my eyes.” This was Ravi Shastri, chief coach of the Indian cricket team, talking to his wards following the victory lap, the award ceremony and the mandatory television interviews. The Border-Gavaskar trophy was back in the Indian dressing room after India beat Australia 2-1 in the four-match series. There was no jumping or yelling; just exhausted faces with tired smiles. The feeling of having played a role in one of India’s greatest ever Test series wins was yet to sink in. Suddenly, those hellish five months in a bio-bubble, away from their families, felt worth it.

Rishabh Pant—the hero of day five in Brisbane—grinned wryly as Shastri told him, “You were simply outstanding! While you were batting, you gave us heart attacks every moment, but what you have done is amazing!” Pant rubbed his eyes and looked down.

For a player who was under scrutiny for his glovework throughout the series, Pant also got high praise from Sachin Tendulkar. “He is a threatening player and the Australians were worried. They were restless when Rishabh was around,” Tendulkar said on his app, 100MB.

The fairy tale tour of hard knocks came to an end with India slaying Australia at their fortress—the Gabba. Some even call it the Gabbatoir, for it is a place sacrificial touring teams are taken for slaughter. Australia had not lost a Test there since 1988. That is, till January 19, 2021. India beat the Aussies by three wickets, ending a 31-Test winning streak.