India pulled off a record run-chase after the test win in a thrilling final session to hand Australia their first defeat at Brisbane’s Gabba ground since 1988, this raises the questions on team Pakistan fitness problems. India clinched the four-Test series 2-1 on Tuesday.
Wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant starred with a swashbuckling 89 not out. The injury-depleted visitors overhauled the 328-run target with three overs to go, winning by three wickets.
Australia had not been beaten at the Gabba since falling to Viv Richards’ all-conquering West Indies side in November 1988.
India’s 329 for seven also smashed the 69-year-old record for the biggest run-chase at the Gabba. The record was set by Australia who scored 236 for seven to beat the West Indies in 1951.
“It really means a lot to us. I don’t know how to describe this victory but I’m really proud of all the boys,” said India’s interim skipper Ajinkya Rahane.
“They showed character, attitude, especially after the Adelaide Test match. We decided we’re going to fight really hard […] and we just wanted to give our best.”
Man-of-the-match Pant, who played a similar innings in the drawn Sydney Test, blasted his 89 from 138 balls with nine fours and a six.
His innings followed an equally impressive knock from 21-year-old Shubman Gill, who made 91 at the top of the order earlier in the day.
India played without key players with amazing mental & physical fitness
The series win was a remarkable achievement. Why? India was bowled out for their lowest Test score of 36 to lose the first Test in Adelaide. It bounced back to win the second in Melbourne.
The visitors were ravaged by injuries and captain Virat Kohli’s absence for paternity leave. It then batted throughout the final day to draw the third Test in Sydney.
Now Pakistanis are asking, will our team ever be able to put up such a show?
Pakistan’s flop performance in New Zealand
How can we forget how the Pakistani team caused trouble during its New Zealand tour earlier this year?
The national team came under heavy criticism recently for its performance during the tour. Pakistan lost the Twenty20 series 2-1 and went down heavily in both Tests. The Pakistan Cricket Board (PCB) blamed COVID-19 as one of the ‘biggest contributing factors‘ to the Pakistan team’s ‘dismal’ performances.
We only know that instead of making excuses and finding themselves in useless controversies, PCB and the Pakistani cricket team need to focus on the game more. A message for Sarfaraz Ahmed and Kamran Akmal: Show some fitness like India’s Virat Kohli.
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