India’s tour of Australia – Sydney Test Match
The situation could not have been more daunting.
India’s best batsman not available due to paternity leave.
All those who could bowl fast, out because of injuries.
India’s best all-rounder laid low by a fracture.
Rahane, the Captain, recently out from a run drought. Despite his Melbourne heroics, he was not yet at his best. Could being touted as a better Captain than Virat jinx Jinks?
Shubhman Gill showed promise and intent. But many openers had done that before – Shikhar, Mayank, Rahul, Prithvi – to be laid low by alien conditions, after the initial promise. He still had to prove he was cut from a different cloth.
Rohit was back where he belonged – but had to lay to rest, the impact of rumours of a rift with Virat and of course his suspect track record abroad.
After a brilliant 2018/19 tour of Australia, Pujara had forgotten the art of scoring runs. It felt as if his job description (JD) had been re-read to him – occupy the crease and get out with not much to show against your name.
Hanuma Vihari being true to his name. As Hanuma (mythology says that Lord Hanuman never knew his strengths) he became oblivious of his strengths and as Vihari (tourist in Hindi) visited various stadiums in Australia with no contribution. With no backers, his exit from the Indian team loomed large.
Pant had dropped so many catches behind that his X factor (runs scored in front minus runs given away by dropping catches) became negative. His long rope was coming to an end.
Ashwin had to prove that he could bowl well in all tests in a series abroad.
Siraj and Saini – raw and energetic, but lacking experience, filling up the space left by a spate of injuries . Even they would not have dreamt that they would debut in this series.
Jadeja and Bumrah aware that they had to step up their game to cover the team’s inadequacies - Jadeja while fielding and Bumrah while bowling.
Waking up the sleeping giant, Steve Smith meant our cup of worries was more than full.
With so much stacked against us, as we entered fourth innings of the match, even die-hard Indian fans expected us to capitulate.
But, the players, they had other ideas.
Rohit and Gill batted with enough positivity to not let Australia pile up pressure.
Though Rahane failed, Pujara woke up to the role he had – that he had to score runs.
Pant – sans the burden of wicket keeping, flourished and demonstrated why he is treated as a special talent.
Vihari (a quirk of fate – a hamstring injury meant he could not run – saving us a possible run out) dug deep into his reserves to prove that he could face pace and spin with aplomb. Forsaking glory for guts, unflinching in determination while experiencing agonising pain, he paid back the faith selectors and the Captain reposed in him.
Ashwin reminded himself and us that he had test centuries under his belt. Combining stodgy defence, stroke making flair and acerbic retorts to sledging, Ashwin showed again he is a unique combination of brain, brawn and balance.
In a Batathon that stretched over 40 overs, the duo took us beyond defeat.
In crossing the line unscathed, a bunch of players who were under scrutiny, unsure of their place in the team, under the pump, strung together a story of resistance for the ages.
We showed in ample measure the traits of tenacity, resilience and character.
In generations to come, this match, more than many other memorable wins, will be spoken about. For the way an un-fancied team scripted one of the great Houdini acts of test cricket.
