OTD 2019: India win maiden Test series in Australia under Virat Kohli

January 7, 2025, marks the sixth anniversary of India winning their maiden Test series Down Under under the leadership of Virat Kohli. It was a moment to cherish for the Indian unit and their supporters as the winless streak in Australia had finally been broken after five unsuccessful attempts. 

The series opener kicked off with a 31-run win in Adelaide, where Cheteshwar Pujara was the lone warrior in the first innings with a 246-ball 123. The visitors managed to gain a precious lead of 15 runs courtesy of a spirited bowling performance before 70s from Cheteshwar Pujara and Rahane led the way for India in the second innings. Nathon Lyon's six-wicket haul was crucial in limiting India to 307 but another inspired bowling show by the Indian bowlers helped them seize a hard-fought 31-run victory.

Australia drew level in the subsequent game in Perth with a commanding 146-run win. Ishant Sharma (4/41) was the pick of the bowlers in the first innings. Half-centuries from Marcus Harris (70 off 141), Aaron Finch (50 off 105) and Travis Head (58 off 80) took the hosts to 326. Kohli came to the party as he registered 123 in India's response while the second-highest scorer was Ajinkya Rahane (51 off 105). Lyon put in another brilliant show in the series, scalping a fifer to limit India to 283. In the second innings, Usman Khawaja (72 off 213) was the only batter who crossed fifty as Mohammed Shami ripped the hosts apart by claiming a six-for. Set 287 for victory, India capitulated and were bowled out for 140 to bring Australia back into the series. 

Opting to bat first in Melbourne, a gritty 319-ball 106 from Pujara alongisde half-centuries from Kohli (82 off 204) and Rohit (63* off 114) took India to 443/7 declared before Bumrah stole the show with a six-for (6/33) to dismiss Australia for 151. Pat Cummins picked up as many as Bumrah in second innings, with India declaring at 106/8 in a bid to take the lead. They accomplished the mission ultimately as Australia were bowled out for 261, hading a 137-run victory to the tourists to go 1-2 down with a game to go.

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It seemed as if India saved the best for the last as Pujara amassed 193 off 373, narrowly missing out on his fourth double-century, in Sydney. Pant's brisk 159 off 189 helped India post a mammoth 622 on the board before declaring. Australia crawled their way into the game, but were bundled out on 300 with Kuldeep Yadav (5/99) serving as the standout bowler. With rain playing spoilsport on a major chunk of Day 4 and 5, Australia could play only four overs after being asked to follow-on. The match ended in a draw as Pujara ended up with the leading run-getter in the series with 521 runs, claiming the Player of the Series award.