On January 7, 2019, Indian cricket reached a historic milestone as Virat Kohli’s team became the first Asian side to win a Test series in Australia. The victory came amidst challenging weather, as rain washed out the last day of the fourth Test in Sydney, preventing a potential 3-1 series win. Nevertheless, the series displayed India’s impressive performance, forcing Australia to follow on for the first time at home since 1988.
The stars of this remarkable achievement were Cheteshwar Pujara, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami, and Ishant Sharma. They led the charge against the Australian team, securing wins in the first, third, and fourth Tests. The absence of key Australian players Steve Smith and David Warner, who were both suspended, gave India an advantage, but Australia’s bowling lineup, featuring Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon, remained formidable. Despite this, India’s batsmen shone, with Pujara, Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, and Mayank Agarwal putting on strong performances.
Pujara was a standout player, scoring an impressive 521 runs in four matches at an average of 74.42, which included three centuries and one fifty. Following him were Rishabh Pant with 350 runs and Virat Kohli with 282 runs. While the batsmen excelled against Australia’s strong bowling attack, it was the Indian fast bowlers who truly made their mark.
Jasprit Bumrah emerged as a key player, claiming 21 wickets at an average of just 17.00, including one five-wicket haul. Although Nathan Lyon matched Bumrah’s wicket total, his overall impact was not as significant. Shami and Ishant also contributed with 16 and 11 wickets, respectively. Together, the pace attack worked collectively, creating significant pressure on the Australian batting lineup. Additionally, Ravindra Jadeja, R. Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, and Umesh Yadav provided valuable support, claiming several wickets throughout the series.
In total, Indian bowlers took 51 wickets in the four Tests, with Australia being bowled out in seven of the eight innings. During the final match in Sydney, India was in control and had enforced the follow-on, but rain interrupted play, leading to a drawn game after just four overs on the last day.
“This is definitely my biggest achievement in cricket,” Kohli shared during the post-match presentation. “Winning the 2011 World Cup was special, but this feels different. This series win gives us an identity and something to be proud of.”
Kohli praised Cheteshwar Pujara and the Indian bowlers for their outstanding contributions throughout the series. He specifically highlighted Pujara’s dedication and growth as a player since the last series in Australia. “Pujara has been exceptional. He works hard on his game and is one of the nicest guys around. We’re all really happy for him.”
He also lauded the bowlers’ performance, mentioning their fitness and preparation. “The way they’ve dominated not just here but also in England and South Africa is remarkable. They are setting a benchmark, and they deserve to be looked up to for a long time,” he added.
With this victory, Indian cricket’s landscape transformed, marking a new era of success and resilience.
