NEW DELHI: Team India witnessed a rollercoaster Test season which got here to an finish with a 1-3 defeat within the Border-Gavaskar TrophyThe loss additionally marked the top of India’s decade-lengthy dominance within the collection, as Australia reclaimed the coveted trophy after 10 years.
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India started their Test season with authority towards Bangladesh at MA Chidambaram Stadium. The first Test noticed India register a huge 280-run victory, thanks to a collective batting effort and the spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja dismantling Bangladesh’s lineup.
The caravan moved to Kanpur, the place India accomplished the sweep in a match that might be remembered for the ages. Despite solely 35 overs being bowled throughout the primary three days, the hosts pulled off an unimaginable heist.
But their push for an unthinkable victory mirrored Team India’s unwavering mindset – a willpower to attempt for fulfillment regardless of the state of affairs.
India dealing with solely 312 balls on this match marked the second-fewest deliveries they’ve confronted — and the fourth-fewest total — to safe a Test victory, trailing solely their 281-ball chase towards South Africa in Cape Town final yr.
Home dominance ended
New Zealand had been up towards India of their subsequent task at house for a three-match collection. Going by India’s present type and New Zealand’s previous report on Indian soil, the collection was anticipated to be a easy problem for the hosts.
However, India had been dealt a beautiful blow within the first innings of the opening Test in Bengaluru, collapsing to a mere 46 runs – their lowest-ever Test whole at house.
New Zealand capitalized with a robust batting efficiency, securing a substantial lead and in the end chasing down the goal with ease. The victory marked New Zealand’s first Test win in India since 1988.
What unfolded within the subsequent Test at Pune was one thing India hadn’t skilled in over a decade, as New Zealand handed them their first house check collection defeat since 2012.
New Zealand’s spinners, notably Mitchell Santner, performed a pivotal function, with Santner taking 13 wickets within the match. India’s batting lineup struggled to counter the spin menace, main to a vital defeat.
The third and final Test of the collection at Wankhede Stadium in Bengaluru introduced no change of fortunes for the hosts as New Zealand did the unthinkable and inflicted a first 3-0 whitewash on India at house with 25-run victory.
BGT legacy shattered
The focus then shifted to one of the most important rivalries in world cricket – the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India, who reigned supreme on the earlier two excursions Down Under, had been as soon as once more tipped to hand a shocker to Australia in their very own yard.
And India rightly lived up to the expectations as they secured a commanding victory within the first Test at Perth, profitable by 295 runs.
However, Australia bounced again within the second Test (day-night time) in Adelaide, reaching a 10-wicket win. The third Test in Brisbane concluded in a draw, setting the stage for a aggressive the rest of the collection.
However, the cricketing world was met with shock after the completion of Gabba Test as star Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin introduced his retirement from all kinds of worldwide cricket with fast impact.
In the fourth Test at Melbourne, Australia clinched a 184-run victory to go 2-1 up within the 5-match collection, leaving a lot to ponder forward of the New Year Test in Sydney.
On the eve of the Sydney Test, Indian cricket followers had been bowled over when the out-of-form skipper, Rohit Sharma, opted to ‘stood out’ from the match to make manner for Shubman Gill. However, the transfer yielded little success, as Australia maintained their momentum and received the fifth Test by six wickets, in the end securing the collection.