4th Test at the Gabba, Brisbane, 15 - 19 Jan 2021

[harsh.ag]

Test cricket is great, they need to play more of these. Every week there should be a Test match somewhere.

Yes, flem, great point

 

[harsh.ag]

The Indian batting was not too far off from the strongest line up.

Rohit
Agarwal/Gill
Pujara
Kohli
Rahane
Pant
Jadeja
Ashwin

Instead we had

Rohit
Gill
Pujara
Rahane
Agarwal
Pant
Sundar

Main difference is lack of Kohli, and Sundar and Thakur replacing Jadeja and Ashwin, (both of whom are proven batsmen in times of need). But Sundar really filled in well.

So if India had their full line up, result could have only been better. Would have had to chase SMALLER totals to start with!! Jadeja would not have missed 1.5 Tests.

So I believe if Indian batsmen were not so injured in sydney and say had Jadeja not dislocated his thumb, they may have gone for the target there as well. Ashwin and Vihari knew they had no one left behind them with Jadeja injured and that they too were batting with limitations hence they opted to play for draw. If even Jadeja was still available, team would have at least given it a go at the end. And if India had won that, could have easily shut up shop in Brisbane instead and drawn it to secure 2-1 win.

And the only time team failed was in 1st Test with Pink Ball. Otherwise, looked competitive throughout.

Man, it's so difficult to figure out the alternative ways this series could have gone. They could have lost wickets in Sydney had Vihari not been injured and they were going for the total. Pant getting dropped early enroute to 97 was a big factor.

Wrt Gill, he now looks part of the strongest XI but was nowhere near the XI before this tour. It was a lot more nervy during the tour as Shaw and Mayank decided their technique was going to be dogshit for some reason.

 

[stephen]

Honestly of all the series we have played against India, this is the one that I really don't mind losing so much. I'm not sure whether it's me going soft thinking that a billion supporters deserve some joy after the year of **** that was 2020, or whether it's the fairytale story of it all, whether it's the fact that the only player anyone could really dislike on their side was at home with his new baby or whether I'm just going daft in my old age. But I really, genuinely think that not only did India deserve this win, but I'm genuinely happy for them for it. The side that played the better cricket over the course of four matches won the series, and in the most dramatic fashion possible.

 

[Arachnodouche]

It's the only series in the last 20 years that has made me wish I was fifteen again so I could give the game a real go.

 

[Daemon]

Man, it's so difficult to figure out the alternative ways this series could have gone

Yeah I was thinking about this too and the biggest factor has to be the drop catches. So many of them were potentially match defining.

Paine in Adelaide
Rahane in Melbourne
Pant in Sydney
Smith in Brisbane
Labu nearly like every game

The series could have legitimately gone 3-0 either ways, it was that ****ing close.

 

[Arachnodouche]

You know what really gets me in that "India celebrate win for the ages" video montage? Watching Natarajan hug Puhara and Pant as he comes in. The guy's probably never going to be in the side again so there's a bittersweet element to it but **** me what a story to tell till the day he dies.

I think Greg Baum called this group The Irrepressibles. It's a great name tbh and I'm kinda bummed they'll never play together again.

 

[Senile Sentry]

That Pant boundary at the end made me squeal and dance and roar loud since WC 2011 Dhoni six. As a longterm cricket fan, for over 30 years, there are very few moments in that where I lost myself - and with age I have mellowed down considerably when it comes down to celebrating such wins. This was one of those moments which just let you go of everything and just be in the moment with a **** for the world around you.

Thanks India for providing such a moment. I do not think I will ever experience such a moment again in my life. A series win in Eng or NZ or SA, while absolutely special, won't come close to this.

 

[Shri]

why the **** didnt thakur get injured instead of saini ffs

****dul thakur going at 5 an over

would have been in a great position if this ****er didn't play and we picked kuldeep instead

 

[jimmy101]

That Pant boundary at the end made me squeal and dance and roar loud since WC 2011 Dhoni six. As a longterm cricket fan, for over 30 years, there are very few moments in that where I lost myself - and with age I have mellowed down considerably when it comes down to celebrating such wins. This was one of those moments which just let you go of everything and just be in the moment with a **** for the world around you.

Thanks India for providing such a moment. I do not think I will ever experience such a moment again in my life. A series win in Eng or NZ or SA, while absolutely special, won't come close to this.

It was a real roller-coaster ride for me too. It had been a very long time since I felt nervous watching a cricket match unfold. I just couldn't walk away from it. Such an amazing day's play. There was a moment where I felt a little bit annoyed/disappointed when it seemed that after coming so far, India were just gonna bat for the draw, but when Pant & Sundar got going deep in that final session it was truly amazing.

 

[Smudge49]

Honestly of all the series we have played against India, this is the one that I really don't mind losing so much. I'm not sure whether it's me going soft thinking that a billion supporters deserve some joy after the year of **** that was 2020, or whether it's the fairytale story of it all, whether it's the fact that the only player anyone could really dislike on their side was at home with his new baby or whether I'm just going daft in my old age. But I really, genuinely think that not only did India deserve this win, but I'm genuinely happy for them for it. The side that played the better cricket over the course of four matches won the series, and in the most dramatic fashion possible.

Agree with the part that India deserved to win for the way they performed with a depleted side, but surely this has to be the worst flogging any Australian side has received on home turf in recent memory.

If Cricket Australia could go for Argus review for a 2011 home Ashes defeat in a series where England as a better side won and won comfortably, then this defeat probably requires far more attention because a full strength Australian side got beaten by an Indian team, with good amount of players that probably won't even make India' second XI in normal circumstances.

 

[sunilz]

Series bowling average
Aus Pacers 26.85
Ind Pacers 31. 59

Aus Spinners 59.11
Ind spinners 27.00

Meanwhile ?

 

[Son Of Coco]

Cant forget that this is the same captain under whom Australia had their best *away Ashes performance in decades. Something about India confounds them a little imo because they're one of the only teams in the world who are used to playing relatively attritional cricket.

edit: edited to add away

Yeah, India stood up against the same sort of bouncer barrage that usually sees England wilt and fade away to nothing on Australian shores. Instead, by not backing down they exposed the fact our plan B wasn't that great.

 

[Shri]

No pain, no gain: Cheteshwar Pujara shares what his family was going through while watching the fiercest battle

Cheteshwar Pujara’s body is full of mementos of the fierce Gabba battle, and his courage has made him a cricketing hero

indianexpress.com

Cheteshwar Pujara’s daughter Aditi babbled out her two-year-old wisdom. “When he comes home, I will kiss where he is hurt, he will be fine.”

He is amused by his daughter’s home remedy. “That’s what I do to her when she falls, so she believes that a kiss can heal every wound,” he says indulgently.

aww

“I mostly got hit from one end and that too against (Pat) Cummins. There was this crack on the pitch around the short- of-length spot from where the ball would just take off. Cummins has the skill to make the ball rear up from there and make it follow you. In case I took my hand up to defend it, there was a risk that I would glove the ball. Considering the match situation and how we couldn’t afford to lose wickets, I decided to let the ball hit my body,” he says.

The Australians are giving him their ultimate compliment; they are calling him a ‘F@#*@#g Legend’. The equivalent honour back home – Saurashtra ko Saavaj (Lion of Saurashtra) – too is being bestowed on him by the Gujarati media.

 

[cnerd123]

For those criticizing Che Pu's short ball technique

“I mostly got hit from one end and that too against (Pat) Cummins. There was this crack on the pitch around the short- of-length spot from where the ball would just take off. Cummins has the skill to make the ball rear up from there and make it follow you. In case I took my hand up to defend it, there was a risk that I would glove the ball. Considering the match situation and how we couldn’t afford to lose wickets, I decided to let the ball hit my body,” Pujara says.

You play for so long, you get used to getting hit, says Cheteshwar Pujara

Pujara explains why he purposely let the ball hit his body as Pat Cummins made things difficult for him in the middle with his short deliveries.

www.indiatvnews.com

ffs Shri

 

[Shri]

Wrt Gill, he now looks part of the strongest XI but was nowhere near the XI before this tour. It was a lot more nervy during the tour as Shaw and Mayank decided their technique was going to be dog**** for some reason.

Gill will have a horror series in England when he goes there the first time, I guarantee it. Looks susceptible to outswingers already given how he is not really tight outside off and his instinct to be aggressive. Hopefully kohli can help him out in the nets when the time comes.

 

[sunilz]

Gill will have a horror series in England when he goes there the first time, I guarantee it. Looks susceptible to outswingers already given how he is not really tight outside off and his instinct to be aggressive. Hopefully kohli can help him out in the nets when the time comes.

He should take help from Dravid.
Kohli helped Mayank in this tour. We all saw how it turned out.

Kohli's method of playing swing is to meet the ball early and not allowing it to swing. Whereas traditional way to play swing is to play as late as possible.

 

[harsh.ag]

ChePu took the body blows and didn't mind looking foolish so as to not get caught off the gloves.

What. A. Guy.

 

[Son Of Coco]

Gill will have a horror series in England when he goes there the first time, I guarantee it. Looks susceptible to outswingers already given how he is not really tight outside off and his instinct to be aggressive. Hopefully kohli can help him out in the nets when the time comes.

Was thinking the same given his footwork. Nothing to say it can't be addressed between now and then though I guess.

 

[honestbharani]

Gill will have a horror series in England when he goes there the first time, I guarantee it.

This just means he is gonna tear it up and score 500+, btw. England fans can be mad @ @Shri

 

[cnerd123]

Gill will have a horror series in England when he goes there the first time, I guarantee it. Looks susceptible to outswingers already given how he is not really tight outside off and his instinct to be aggressive. Hopefully kohli can help him out in the nets when the time comes.

all he really needs to do is be comfortable leaving balls he can't get to the pitch of. Kohli is a good example, I think Gill can manage. He's good in defense against balls on the stumps which is key.