Test Victories over Australia which changed the mindset of Indian Cricket

#3 The Wonder Down Under- First series win in Australia

India won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2-1

Team India, the No.1 side in the world, had overseas assignments calling at the beginning of 2018. With quality batsmen and an arguably the best pace bowling attack in the world at the moment, India were expected to emerge victorious on the foreign soil.

However, dismal outings in South Africa and England, especially with the bat, served as a serious alarm for the players and the think tank. The first Test at Adelaide saw the team reeling at 41-4, bringing back the ghosts of the previous tours. However, a determined Cheteshwar Pujara held things together, playing a gem of an innings for his 123. Another gritty knock from him, coupled by the bowlers' contribution ensured that India go 1-0 up in the series.

Post a dismal outing at Perth, India bounced back again, with yet another hundred from Pujara. However, the main blows were inflicted by Jasprit Bumrah, who tore apart the Australian batting line up with his fiery bowling, ending with figures of 9/86 including a six-wicket haul. India took a 2-1 lead after beating them by 137 runs.

India were poised to win the series 3-1, if not for the bad weather, with yet another century from Pujara. Nevertheless, the side won 2-1, handing them over their first Test series win Down Under in 71 years.

While it is too early to measure a visible change in mindset, the win has served as a statement to the world, about the guts and grits of the Indian side to compete as well as win abroad. Pujara and Bumrah have also been regarded as the true Test aesthetics in an era of T20 fanatics.