This is how Team India stood and delivered!

Day 5, fourth innings, Gabba Test. Decider. Both India and Australia going head-to-head to lift the Border-Gavaskar trophy. The draw was apt for India. Win? It seemed impossible for everyone without the likes of Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Ashwin, or Jasprit Bumrah backing the side. But something unexpected happened! If people want to witness the thrill, excitement, or nail-biting event, all the cricket fans on Tuesday went through that kind of rollercoaster of emotions.

 

 

All the former cricketing legends and other cricketers had doubted the capability of the "inexperienced Team India". In a game that saw several rookies rise to the challenge, each of them stepped up and scripted history that can be ranked very high on the list of the national cricket team’s greatest triumphs.

 

On the final day of the fourth Test which was a decider to win the Border Gavaskar Trophy, India had two possible scenarios - a draw or win. A draw looked more of a possibility for India as a victory seemed a stumbling block for them. But the Men in "White" seized the opportunity and pulled off an unbelievable win on an emotionally-charged day.

 

 

 

The day started with opening batsmen - Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill - coming onto the crease to take on Aussies. But Sharma departs for 7! On the other hand, Gill, a determined and Cheteshwar Pujara take India to lunch at 83/1. In no time, Gill is going against Mitchell Starc and Starc hands out 20 runs in an over. One of the new ones would be Gill who showcased the depth in Indian cricket. Debuting after 36 all out, at a position where batting has never been tougher in the history of the sport, he was consistent and made major contributions.

 

 

 

Everyone had started applauded Pujara after the match. But why? The rock-solid Cheteshwar Pujara had taken 12 blows to his body. Braving one blow after the another. Aussies being Aussies who were showing no mercy and did not stop but Pujara carried on with great courage. He hung in there till he could, solid as a rock, grabbing every opportunity that came his way to hit the boundaries. He was battered and bruised, yet he batted for over 200 deliveries. On the other hand, he gave Pant, who was on the other hand, the confidence to go for the shots. Pujara frustrated the Aussies - a scene that can be never forgotten. In the end, he faced 211 balls for his fighting 56.

 

 

 

The wicket-keeper batsman walks in at No.5 ahead of Mayank Agarwal at the fall of captain Ajinkya Rahane’s wicket. With Pujara, at the other end, it seemed like they are likely going for a draw. There was also a moment where he almost got dismissed with the web spun by Nathan Lyon but Tim Paine misses a stumping. As Pujara was dismissed, there were still doubts but once Pant seized the momentum, it is history. An unimaginable knock 97 was witnessed at the Gabba. He won the match for India and silenced the critics.

 

 

 

With India needing 49 runs from 42 balls, Washington Sundar comes and scores 22 off 29 balls. He fearlessly plays shots that looked he looked a batsman rather than an all-rounder. He plays a shot against Cummins that sails over the square-leg fence for a six. This also gave confidence to Pant, at the other end, who went against Lyon to hit the boundaries.

 

 

Pant is unbeaten on 80 and is looking to go for boundaries. With 10 runs required, the Indian dug-out is highly anticipating the winning moment. And the winning moment arrives in the final ball of the 97th over, when Pant crunches the cannon-ball to long-off that at last, at long last, breaches the Gabba fortress! 32 years and the mighty Australians have been dismantled, destroyed, at their beloved fortress. The Indians couldn't wait to see Paine (and the rest) at the Gabba. Pant stays unbeaten on 89. India wins the series 2-1.

  

 

The end of an extraordinary fairytale - perhaps cricket's greatest underdog story of all time has reached its picturesque culmination.