Seven years ago, Indian cricket etched its name in the history books with a monumental achievement. On this day, the Virat Kohli-led Indian team became the first Asian side to win a Test series on Australian soil, ending a 71-year wait since their first tour in 1947-48.
The Path to a Landmark Victory
The four-match series, which India won 2-1, was a rollercoaster of performances. The tour began with a statement 31-run victory in Adelaide. Australia fought back fiercely, leveling the series with a 146-run win in Perth. Unfazed, India delivered a crushing response in Melbourne, securing a 137-run win to take a decisive 2-1 lead heading into the final Test in Sydney.
At the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), India's dominance was overwhelming. After Kohli won the toss and chose to bat, the team posted a mammoth 622 for 7 declared in their first innings. This massive total allowed them to bowl Australia out for 300 and enforce the follow-on—the first time Australia had been forced to follow-on at home since 1988. Only persistent rain across the final days saved the hosts from a certain defeat, which could have made the series scoreline an emphatic 3-1.
The Architects of History
The series triumph was built on the back of extraordinary individual performances. The undisputed star with the bat was Cheteshwar Pujara, who amassed 521 runs at an average of 74.42 across seven innings, including a majestic 193 in Sydney. His resilience earned him the well-deserved Player of the Series award.
With the ball, Jasprit Bumrah was equally devastating. He finished as the joint-highest wicket-taker of the series with 21 scalps at a stunning average of 17. His new-ball partner, Mohammed Shami, provided crucial support with 16 wickets.
Other key contributions came from young wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant, who announced himself on the world stage with 350 runs at an average of 58.33, including an unbeaten 159 in Sydney. Captain Virat Kohli also chipped in with 282 runs, outscoring Australia's top run-getter, Marcus Harris (258).
A Legacy Forged Down Under
This victory was more than just a series win; it was a paradigm shift. India's pace duo of Bumrah and Shami outperformed Australia's famed attack of Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood, and Mitchell Starc in their own backyard. The triumph proved India could win in the toughest conditions, relying on a complete team performance.
The celebrations in Sydney on January 7, 2019, were not dampened by the rain. This historic win laid the foundation for future success, as India remarkably replicated the feat on their very next tour of Australia. It remains a defining chapter in Indian cricket history, a testament to the team's skill, determination, and ability to conquer the final frontier.
