4 memorable moments from the Australia vs India Test series

India became the first Asian team to win a Test series in Australia
India became the first Asian team to win a Test series in Australia

India's marathon run in away Test cricket which started in January 2018 came to an end after the Sydney Test as India recorded a historic series win against Australia. Also, they became the first Asian team to achieve this special feat.

Cheteshwar Pujara was the star of the series with three centuries and became the first Indian to score two test centuries in a winning cause in Australia. Jasprit Bumrah, who made his test debut exactly a year ago ended the series on a high. He played a vital role in India's win in the Boxing Day Test in Melbourne.

Rishabh Pant finished the Australia series as the second highest run getter, only behind Pujara. He scored the first century by an Indian wicket keeper in Australia. Overall, it was a series to remember for everyone. So many magical moments were witnessed during the test series, so let's take a look at four such incidents.

#1 Pant vs Paine sledging

It was lovely seeing the battle between Pant and Paine
It was lovely seeing the battle between Pant and Paine

Whenever India plays Australia, there is no shortage of controversies and sledging. 2008 Test series was a fine example as it had the most controversial test both teams ever witnessed.

The new look Virat and co loves the sledging battles as well. The broadcaster allowed the stump mic to take over from the commentators for a while and It made the series even more enjoyable, and Tim Paine and Rishabh Pant played the main role when it came to some banter.

There were some of the funniest comments recorded over the mic by both the wicket keepers. Indian selectors announced the ODI squad just before the boxing day Test. Pant was dropped as they called up the former Indian captain MS Dhoni in place of him and Tim Paine highlighted this point during the MCG Test.

Paine to Finch, talking about Pant:

" Tell you what, big MS is back in the one day squad. Should get this bloke down to Hurricanes. They need a batter."

"Fancy that extend you Aussie holiday, beautiful town Hobart too... get him a water front apartment."

"Have him over for dinner."

"Do you babysit? I can take my wife to the movies while you watch the kids."

When Pant got the chance to give it back, here is what he offered:

Pant to Paine:

" We have got a special guest here. Have you heard the word temporary captain ever. You don't need anything to get him out. Come on lads.

"He loves to talk, that's the only thing he can do. Only talking talking,"

#2 Pujara's two centuries in a winning cause

Pujara scored three centuries in this series
Pujara scored three centuries in this series

India came into this test series with lots of expectations. But when they won the toss and elected to bat first at Adelaide, they were in deep trouble as they lost four quick wickets including that of captain Virat Kohli.

But on the other side, Pujara stood firmly and scored a brilliant century. He had crucial partnerships with Rohit and Ashwin which helped India post a respectable total of 250 runs. This was the turning point of the series as India won the Adelaide Test with a very small margin of 31 runs.

After losing the second Test at Perth, India came to MCG to play the Boxing Day Test. India had a new opening combination which did well but when Pujara came to bat, the wicket was very slow and he played one of his classic and gritty test cricket knock. Many experts appreciated Pujara for having such patience. At a time when the world is going crazy over T20 cricket, Pujara showed everyone what test cricket is all about.

#3 Jasprit Bumrah's slow ball to Shaun Marsh

Jasprit Bumrah was the hero with the ball at MCG
Jasprit Bumrah was the hero with the ball at MCG

Jasprit Bumrah was easily the number one bowler of this series. Australian former captain kept praising him during the series. He also said that Bumrah will be the number one bowler in all three formats in few months time and Bumrah deserved all such accolades as he bowled his heart out during the series.

Now, Lets talk about the special slow ball. It was during the third day of the MCG Test. There was not much happening on the pitch and it was almost time for lunch. Australia were three wickets down and Shaun Marsh was facing the last over before lunch and then from nowhere, Bumrah delivered a slower ball low full toss and Marsh took ages to pick it and missed it completely.

It crashed the pads and the umpire gave him out. Since that, there was no looking back for Bumrah as he completed the innings with six wickets. He won the man of the match award for his nine wickets in that match and India won the test. Later, he reveled that Rohit Sharma gave him the idea to bowl that delivery.

#4 Australia were enforced to follow-on after 31 years at home

Kuldeep Yadav took a five-wicket haul at the SCG Test
Kuldeep Yadav took a five-wicket haul at the SCG Test

India were already up 2-1 in the series after winning the MCG Test as Virat Kohli won the toss and elected to bat first on a flat Sydney wicket. India lost Rahul very early and then came the in-form batsman Pujara.

India then started piling up the runs and declared the innings at 622/7. Both Pujara and Pant scored over 150 runs. This was the second highest score for India in Australia. With 622 runs behind them, Australia began the innings and the first three batsmen gave them a decent start.

Marcus Harris scored a half century before getting out as the fragile Australian middle order failed yet again and the home team got bowled out for 300 runs. Indian captain had the opportunity to enforce the follow-on during the MCG Test but he didn't do it. Though in the Sydney Test, he did so, and it became the first time that Australia were forced to follow-on in a home test since 1988.

This was also the first time they were asked to follow-on anywhere since 2005. India had a golden opportunity to finish the series by winning the final test but the weather played spoil sport, but not before India managed to grab their first test series on Australian soil.

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Edited by Mridul Bhasin