THE RISE OF YOUNGISTAN IN INDIA'S HISTORIC TRIUMPH DOWN UNDER

This time around, it was India who were on the backfoot. Routed at Adelaide, they were to lose their prolific captain for the rest of the three Tests, as Virat Kohli had taken paternity leave...

- RENIN WILBEN

The rise of Youngistan in India’s historic triumph Down Under

Team India pulled off their second successive Test series triumph in Australia follow-ing the record-breaking win at the Gabba. The victory was quite in contrast to the one achieved Down Under in 2018-19 though. The triumph in the previous series was diluted to the forced absence of David Warner and Steve Smith in the opposition camp, as they were serving their ball-tampering bans. India had most of their big guns in Virat Kohli, Jasprit Bumrah and, above all, Cheteshwar Pujara, delivering.

This time around, it was India who were on the backfoot. Routed at Adelaide, they were to lose their prolific captain for the rest of the three Tests, as Virat Kohli had taken paternity leave. To make matters worse, they were also to be without the services of their key strike bowler Mohammed Shami, who hurt himself while batting at Adelaide. As the series progressed, Umesh Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Ravichandran Ashwin and Hanuma Vihari were to join the injured list. How on earth then did India pull off a win for the ages Down Under? The answer lies in their resolve, the shrewdness of skipper Ajinkya Rahane and, above all, the youngsters who put their hands in times of extreme adversity.

As India rejoice in the glory of their famous triumph Down Under, here’s a tribute to the young heroes, who made the unthinkable possible.

1. RISHABH PANT: FEARLESS TO THE CORE