India's memorable win at The Gabba not only saw the team script history, but also ensured they toppled Australia in the ICC Test Team Rankings to claim the second spot.
It took 32 years and two months, but the unthinkable was achieved on Tuesday as an injury-ravaged young Indian team defeated Australia by three wickets against all odds in the final Test to take the series 2-1
Needing 69 to win going into the last hour, any other team might have thought of ensuring a draw first. But not this Indian team which is filled with youngsters who believe in backing themselves till the fat lady sings.
Here're 5 young players who made it possible for "Men in Blue":
1. Rishabh Pant- Pant answered all the critics in the best possible way with his bat. The small packet of talent scored 89* off 138 ball in the final innings of the test match ending the home team's 32-year-old unbeaten run at the 'Fortress Gabba'. Rishabh Pant was the man of the hour as his match-winning unbeaten knock took India home with three overs to spare on the final day. He completed the job by showing immense composure and staying till the end.
2. Shardul Thakur- Shardul Thakur and Washington sundar emerged unlikely heroes as they rescued India from 186 for 6. The duo added 123 runs for the 7th wicket by an Indian pair at the Gabba. Sundar got a fifty on his debut and finished with 62 while Shardul got 67 in his first batting innings in Test. Shardul Thakur took a total of 7 wickets
3. Md. Siraj- Mohammed Siraj became the talk of the town in Australia after he picked up his maiden five-wicket haul in the final Test in Brisbane on Monday. Siraj, led the inexperienced Indian bowling attack at the Gabba, produced career-best figures of 5 for 73 to helped India bowl out Australia for 294 in their second innings. He became the leading wicket taker in India vs Australia Test series. Siraj, who lost his father during the tour but decided not to go back home to Hyderabad, was visibly emotional after he picked up the final wicket of Josh Hazlewood to end Australia's innings.
4. Washington sundar-The all-rounder became a nightmare for the Australian team. Sundar who played his first test match against Australia, showed the cricket world what he is capable of.
Be it bowling or batting Washington Sundar was omni-present.
Sundar scored a much needed 62 off 144 balls in the first innings when India was trailing Australia. He took 4 wickets and scored a total of 89 runs in the 4th test.
5. Shubman Gill- Shubman Gill scored a magnificent 91 off 146 balls on Tuesday in the second innings of the fourth Test at Gabba. Gill batted patiently in the first session on Day 5, before cutting loose in the second, slamming Mitchell Starc for 6, 4, 4, 4 as he neared a hundred. He was dismissed in the second session by Nathan Lyon but not before he was targeted by the Australian bowlers who bowled short and into his body. However, the young man backed his skills and played the pull shot with reasonable success.
