A tale of two countries

 The India-Australia 2020-21 cricket series brought out the best and the worst that is in Indian team. When India ignominiously lost the first test scoring the lowest runs it has ever made in an innings, many former Australian skippers including Ricky Ponting, Michael Clarke, Mark Waugh and Michael Vaughan wrote off any prospects for the visiting Indian team in subsequent test matches. India redeemed itself winning one test and famously drawing another before the final test at the Gabba, Brisbane.

The pitch and the field at the Gabba are made for the Aussies. The home team is rarely defeated there. Even forcing a draw there is considered a feat for any visiting team. The dice was loaded heavily against the Indian cricketers for another reason. The Indian team fielded at the Gabba was probably the most inexperienced ever. The Australian team, though, was one of the most experienced. Lyon, the spinner, had played in 99 test matches prior to this test.

Washington Sundar and Natarajan were playing their first test. Other Indian players also had played in a few tests only. Rishabh Pant played a swashbuckling knock taking his chances. Other batsmen were more cautious. When Pant played the winning shot (a nonchalant boundary), the home team was crestfallen. The Gabba was conquered by an alien team. The Indian underdogs retained the Gavaskar - Border trophy.

Even as the series was on, many contrasting events were taking place off the field. One player (Virat Kohli) left the team after the first test to be present when his daughter was born. Mohammed Siraj could not be present for his father's funeral at Hyderabad. Natarajan is yet to see his one-month old child.

Victory at the Gabba will remain in Indian minds for a long time to come. The pulsating win came in the 97th over of the day. If the Australians had contained the Indian thrust for three more overs, they would have preserved their Gabba glory. But the cool and composed captain, Rahane, and the newly capped cricket warriors ensured that Aussies bit the dust at Brisbane. Cricket is not the same any longer.