Perfect team effort

[urbestfriend]

Its not just the series win, but when we had back against the wall, how team came through to win this series. I

Why this is the greatest series? Amidst many injuries, new comers took their chances with both hands. 

Everyone contributed to the team success, we can't say someone has not contributed to this. It's almost unbelievable. 

Here is the list:

 

Pant: Unbelievable, his presence in the team changed the team composition. His positive intent of 29 in Melbourne changed the course of this series which helped us to put a decent score on the board. Again in Sydney and Brisbane, his positive intent and fearless attitude helped us to find the self belief and Man of the series for India for me. 

Rahane: Very good captaincy , positive in team selection. Always went with 5 bowlers at the cost of a batter. This paid off very well considering how many on-field injuries we had in the tests. I'd imagine Kohli going with 4 bowlers, and any injury would've left us shattered by allowing Aussies to score 500+ , which would've killed this series long back. HIs century in Melbourne was icing in the cake, allowed us to fight back. 

Pujara: What to say about this guy? People hate him for being slow. But he is the real wall in this team. Without his blockathon in 4th innings at Sydney and Gabba, we'd not have crossed the line. Real fighter, never give up by holding one end which allows other stroke makers around him to play freely. 2 50s, but playing 200 balls , he tired the bowlers. Great Great effort. 

Ashwin:  GOAT cricketer, always up for a fight with both ball and bat.  If he is fit, he should be in the team wherever we play just because he gives his 100%. Took loads of wickets in Adelaide, and Melbourne. Monster effort with batting on final day of Sydney test which saved this series despite his injury. 

Jaddu: Best all rounder in test cricket for India. His 57 and partnership with Rahane in Melbourne game helped us to sail through that tough period when we were 170-5. That was one gem of the knock. His 4 wickets in Sydney first innings included Labu, that run out of Smith which saved some important runs at the end. This guy must be there in every match because of his all rounded ability to contribute.

Gill: He is a star and will serve the Indian cricket for long time. No nerves whatsoever in his debut series. Took the opportunity with both hands. Gave good opening in almost all the matches. 50 in debut match. 91 in Gabba,  he is equal architect to Pant of this victory and series.

Boom:  This guy bowled with lot of heart and he is the best pacer in current Indian team. 6 wickets in Melbourne, 3 important wickets in Sydney. Bowled with good speed and effective use of bouncers. 

Siraj: What to say about this guy? May be he is not up there in speedometer reading folks, but this guy has lot of heart. He is always running and bowling to take wickets. Bowls in  good area all the time.  Despite his personal tragedy, he gave his full in this debut series. 5 wickets in Melbourne,  and a 7-fer in Gabba is truly rewarding for his effort. 

Rohit:  I know many of us are critical of him, yet he with Gill gave us best opening partnership in both matches. Saw off the new ball, and decent scores at the top helped the other batters immensely.50 in Sydney set the stone for the second innings fightback. 

Shardul: What a way to contribute in his first(almost) test match. He may not have the same skills as other pacers, but boy, this man has big hearts. Typical mumbai attitude. Bowled with decent speeds throughout, got us wickets despite being wayward sometimes. Most importantly his partnership with Sundar was an absolute gem of an innings. I feel for this guy, dont think he will get another chance anytime soon in tests, but a great effort. 

Washington: I was perplexed at his selection but now I know why they selected this guy. Looks so assured while batting. So calm. He can be a top order batter in the team. A great debut 3 wickets including Smith,  60 runs and that good calm batting in the second innings. six off Cummins in second innings in that tough pressure cooker situation is so so good.  Find of the series along with Gill. This guy must always be selected , even he is not in playing 11. 

Vihari: People hate this man for being slow, but he showed what he is made of in Sydney. Despite his hamstring, he toughed it out for almost one and half sessions. 

Nattu: He may not have the speed but he just did what is expected of him. Bowled with good line and length, too the important wickets of Labu and Wade when they are threatening to score huge runs. Despite the absence of a bowler, he with Shardul and Siraj helped us to restrict the Aussies score. Its shame if he doesn't play another test. 

Saha: He may not have contributed with bat or ball, but took some very good catches when Rishabh is injured in Sydney. 

Umesh: He showed why he is still better than others in the bench. Good speed and produces wicket out of nowhere. took 3 fer in Adelaide and bowled decently in Melbourne as well. 

Kohli: Shown in Adelaide, why he is still best batsman. 70+ in first innings, and if he was not run out, would have changed the course of the match. 

Saini: Bowled decent in patches and with good speed in Sydney phatta, and took some important wickets.

Mayank: A decent first innings score of 38 at Gabba, which helped the team cause. Some good catches too. 

Prithvi Shah: Helped by not scoring in Adelaide , and also providing drinks to the team members. 

 

Ravi Shastri: By giving Chak De and Lagaan type speeches to motivate the team. He gets so much brickbats but this guy has something in him to motivate and imbibe fighting ability.

Bharat Arun: Despite losing so many pacers, if we are still competing abroad, this guy must get credit. 

 

 

Overall a very good team effort. This series has been fantastic. 

 

 

 

 

 

[nevada]

Great post! One small correction.

Kohli: Took the flight home after game one.

[sorak]

1 hour ago, urbestfriend said:

Rohit:  I know many of us are critical of him, yet he with Gill gave us best opening partnership in both matches. Saw off the new ball, and decent scores at the top helped the other batters immensely.50 in Sydney set the stone for the second innings fightback. 

 

Also, he has the battle smarts, that on-field cleverness, timely advice to teammates, and general camaraderie. The last one alone is possibly 20% of his contribution to this young and newer team members to express themselves.

Edited January 19, 2021 by sorak
Fixed sentence.

[R!TTER]

1 hour ago, nevada said:

Kohli: Took the flight home after game one.

Didn't he do shopping before returning home, albeit for expected reasons?