Australia were relentless in the first Test against India as they wiped the floors with the visitors at Adelaide. Imagine the dressing room environment after no India batsmen managed to cross the double-figure mark. This will go down as the worst morning ever for Indian cricket fans watching India get bowled out for just 36 runs in the second-innings, marking India’s lowest total ever.
IND vs AUS: The Indians made a stunning comeback
Three days later A Virat Kohli-deficit Indin side came to play the second Test at Melbourne. 32-year-old Ajinkya Rahane stepped up as a captain in the absence of Kohli. Indians bowled brilliantly halt the Australians for just 195 runs in the first innings. Rahane was leading from the front and he scored his maiden hundred at MCG.
Ajinkya Rahane, the name will go down in the books of MCG hundreds. Rahane’s thrilling 112, with support from Ravindra Jadeja, who scored a fighting 57, and Test debutant Shubman Gill scored a quick 45 in the first innings helped India score 326. India lost Umesh Yadav to injury in the second innings, but managed to bowl Australia out for 200, leaving them 70 to chase. India managed to win the second test easily by 8 wickets and that is one of the greatest comebacks by the team.
Sourav Ganguly Congratulates Team India and Captain Ajinkya Rahane On Second Test Win Comeback
BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, on Tuesday, heaped praise over the Indian side for their mesmerizing win against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The Board of Control for Cricket in India (BCCI) President took to Twitter to congratulate the team for their performance in Melbourne. Ganguly also highlighted India’s star performers in the match – Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja.
“A special win at MCG ..India loves playing here ..well done Ajinkya Rahane @ajinkyarahane88 ..good people finish first too.. congratulations to all.. @imjadeja @ashwinravi99. best of luck for the next 2 games,” he tweeted.
Rahane was calm and composed with his captaincy again as he managed to keep his 100% record of winning every Test he captained. On-field calmness and longish spells for bowlers, Rahane’s leadership style was in complete contrast to Virat Kohli’s.
Rahane introduced Ashwin in the 11th over and the decision turned out to be a tactical masterstroke. Ashwin bagged Matthew Wade and Steven Smith in his first spell. After Rahane’s a short speech, an animated Ashwin was seen addressing the team. Indian team huddles under Kohli are one-dimensional, where mostly the skipper is the main speaker.
India and Australia will next face off in the third Test beginning on January 7 at the Sydney Cricket Ground. Steven Smith always looks dangerous at his home ground(SCG) and he would like to get his form back. He can be the differential between India and a win.
