After a humiliating loss in Adelaide in the first Test match against Australia, team India came out stronger than ever in Melbourne, that also without their star players like Ishant Sharma, Rohit Sharma and Mohammed Shami.
Team India overthrew Australia by eight wickets in the second Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. Ajinkya Rahane led the boys by front and showed what the right form of captaincy was by scoring a century in the most crucial time of the game. He was named as the ‘Player of the Match’ along with being the proud recipient and the inaugural winner of the Mullagh Medal.
The proud recipient and the inaugural winner of the Mullagh Medal – #TeamIndia Captain @ajinkyarahane88 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/0cBe2icMzz
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 29, 2020
Making this win more special was a spellbound performance by debutant opener Shubman Gill and with the bowl, Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah feared the opponents. From bat, bowl to fielding, Ravindra Jadeja kept Australia on their toes. Being the senior in the team, Ravichandran Ashwin also took wickets whenever the team needed them.
In the first innings, Australia got all out in 195 and chasing the score, India put a total of 325 on the scoreboard. Defending this score in the second innings, once again Australia got all out at 200 but had a lead of 60 odd runs. Easily with two wickets down, India scored it and won the second Test.
Giving an overall performance, regular captain Virat Kohli, who flew back home for the birth of his first child, tweeted after India’s win to hail Rahane for his captaincy and the amazing efforts of the team. See:
What a win this is, absolutely amazing effort by the whole team. Couldn't be happier for the boys and specially Jinks who led the team to victory amazingly. Onwards and upwards from here 💪🇮🇳
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) December 29, 2020
Have a look at how other Indian cricketers applauded the Indian team on Twitter after their Test win, here:
Fantastic win for the Team India at the MCG. Character and composure shown throughout the game was excellent to watch @bcci
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) December 29, 2020
To win a Test match without Virat, Rohit, Ishant & Shami is a terrific achievement.
Loved the resilience and character shown by the team to put behind the loss in the 1st Test and level the series.
Brilliant win.
Well done TEAM INDIA! 👏🏻 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/64A8Xes8NF— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) December 29, 2020
Well done team India @BCCI. Never underestimate a wounded tiger 😉#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/4kCHgRyW4i
— DK (@DineshKarthik) December 29, 2020
