Sydney: India has won the first-ever Test series in Australia since the time it attained independence in 1947 after the final match at the Sydney Cricket Ground ended in a draw on Monday following three rain-truncated days.
Australia 300 & 6/0 (4.0)
vs
India 622/7 dec
1. India have toured Australia since 1947 but never before managed to win a series in the country. But it all changed this time as Virat Kohli led his side to 2-1 series victory after winning the first Test in Adelaide and the third Test in Melbourne.
2. India lost the second Test in Perth after some questionable team selection on a pitch which many thought would assist pace and bounce.
3. With a 2-1 lead, India could not have lost the series and it looked a tall task for Australia to bounce back from the thrashing at the Melbourne Cricket Ground to share honours 2-2.
4. Virat Kohli became the first Indian captain since Kapil Dec in 1986 to enforce the follow-on in Australia. No visiting team had enforced the follow-on in Australia since 1988.
5. India scored 622 for 7 in their first innings and then bowled out Australia for 300 thereby enforcing the follow-on. However persistent drizzle washed out day five thereby keeping the victory margin down to 2-1. Australia were still trailing by 316 runs when the match was called off as a draw.
6. This is by far the greatest achievement of my cricket career, said an elated skipper Virat Kohli after the series win. “Having been to this country three times and to understand what we’ve done has never been done, I feel very proud,” he added.
7. Australia captain Tim Paine admitted his side was comprehensively outplayed by the Indian side. “You have to tip your hat to India. We know how difficult it is winning overseas so congratulations to Virat (Kohli), Ravi (Shastri) and your team, it’s a huge effort and the first time it’s ever been done,” he said.
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