Twitter Reactions: India bury Adelaide ghosts and make a stunning comeback to level the series at MCG

“There is no chance India will comeback.” “With no Kohli and Shami, India are stressed.” “India will lose 4-0 without Kohli.” These were the words from some of the experts and the former cricketers after team India registered its lowest ever Test total of 36 in Adelaide. But try telling that to this Indian team. Yes, there were concerns. But the team addressed it and made the required changes to make a stunning comeback in Melbourne.

Not that this performance was flawless. But the way the visitors have come out and played with confidence under Ajinkya Rahane‘s captaincy has to be admired. It wasn’t easy though for them having lost the toss at the MCG where the average first innings score in last five Tests was around 440. Well, this was a rejuvenated bowling attack with its reserves also more than capable of delivering when needed.

And that is what the Indian bowlers did. Led by Jasprit Bumrah and Ravi Ashwin, they skittled Australia for just 195 in the first innings. India then batted well thanks to Rahane’s excellent century and took a more than decent lead of 131 runs. The third day was deemed the best to bat on the MCG pitch with the ball not doing much and many felt it is a great chance for the hosts to bat big in their second innings.

Then again, the bowlers bowled tight lines not giving away easy runs and despite Umesh Yadav getting injured, the reduced four-man attack delivered when it mattered the most. At one stage, it seemed as if India will win by an innings when Australia were reduced to 99/6. Cameron Green and Pat Cummins though had other ideas as they played out more than an hour to keep India at bay.

India stay patient on 4th morning to wrap up Australia

With only a lead of two runs, Australia would’ve hoped for their overnight duo to score as many as they can. Both the batsmen tried their best, to be honest, but Indian bowlers were relentless and didn’t give away easy runs. India didn’t get a wicket for the most part of the first hour. However, once the new ball arrive, Jasprit Bumrah surprised Pat Cummins with a well-directed bouncer and dismissed him.

Green though was looking in absolute control and once Cummins went back, he started to open up a little to frustrate India even more. The youngster looked calm and composed only to once again fall in the short ball trap like he did in Adelaide. Siraj dropped one short to eke out a pull and the batsman did just that with Ravindra Jadeja pouching the catch with a well-timed jump at mid-wicket.

He scored 45 good runs off a huge 146 deliveries and his wicket officially handed India the match. But then Australia’s ‘never give up’ attitude came to the fore as India had to wait for 13 more overs to wipe out the last two wickets. Siraj nipped out Nathan Lyon while Ravi Ashwin ended Josh Hazlewood’s resistance to bundled Australia out for 200 runs.

India chase 70 without much fuss

The chase of 70 should’ve sent shivers down the Indian fans’ spines but Adelaide’s 36 all-out was still fresh in the minds. Mayank Agarwal and Cheteshwar Pujara’s ‘s early dismissal increased those fears. With India at 19/2, the skipper Ajinkya Rahane came out while Shubman Gill had already impressed with his confident shots by then.

The duo blunted the relentless Australian attack and churned out boundaries consistently. Both the played with the much talked about ‘intent’ to take India home in the post lunch session in the 16th over. While Rahane continued his job from the first innings to remain unbeaten on 27, Gill looked in very good touch during his 35* as India won the match by eight wickets to level the series.

Here’s how Twitter reacted: