How Ajinkya Rahane and his men stole a win for the ages at The Gabba

The Brisbane victory was a united team effort, the like of which I have never seen before, writes Australian captain-turned-commentator Ian Chappell

This could well rank as India’s greatest ever Test victory. It certainly is up there in the context of series victories; it rates higher than the team’s last triumph in Australia.

Consider the following: the captain went home to be by his pregnant wife’s side after a horrendous first Test loss. A mammoth 20 players were used in the series, of whom four were debutants. And two of those players were only retained in the squad because of the COVID restrictions and the requirement to provide your own net bowlers.

If the story of this Indian tour was published under the name of Hans Christian Andersen, it would be acclaimed as a bestselling fairy tale. 

Ajinkya Rahane

There were so many heroes for India on this tour but there was only one leader—Ajinkya Rahane. When all seemed lost after the Adelaide debacle he calmly led India out of the maze with a fighting century and inspiring leadership. If Rahane hadn’t produce his magic touch in Melbourne what followed would never have been possible.

The defiance and resilience that proved so valuable in the SCG draw and the heroic push for an unbelievable victory at the Gabba were concocted in the Melbourne Coliseum.

Calm Rahane

Rahane’s worth to this team was fully on display at the Gabba during that final thrilling, maniacal surge for victory. Throughout all the brilliant stroke play and the frenzied shots as victory beckoned, Rahane sat calmly in a corner of the players’ viewing area, occasionally smiling but mostly just soaking up the deeds of his teammates.

Cheteshwar Pujara (left) and Shubman Gill during their 114-run stand at Brisbane yesterday. Pic/AP; PTI

Then when it was all over he spoke generously of his team and their opponents, gracefully lifted the trophy and then humbly passed it to debutant T Natarajan to hold aloft in the centre of the team photo.

This was a united team effort, the like of which I’ve never seen before. In the years to come people will talk glowingly of India’s greatest ever overseas victory but they’ll have to search the back reaches of the team photo to find the captain who inspired this modern miracle.

On this day of courage, skill and belief, no one epitomised the toughness of this Indian side better than Cheteshwar Pujara. He was buffeted from pillar to post particularly by his nemesis Pat Cummins but he refused to buckle.

Without Pujara laying anchor to the innings, the hectic run chase would never have been possible. It was only with Pujara in occupation that the skill of Shubman Gill and the initiative of Rishabh Pant was able to flourish. As long as Pujara was there, India knew they could retreat into their shell and claim an honourable draw if all else failed.

By the time Pujara was despatched, victory was in sight and Pant wasn’t going to be denied.

Best possible headache

There have been so many gains of this tour that the Indian selectors now have the best possible headache; the migraine of many.

They’ll have to leave out of their best side, players who are fully deserving of a spot in the team.

England may have just achieved a meritorious victory in Sri Lanka but they should be warned this Indian team is one of substance. India have added toughness and resilience to their undoubted skill—that is a combination not to be underestimated.

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