Congratulations poured in for the Indian cricket team after their historic 2-1 victory in the Border-Gavaskar trophy on Monday.
The Indian team led by Virat Kohli became the first Asian team to defeat Australia in a Test series on Australian soil after the final match of the four-match series was washed out due to continuous drizzle.
The victory is also the first time in 71 years since India started touring Australia.
President Ram Nath Kovind was among the first to congratulate the Indian team terming the win as an accomplishment of “one of Indian cricket’s final frontiers”.
“Congratulations to @imVkohli and his team for reaching one of Indian cricket’s final frontiers and winning a test series in Australia for the first time. Gritty batting, marvellous fast bowling and a fine team effort has done us proud. Let’s make a habit of it!” wrote the President.
Congratulations to @imVkohli and his team for reaching one of Indian cricket’s final frontiers and winning a test series in Australia for the first time. Gritty batting, marvellous fast bowling and a fine team effort has done us proud. Let’s make a habit of it! #PresidentKovind
— President of India (@rashtrapatibhvn) January 7, 2019
In his congratulatory message, Vice-President M Venkaiah Naidu wrote, “Hearty congratulations to Indian cricket team for scripting a historic maiden series win against Australia in Australia. It indeed was a team effort ably led by Virat Kohli. #INDvAUS.”
Hearty congratulations to Indian cricket team for scripting a historic maiden series win against Australia in Australia. It indeed was a team effort ably led by Virat Kohli. #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/bSy6KvzZ9Y
— VicePresidentOfIndia (@VPSecretariat) January 7, 2019
West Bengal Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, too, greeted the Indian team for the historic victory.
“Congratulations. Today, the Indian cricket team wins its first ever Test series in Australia. This is a historic achievement. We are proud of you,” she wrote on Twitter.
Congratulations. Today, the Indian cricket team wins its first ever Test series in Australia. This is a historic achievement. We are proud of you
— Mamata Banerjee (@MamataOfficial) January 7, 2019
Mahindra Group chairman Anand Mahindra explained in a tweet why the victory is emotionally significant.
“It’s hard for people of my generation to explain to youngsters how emotionally significant this victory is. For decades we have struggled with the perception that we rarely win test series on foreign soil, & never down under. Goodbye History, hello Future!” he wrote.
It’s hard for people of my generation to explain to youngsters how emotionally significant this victory is. For decades we have struggled with the perception that we rarely win test series on foreign soil, & never down under. Goodbye History, hello Future! https://t.co/ntYeZ8fDae
— anand mahindra (@anandmahindra) January 7, 2019
Cricket commentator Harsha Bhogle described how it felt for Indian fans who have been watching India’s matches in Australia.
“If like me you have been coming to Australia since 1991 with no hope of winning a series, then this is a huge moment. India are now the first Asian team to win a series in Australia. And it feels wonderful to be able to say it,” he wrote on Twitter.
If like me you have been coming to Australia since 1991 with no hope of winning a series, then this is a huge moment. India are now the first Asian team to win a series in Australia. And it feels wonderful to be able to say it.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 7, 2019
IPL chairman Rajeev Shukla congratulated Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara and others for the win.
“Congratulations @BCCI on the Historic Test Series win in Australia. The entire nation is proud of the incredible achievement by the @imVkohli lead side. @cheteshwar1 @Jaspritbumrah93 and the entire team were magnificent throughout the series #AUSvIND,” he posted on Twitter.
Congratulations @BCCI on the Historic Test Series win in Australia. The entire nation is proud of the incredible achievement by the @imVkohli lead side. @cheteshwar1 @Jaspritbumrah93 and the entire team were magnificent throughout the series #AUSvIND https://t.co/9CWGkRNcfO
— Rajeev Shukla (@ShuklaRajiv) January 7, 2019
Former BCCI president Anurag Thakur said that “cricket fans will remember this conquest for a long time to come”.
Cricket fans will remember this conquest for a long time to come!
Our champions have created history by their grit and passion!
Proud of you boys ! #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/00AGcZV67b— Anurag Thakur (@ianuragthakur) January 7, 2019
In the last Test at Sydney, India scored 622 for 7 in their first innings and then bowled out Australia for 300 thereby enforcing the follow-on. Rain washed out day five keeping the victory margin down to 2-1.
Australia were reduced to 236-6 at stumps on day three when bad light had stopped play, and they were bowled out for 300 runs in their first innings on day four, when Kuldeep Yadav (5-99) picked his second five-wicket haul in Test cricket.
India had an unassailable 2-1 series lead after winning the first Test in Adelaide by 31 runs and the third Test in Melbourne by 137 runs. Australia had won the second Test in Perth by 146 runs.
READ MORE: India becomes first Asian team to defeat Australia in Test series Down Under
Cheteshwar Pujara was the toast of the series and was adjudged both Man of the Match as well as Man of the Series. With 521 runs, he was the highest run getter in the series followed by Rishabh Pant (350) and skipper Virat Kohli (282). Pujara slammed 3 centuries, with the highest being 193, in the 7 innings he played.
Among the bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah stood out with 21 wickets in 8 innings – the joint highest wicket-taker in the series with Nathan Lyon.
Praising his boys, Kohli said, “I’ve never been more proud to be part of a team than this one right here. They make the captain look good.”
“This (win) has to be at the top of the pile!” he said when asked if this was his best achievement so far.