Agency :
Stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane led India to a dominant eight-wicket win over Australia in the second Test Tuesday, levelling the series 1-1 and capping an extraordinary turnaround after their record collapse in the opening game.
Rahane, deputising during Virat Kohli’s paternity leave, hit an unbeaten 27 in Melbourne – after a century in the first innings – as India reached the meagre target of 70 for the loss of two wickets.
It capped a remarkable comeback for an Indian side desperate to make amends after losing in Adelaide by eight wickets when they posted their lowest ever score of 36 and were widely criticised at home.
And they bounced back without superstar and batting mainstay Kohli, who has returned home for the birth of his first child.
“Really proud of all the players,” said Rahane. “I want to give credit to the debutants (Mohammed) Siraj and (Shubman) Gill, the character they showed after the Adelaide loss was great to see.
“Character was important for us.”
Kohli, watching at home in India, tweeted his congratulations.
“What a win this is, absolutely amazing effort by the whole team,” he said.
“Couldn’t be happier for the boys and specially Jinks (Rahane) who led the team to victory amazingly.”
Under the mild-mannered Rahane, India battled hard to dismiss Australia for 195 in the first innings and then posted 326 in reply.
Australia resumed their second innings on day four on 133 for six with a two-run lead, and their hopes resting on 21-year-old rookie all-rounder Cameron Green. He made 45 as they battled to 200 before tail-ender Josh Hazlewood was the last man to fall before lunch.
Siraj took 3-37 with Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravi Ashwin grabbing two each.
Rahane and Gill (35) then saw India home, but not before some nervous moments.
Mitchell Starc got a nick from the out-of-form Mayank Agarwal (5), which Tim Paine caught, then Pat Cummins snared Cheteshwar Pujara for three, edged to Green at gully. It left India on 19 for two before they regained their composure to seal the win.
The third Test is due to start on January 7 in Sydney.
Stand-in captain Ajinkya Rahane led India to a dominant eight-wicket win over Australia in the second Test Tuesday, levelling the series 1-1 and capping an extraordinary turnaround after their record collapse in the opening game.
Rahane, deputising during Virat Kohli’s paternity leave, hit an unbeaten 27 in Melbourne – after a century in the first innings – as India reached the meagre target of 70 for the loss of two wickets.
It capped a remarkable comeback for an Indian side desperate to make amends after losing in Adelaide by eight wickets when they posted their lowest ever score of 36 and were widely criticised at home.
And they bounced back without superstar and batting mainstay Kohli, who has returned home for the birth of his first child.
“Really proud of all the players,” said Rahane. “I want to give credit to the debutants (Mohammed) Siraj and (Shubman) Gill, the character they showed after the Adelaide loss was great to see.
“Character was important for us.”
Kohli, watching at home in India, tweeted his congratulations.
“What a win this is, absolutely amazing effort by the whole team,” he said.
“Couldn’t be happier for the boys and specially Jinks (Rahane) who led the team to victory amazingly.”
Under the mild-mannered Rahane, India battled hard to dismiss Australia for 195 in the first innings and then posted 326 in reply.
Australia resumed their second innings on day four on 133 for six with a two-run lead, and their hopes resting on 21-year-old rookie all-rounder Cameron Green. He made 45 as they battled to 200 before tail-ender Josh Hazlewood was the last man to fall before lunch.
Siraj took 3-37 with Jasprit Bumrah, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravi Ashwin grabbing two each.
Rahane and Gill (35) then saw India home, but not before some nervous moments.
Mitchell Starc got a nick from the out-of-form Mayank Agarwal (5), which Tim Paine caught, then Pat Cummins snared Cheteshwar Pujara for three, edged to Green at gully. It left India on 19 for two before they regained their composure to seal the win.
The third Test is due to start on January 7 in Sydney.
