India Tour of Australia

 International cricket is back, after a wait of 9 long months we got to witness Indian cricket team in action once again. And their first assignment after the break was tour down under, in which they had to play 3 ODI's, 3 T20s and 4 Test matches.

At the beginning of the series '92 WC themed jerseys were launched for team India to wear in limited over series.

India's tour started on a sour note as India lost the first ODI by a huge margin (66 runs). Same happened in the second ODI too, where again India lost by 51 runs. In both the matches Indian batsmen were beaten by pace of Aussie bowlers and Indian bowlers gave away easy runs. But Australia couldn't be third lucky as India finally won the third ODI by 13 runs. It was India's first victory in ODI's in 2020.

After ODI's, it was time for T20 series and coming on after playing IPL, this time Indian side were the one's who came out to be victorious. They easily defeated Australia in first two T20's, winning first t20 by 11 runs and second t20 by 6 wickets, chasing down the target of 195. And these victories were achieved in the absence of Jasprit Bumrah. But India were too defeated in the last t20 by 12 runs. This win India's 6th consecutive series win in T20's.

After limited over series, now it was time for the much anticipated and hyped Test series. A lot was said about Indian at the start of the series as team India were going to be without Virat Kohli for last 3 test matches as he was going on a paternity leave. And all these negative vibes affected the team in the first test as they were bowled out for 36 runs in 2nd innings(lowest total in Indian history) and lost the match within 3 days. After departure of Kohli, now it was time for Ajinkya Rahane to lead the team and he led by example scoring 112 runs in 1st innings of 2nd test. He helped the team to come out of nightmare of 1st test and to win 2nd test match. 

The third test in Sydney became one of the greatest drawn test match in Indian cricket history as R. Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari batted out more than 3 hours playing out almost 40 overs even after being hit on body to draw the test match. It was a heroic effect by both the players as even after being injured, Vihari having hamstring injury and Ashwin having back injury, faced the Australian bowling and saved team from loosing the match.

Now, the fourth test match. A very depleted Indian side without any of the first choice bowler was going to play Australia at the Gabba. Indian bowling unit had a total experience of 4 tests and 13 wickets compared to Austalians who had played 250 tests and 1013 test wickets combined. But even the depleted Indian bowling unit was able to bowl out Australia twice. In 1st innings Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur scored their maiden 50s in their debut matches and helped India to a respectable total limiting the lead of Australians. In 2nd innings chasing target of 328, it was onus on Indian batsmen and they did it in style. First Shubman Gill scored 91 runs and then Rishab Pant in his natural aggressive attacking style helped India cruise to victory. For first time in 33 years Australian teams were defeated at Gabba.

The test series showed character of Indian team as depleted and young squad of team India took on a full strength Australian side in their backyard and came out all guns blazing. Five new players debuted for India in this series and all 5 played out of their skins to secure victory for team India. It also showed bench strength of Indian team and proved that India is the best team in the world. the series victory also shut the mouth of Vauhgan and Pointing.

The victory of team India shows that if you have a great will, strength and courage, you can conquer anything in life.

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