Australia vs India 2018/19: Twitter Erupts As India Beat Hosts To Retain Border-Gavaskar Series
India beat Australia by 137 runs in the third Test to take an unassailable 2-1 lead in the four-match series.
Australia had a mountain to climb when India set them an improbable target of 399. The deteriorating pitch had already made it tough for the batsmen and with the Australian batsmen showing little application, India had an easy sailing. The hosts made a woeful start to the chase with Aaron Finch flopping again. The right-hander could score just 3 before falling to Jasprit Bumrah.
Fellow opener Marcus Harris followed him back to the pavilion for 13, getting an inside edge from spinner Ravindra Jadeja to Mayank Agarwal close in. Usman Khawaja also did not last long as Australia found themselves 3 down for just 63. A 50-plus stand between Shaun Marsh and Travis Head then stopped the rot for a whole but Australia’s faint hopes soon evaporated when the Marsh brothers departed with just 135 runs on the board.
Head put up some resistance with a battling 34 before his stumps were knocked over by Ishant Sharma and when skipper Tim Paine went for 26 it appeared all but over. However Pat Cummins showed some remarkable stubbornness and scored a gritty fifty to push the game to the fifth day. It, however, did not take long India to wrap up the proceedings on the final day.
After a delayed start to the game due to rain, Bumrah drew the first blood on the day by dismissing Cummins before Ishant accounted for Nathan Lyon to bowl out the hosts for 261.
Here are some reactions from the cricketing fraternity:
Firsts are always special. In Australia, against Australia. On Boxing Day. The debut couldn't have been any sweeter. Thank you for the overwhelming welcome and support. ?? pic.twitter.com/3nHuxVlvdc
— Mayank Agarwal (@mayankcricket) December 30, 2018
Success isn't always about greatness. It's about consistency.?
A dream win for us and what a way to end the year! ??
Truly exceptional.#AUSvsIND pic.twitter.com/6Kaiy46v4O— Jasprit Bumrah (@Jaspritbumrah93) December 30, 2018
Incredible effort by #TeamIndia to take a 2-1 lead, especially @Jaspritbumrah93 who has played an instrumental role in this win. He has gone from strength to strength in all formats of the game. Definitely one of the best in the world today. #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/vweoHd0nEE
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) December 30, 2018
Memorable win for #TeamIndia at the MCG. Great team effort and now we have an opportunity to create history at Sydney. Congratulations to each and every member of the team and to our domestic cricket where our cricketers enhance their skills. pic.twitter.com/osU6HHCSQl
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) December 30, 2018
The pace triplet at The G. This was such a historic Test. Proud feeling to be a part of this group. Record breaking 130+ wickets in 2018 #TeamIndia @circleofcricket @ESPNcricinfo pic.twitter.com/wYreTY3XtT
— Mohammad Shami (@MdShami11) December 30, 2018
Very convincing win from ?? congratulations. For ?? @patcummins30 was the standout ?
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) December 30, 2018
And that's a wrap on Melbourne! What a rollercoaster of a game it has been. Games like these bring out the true beauty of test cricket. Thank you all for your wishes. Ending 2018 with this lovely memory. On to the final one now! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/durwAO5HmC
— cheteshwar pujara (@cheteshwar1) December 30, 2018
This is the second time that India have retained the Border-Gavaskar trophy while Australia have been able to do it only once so far.#AUSvIND
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) December 30, 2018
https://twitter.com/ItsARipper/status/1079200476522893312
India's four Test away wins in 2018
v South Africa, Johannesburg
v England, Trent Bridge
v Australia, Adelaide
v Australia, MelbourneAnd Cheteshwar Pujara scored 50-plus runs in each of the four Tests.#AUSvIND
— Umang Pabari (@UPStatsman) December 30, 2018
https://twitter.com/Devesharora20/status/1079200702457536515
While AUS fans can bemoan the standard of the current team there is no mistaking that this is a wonderful IND side … terrifically well-balanced with clear match winners in both the batting and bowling departments … world number one with good reason #AUSvIND ?
— Glenn Mitchell (@MitchellGlenn) December 30, 2018
Top stuff ?? 2-1 up in the series #AUSvIND test series well done @Jaspritbumrah93 @cheteshwar1 @imVkohli proud of you guys.. make it 3-1 congratulations…Team india @BCCI
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) December 30, 2018
Well done India! A very good win #INDvAUS @BCCI ????
— Anjum Chopra (@chopraanjum) December 30, 2018
Nice that there’s still appreciation & room in the game for the “quiet achiever”;Jasprit Bumrah’s not far off becoming the “gold standard”. Pujara proving that those who critique his scoring rate don’t quite grasp his significance to an evolving India batting lineup.
— Ian Raphael Bishop (@irbishi) December 30, 2018
37 years 10 months ago was the last time India won a test at the MCG, none of the players from either sides were born. This win is one to savour & cherish for a long time and a perfect end to 2018 for Team India. Each player can be very proud of their contribution to this win?
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) December 30, 2018
Pujara & Bumrah architect of MCG win but credit also to Mayank Agarwal, Kohli, Pant & other bowlers.. a veritable team effort. So glad that Agarwal grabbed the opportunity & fixed India's opening trouble. #AUSvIND
— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) December 30, 2018
Contribution of debutant Mayank Agarwal must be acknowledged too. Batted with skill and maturity in both innings, took a couple of great catches
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) December 30, 2018
India go up in the series with 2-1, Mitchell Johnson has packed his bags for the mental asylum.#INDvAUS
— sunil the cricketer (@1sInto2s) December 30, 2018
I was alive when India went up 2-1 against a test series in Australia.
— EngiNerd. (@mainbhiengineer) December 30, 2018
This is a comprehensive, compelling victory for India. Outstanding effort from bowlers & Pujara. This is the 2nd time India have won 2 Tests in a series in Australia; might well be the first time will win Test series Down Under. Cannot wait for Sydney Test to begin. #AUSvIND
— Navneet Mundhra (@navneet_mundhra) December 30, 2018
India beats both the weather and Australia to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy!!
On to Sydney now. #AUSvIND
— Rashi (@rashi_kakkar) December 30, 2018
