India Creates History Ended 71-Year Old Drought

It was a historic day for the Indian cricket that ended 71-year old drought under the captaincy of Virat Kohli by winning a Test series in Australia for the first time and. India won the 4-match Test series by 2-1 and became the first Asian country to win a Test series Down Under. However, India will be disappointed as they couldn't finish Test series with a win as the 4th Test ended up drawn after rain washed out 5th and final day at Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG) in Sydney on 7 January 2019.

It was a series where India dominated the Aussies throughout the series. However, Australia bounced back with a win in Perth after losing in Adelaide, but apart from that they never look to win or even drawn the series, it was India who dictates terms. For Virat Kohli It was his by far biggest achievement and it should be as none of the other Indian captains could able to do what this Indian team has done.



It was 12th instance India played a Test series in Australia and 11 previous occasions, either they lost or drawn the series. Take a look at the results of each tour -

1947/48 - Australia (4-0)

1967/68 - Australia (4-0)



1977/78 - Australia (3-2)

1980/81 - Drawn (1-1)

1985/86 - Drawn (0-0)



1991/92 - Australia (4-0)

1999/00 - Australia (3-0)

2003/04 - Drawn (1-1)

2007/08 - Australia (2-1)

2011/12 - Australia (4-0)

2014/15 - Australia (2-0)

2018/19 - INDIA* (2-1)

Team India also became the only 5th visiting side to win a Test series in Australia after England, West Indies, South Africa, and New Zealand. England is the only team who has beaten Australia more than 10 times in their own backyard.

Visiting sides winning series in Australia:

England (13 times)

West Indies (1979/80, 1984/85, 1988/89 & 1992/93)

New Zealand (1985/86)

South Africa (2008/09, 2012/13, 2016/17)

India (2018/19)

It was India's 6th series win in SENA (South Africa, England, New Zealand, Australia) countries where only South Africa is the only remained country India hasn't won a Test series.

Series wins in 'SENA' countries for India:

3-1 in NZ, 1967/68

1-0 in Eng, 1971

2-0 in Eng, 1986

1-0 in Eng, 2007

1-0 in NZ, 2008/09

2-1 in Aus, 2018/19

One can talk about the strength and depth of Australia, who missed Steven Smith and David Warner, but one can't question the hard work and discipline shown by the Indians. The No.1 Test side has shown the great character under the difficult circumstances. Cheteshwar Pujara, India's no.3 batsman looked in form of his life who went on to score 521 runs in 7 innings that helped him win Man of the series. In the first Test where India was in deep trouble at 41/4 and Pujara played a sublime 123-runs knock that actually became the difference between the two sides. He scored 3 centuries in the series and has impressed everyone with his sheer determination.

On the other hand, if Pujara setup the innings it was the bowlers who converted them into results. India's pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammad Shami, and Ishant Sharma looked as lethal as you ever seen. Bumrah has been go to man for Virat who has been by far the best bowler of the series with 21-wickets.

India overcomes their familiar mistakes in batting point of view where they depended on individual performances of Virat Kohli that cost them series lose against South Africa and England. Against Australia they done everything right where batsmen scored runs along with Kohli and bowlers were at their usual best.

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