The series and match came down to the last day as a battered and bruised India kept their nerve to clinch series on Australian soil.
Day 5 started with all three results possible. India started the day cautiously as Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma added 14 runs in 8 overs. Sharma went early as he edged one from Pat Cummins to Tim Paine. Young Gill displayed his array of shots and made 91 runs. For the second wicket, Gill and Pujara added 114 runs to bring stability and laid a strong foundation.
Lyon undone Gill. At that point, India still needed 180 runs in the last 40 overs. Captain Rahane fell after just adding 24 but his intent gave a clear indication that India is going for it. The dynamic Rishabh Pant played his natural game from the word go and took apart this much-vaunted Australian attack. Captain Tim Paine tried different bowling combinations and field placements but nothing worked. He kept on finding boundaries as well as run well between the wickets.
Pat Cummins bolwed his heart out as he has been doing for last two years. He picked up four wickets for 55 in 25 overs. Nathan Lyon toiled hard for 31 overs and gave him 85 runs.
This is Australia’s first defeat at the Gabba in more than three decades. Furthermore, this win gives India a very good chance of making it to the final of the World Test Championship in June.
