Monday mornings are rarely pleasant, so it was a very welcome change to wake up to India’s victory against Australia today (I’m talking about late-risers, here).
It wasn’t just another win, India defeated Australia in their backyard, which as we know is even rarer than pleasant Monday mornings.
Thanks to the Aussies and their Australianism, we got to witness a beautiful display of Test cricket where no one was in a mood to give up.
Everyone is acknowledging that the win was important, but I feel ‘important’ doesn’t cover how crucial it was. We should be freaking out over it, here’s why:
1. This was the first time India won an opening Test in Australia, in the history of the game.
Many captains, many players, many generations dreamt of this, and we are the ones who get to witness it. Lucky, yes?
2. This was India’s first Test victory Down Under in one decade.
Last being the 2008 Perth Test win, after the controversial Monkeygate incident. India ended the hosts’ 16-match winning streak but ended up going down 2-1 in the series.
3. This was also the first time in 10 years that any team from the subcontinent defeated Australia in Australia.
10 years, not a single win.
4. With this victory, Virat Kohli becomes the first Asian captain with Test wins in Australia, England, and South Africa! Rahul Dravid and MS Dhoni won Tests as captains in England and South Africa but not in Australia.
Didn’t want to make this about personal records but this one was unmissable.
5. It’s only the second time India have won three Tests outside the subcontinent in a calendar year.
Getting better on foreign soil, one match at a time.
6. This is also the visitors’ first victory in Adelaide since 2003.
Took us a wait of 15 long years to win in Adelaide; sure the victory is special.
7. Lastly, this is only our 6th Test win in Australia in 70 years. Others being:
Melbourne (1977), Sydney (1978), Melbourne (1981), Adelaide (2003), Perth (2008)