India’s Test series came to a close against Australia with a draw in the fourth Test, signalling a 2-1 win for the home nation overall. Although it ended in a stalemate, the final match-up featured an exciting display of batting prowess, with both teams racking up mammoth scores in their first innings, rendering the second innings unplayable in the allotted time.
Of course, an Indian victory always looked likely after they raced into a 2-0 lead in the series, but an impressive fightback by Australia set the stage for a mouth-watering showdown between the two later this year. So what exactly did this series teach us? Here are four lessons we can take into the rest of the year from India’s fourth consecutive triumph in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
India qualifies for the World Test Championship final
The series had a lot riding on it, not just in and of itself but for what it meant for the World Test Championship final this summer. By beating their opponents 2-1, India made it impossible for Sri Lanka to pip them to the post, regardless of how the rest of their series against New Zealand now plays out. As such, it is India who will square off against Australia in the Test showpiece at the Oval in London this June. On the evidence of this series, that should be an encounter for the ages.
Virat Kohli is back
Virat Kohli last hit a Test century for India over three years ago in November 2019. Since that time, he has suffered a barren spell which resulted in much criticism being directed his way, eventually losing him the national captaincy. Over recent months, however, the Indian talisman has returned to form in both ODI and T20 cricket and his outstanding 186 runs from 364 balls against Australia in the fourth Test rubber-stamped his return in Test cricket, too. With a big year ahead for the Indian team, it could not have come at a better time.
Axar Patel has the makings of an excellent all-rounder
By bowling out Travis Head in the fourth Test, Axar Patel became the fastest Indian bowler to reach 50 Test wickets in history. While that’s an extremely impressive achievement on its own, his skills with bat in hand did not go unnoticed, either. Across five innings, Patel scored a total of 264 runs, putting him in third place for India overall, while the fact that he was never bowled out for less than 50 points to him being a safe pair of hands for the national team. Surely, he can now be strongly considered as an all-rounder for the Test Championship match and beyond.
Room for improvement for KS Bharat
After Rishabh Pant suffered a traumatic car crash in December last year, KS Bharat was given the nod to take over wicket-keeping and top-of-the-order batting duties. However, the Test against Australia highlighted in no uncertain terms how his team will sorely miss Pant in the upcoming WTC final. Not only is Pant an accomplished and aggressive batsman to kick things off, but he’s far and away the best keeper India have. KS Bharat will need to step up his game to considerably to fill those sizable shoes come June.
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