Winning a Test match in Australia is perhaps the most difficult mountain to climb in modern-day cricket. India has scaled that peak and a little bit more as they stand on the brink of an unprecedented series victory Down Under.
Going into the third Test match at Melbourne, India had a lot of questions to answer and so did the team management. The openers were constantly failing to contribute and the team combination was, for the umpteenth time, wrong in retrospect.
But as the dust settles on the Boxing Day Test match, India seems to have answered a lot of the pressing questions posed at them following the loss at Perth. Thus, the Indian camp was in a celebratory mood and posted photos on the social media to mark the momentous occasion.
India's fast bowlers have toiled away throughout the year and Virat Kohli made sure his social media paid a fitting tribute to them.
What a win!! Proud to be part of this unit . Onto Sydney now. Jai hind ?????? pic.twitter.com/DsW8WXRMGj
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) December 30, 2018
Man of the match and the man ruling every Indian heart following his memorable bowling performance, Jasprit Bumrah compared success to consistency.
Success isn't always about greatness. It's about consistency.?
— Jasprit bumrah (@Jaspritbumrah93) December 30, 2018
A dream win for us and what a way to end the year! ??
Truly exceptional.#AUSvsIND pic.twitter.com/6Kaiy46v4O
Bumrah's pace-mate Mohammed Shami was once again unlucky to have not picked more wickets than he did, but he too was jubilant.
The pace triplet at The G. This was such a historic Test. Proud feeling to be a part of this group. Record breaking 130+ wickets in 2018 #TeamIndia @circleofcricket @ESPNcricinfo pic.twitter.com/wYreTY3XtT
— Mohammad Shami (@MdShami11) December 30, 2018
Debutant Mayank Agarwal made a huge difference at the top of the order and made the nation proud.
Firsts are always special. In Australia, against Australia. On Boxing Day. The debut couldn't have been any sweeter. Thank you for the overwhelming welcome and support. ?? pic.twitter.com/3nHuxVlvdc
— Mayank Agarwal (@mayankcricket) December 30, 2018
Rohit Sharma made a triumphant return to the Test fold as he scored an unbeaten half-century in the first innings to help India bat Australia out of the game.
Great win here for the Team. Special effort by the lads, the one that will remembered for a long time @BCCI #TeamIndia pic.twitter.com/TyVglQY7qO
— Rohit Sharma (@ImRo45) December 30, 2018
Although Ravichandran Ashwin did not play the Test match, he posted the same picture and had a special message for his teammate, Bumrah comparing him to Malcolm Marshall.
Not an easy place to come and win and every test win here needs to be cherished like there is no tomorrow. Special mention to @imVkohli @cheteshwar1 and our very own Malcom M @Jaspritbumrah93 ? pic.twitter.com/jIB8oJ0eMG
— Ashwin Ravichandran (@ashwinravi99) December 30, 2018
Hardik Pandya also joined in on the celebrations and he too singled out Bumrah for special praise.
The Man of the Moment and the best in the business - BOOM ? @Jaspritbumrah93 ?
— hardik pandya (@hardikpandya7) December 30, 2018
Amazing performance by this guy here and the entire team ??? pic.twitter.com/8LMYGgTL43
Legendary cricketer Sachin Tendulkar also took to Twitter to congratulate the team and even he did not shy away from singling out India's quick sensation, Bumrah.
Incredible effort by #TeamIndia to take a 2-1 lead, especially @Jaspritbumrah93 who has played an instrumental role in this win. He has gone from strength to strength in all formats of the game. Definitely one of the best in the world today. #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/vweoHd0nEE
— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) December 30, 2018
VVS Laxman, who knows a thing or two about performing against Australia, could not hide his excitement and pointed out the contextual significance of the victory at MCG.
37 years 10 months ago was the last time India won a test at the MCG, none of the players from either sides were born. This win is one to savour & cherish for a long time and a perfect end to 2018 for Team India. Each player can be very proud of their contribution to this win?
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) December 30, 2018
India will go into the fourth Test with a 2-1 lead. It will be played in Sydney from January 3, 2019.