India take Fort Gabba

Brisbane, January 19

A resilient India, battered and menaced by the Australian fast bowlers, were unbroken and unbowed to the end as they created history by chasing down a target of 328 in the final minutes of their riveting four-match Test series.

India’s seven-wicket win, achieved with only 17 balls remaining to be bowled on Day 5 of the fourth Test at the Gabba here, gave them the series 2-1. They retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a second consecutive series win in Australia.

4 This is only the fourth time a team has come back from losing the first Test to beat Australia in Australia. On the other three occasions, it was England

3 This was the third biggest target chased by India in Tests. The top two were 406/4 against West Indies in 1976 and 387/4 against England in 2008

5 This was the fifth highest chase in Australia. In the last 20 years, only South Africa have chased down a higher total (414 in 2008)

5 Ajinkya Rahane has not suffered a loss in the five Tests he has captained India. Rahane is the only Indian on the list of nine players that have led in five or more Tests and not lost

1988 The last time Australia lost at the Gabba, against West Indies. Australia were unbeaten for 31 Tests before the loss to India

The young Rishabh Pant, who shepherded India with an unbeaten 89 off 138 balls, played some breathtaking strokes as India ended the home team’s 33-year unbeaten run at ‘Fortress Gabba’. He finished what another youngster, Shubman Gill, started with an elegant 91; India’s most experienced batsman, Cheteshwar Pujara, got peppered with the short ball and was hit 12 times today, but he was immovable as he tied up one end with 56 runs off 211 balls. Captain Ajinkya Rahane, going for victory even though a draw would have been enough to retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, made a rapid 24 off 22 balls. Finally, as tension mounted, Washington Sundar struck Australia’s best bowler, Pat Cummins, for a six and four to give the team and Pant a power boost.

Pant on top

Pant’s battle with Nathan Lyon, playing his 100th Test, was thrilling — Lyon was unlucky when Tim Paine missed a stumping chance when Pant, on 16, attempted a big swing for six; fearless, Pant went for a six in Lyon’s next over and nailed it over long-on. The 23-year-old Pant never looked back as he cut, drove, and paddle-swept to make a statement to his detractors while gifting India one of their finest overseas wins. The Australians would be disappointed at not being able to beat an opposition that was finding it difficult to field a fit first XI a day before the match started. Coach Ravi Shastri was once panned for his “best travelling Indian team” comment but after January 19, everyone would agree that this is the “toughest Indian team on road”. — TNS, agencies

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‘Fearless’ india

Every time we got hit, we stayed put & stood taller. We pushed boundaries of belief to play fearless but not careless cricket. Injuries & uncertainties were countered with poise & confidence. One of the greatest series wins! Congrats India. Sachin Tendulkar

WHAT A WIN!!! Yessssss. To everyone who doubted us after Adelaide, stand up and take notice. Exemplary performance but the grit and determination was the standout for us the whole way. Well done to all the boys and the management. Enjoy this historic feat lads. Virat Kohli

Well done captain @ajinkyarahane88 this biggest series win I feel.. without many big names you guys have showed the way how it’s done. Harbhajan Singh

Test cricket’s heart is beating strongly! That was an extraordinary win & a fantastic series to watch. Aussies not lost at The Gabba since 1988. Wow. Stuart Broad

What a Test match! The depth of Indian Cricket is scary. #testcricket at its very best. AB de Villiers

The Greatest Test series win of all time ... Well done #India you have just shown the way for England to get back those Ashes back later in the year. Michael Vaughan

Remarkable. Injuries galore, absent players, & beating Australia at their fortress at the Gabba. This has been the most remarkable test series victory I’ve watched in my experience. India’s depth of talent, heart and character must forever lift an entire nation. Ian Bishop

Congrats to the Indian cricket team. That’s one of the best series wins I can ever remember on Aust soil & to do it after being bowled out for 36, plus a depleted squad-shows tremendous character, resilience, courage & belief. Just fantastic. Shane Warne