From getting all out for 36 and losing a game from winning position to winning a game and drawing another from the jaws of defeat despite losing 3 first choice bowlers to serious injuries and the captain for personal commitment. They had 3 injuries in this game..1️⃣
..as well. They had to bat about 140 overs to save the test in which they had to battle rascism. Thanks to Covid, they were treated like prisoners. What they ate, where they ate -- everything was scrutinized. The world looked against them. The gods looked against them.. 2️⃣
Despite all these obstacles, the men stood firm. The ones who were fit took blows. At the start of Day 5, we had 2 unfit players. One of them was the tainted keeper who seemed to always find the wrong stuff come his way yet the team believed in him. 3️⃣
He was sent into bat when India had lost their capt who bailed them out in the last test. He responded by being careful. He defended bcz team wanted him too. He failed, he edges a catch to the keeper. This is where gods wake up and say they are finally with him and India. 4️⃣
Catch is dropped. He realizes it isn't a time to play unnaturally. He decides to trust himself this time. He scores 97. He plays by the sword, gets lucky once in the process and finally dies. Though, not before he instills belief inside his teammates.. 5️⃣
So much so that Jadeja (the one who has fractured finger) is seen wearing pads. On the other end was Pujara. The one who is known for doing the dirty work without taking enough rewards. Did he really care for rewards? No he din't. Like a soldier, he kept taking blows..6️⃣
He made sure he is the wall to protect the fire named Pant. He too attacked bad balls in his own way. He too won his own battle against his nemisis Cummins when he smacked 3 4s off his over and like yet another day, he perished to a peach. India still had 3 hours to deal with..7️⃣
In the process, India had another injured player. The one who joined him also had a history of injuries. World was nervous. Indian fans were nervous but the two in the middle weren't feeling anything as such. It was like these 2 were just focused on the ball. 8️⃣
It was as if their life depended on this innings. It didn't matter if one's hamstring injury severity would rule him out for 5 months or if the other would find it hard to even sit after taking blows. Ball by ball they kept eating the second that turned into hour, 2 hrs..9️⃣
... 3 hrs.. The summit of dealing the strongest bowling unit for 8 hrs was dealt. The warriors smiled amidst the pain to fight another test to claim the honours of the series that for all of us has already been claimed by their fighting spirit.
I hope come top in the last test. Because attimes even the strongest need results they deserve. For what India have shown despite losing player via injuries, it would be cruel luck to see India not come out victorious in the series.
Also, I don't know how many times have a visiting team defeated a full strength top ranked team at home. To defeat them and snatch a win itself makes this series of India the greatest series in the history of Indian cricket.
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