Team India retained the Border-Gavaskar series with a resounding 6-wicket win over Australia on the 3rd day of the 2nd Test match played at Arun Jaitley Stadium, New Delhi on 19 February 2023. Cheteshwar Pujara hit the winning runs with a boundary in his 100th Test match.
Australia looked decent with a lead of 62 runs at the start of the 3rd day. Ravichandran Ashwin started the rot for the visitors getting rid of Travis Head with a good catch by KS Bharat. Ashwin then struck to dismiss Steve Smith leaving Australia in trouble. Ravindra Jadeja rattled the Australian batting line-up getting quick wickets and ended with figures of 7 for 42 to bowl them out for 113 runs in the 2nd innings.
The Indian team lost an early wicket to KL Rahul cheaply again. Rohit Sharma showed intent putting pressure on the Australian bowlers and keeping the scoreboard ticking. He was run out with a mix-up with Pujara. Kohli looked impressive before being dismissed by Todd Murphy. Shreyas Iyer kept the pressure on Australian bowlers as he was caught at the boundary.
KS Bharat kept his calm along with Pujara and helped Team India register 6 wicket win to take an unassailable lead of 2-0. For his 7 for 42 in the second innings, Ravindra Jadeja was named the player of the match award.
Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss on the first day and decided to bat first. David Warner and Usman Khawaja were off to a decent start before Shami grabbed the breakthrough dismissing Warner. Khawaja and Labuschagne showed intent before Ashwin struck twice in the same over getting the wickets of Labuschagne and Smith to change the momentum of the game.
Usman Khawaja looked impressive before a stunning catch by KL Rahul ended his innings. It was a disciplined bowling effort to bowl out Australia for 263 runs in the first outing.
The host started on a positive note putting on 46 runs for the opening wicket before losing quick wickets. A brilliant 114 runs partnership for the 8th wicket helped Men in Blue reduce the lead to just 1.
Here is how Twitterati reacted to the win of Team India:
History – India becomes the first team to retain the BGT for 4th consecutive time.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 19, 2023
What an incredible performance, you have been truly amazing with your magical spell @imjadeja Huge respect ✊ 🇮🇳#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/OPRzchc160
— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) February 19, 2023
The reason behind India's home dominance is simple.
Our quicks out-bowl their quicks.
Our spinners out-bowl their spinners.
Our spinners out-bat their batters 😉 #INDvAUS #BGT2023— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) February 19, 2023
Ashwin again 😂👌. Look at Virat Kohli and Steve Smith #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/OsOCQseqwJ
— Nitish Tiwary (@TiwaryT21821046) February 19, 2023
Coach has to answer to this, clearly under prepared for first test. Then sweeping plan in second? Watch Dravid instructing his batsmen, play straight.. focus in the V. Play straight play straight play straight. Australia, play across the line with variable bounce? #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/feN9hdh7F2
— Mull (@jmull38) February 19, 2023
World Test Championship Final, We Are Coming …#INDvAUS || #BGT2023 pic.twitter.com/jB5mSzuXX3
— Sir BoiesX 🕯 (@BoiesX45) February 19, 2023
australia will be very disappointed with the way this series is going, their batting has let them down heavily, despite there not being any real demons in both these pitches. hard to see a way out of this for them.#INDvAUS #INDvsAUS
— paarth ﾒ𝟶 (@bluntIITian) February 19, 2023
Another fantastic win 2-0 lead over Australia,retaining the BGT trophy 🏆. Superb team effort. #INDvAUS
— Arnab Mukherjee (@ArnabMu89036875) February 19, 2023
— MINI BUS 2022 (@minibus2022) February 19, 2023
What a way to promote 3 Day Test Cricket!!
Well played Australia 👏@BCCI please invite @CricketAus for Ranji Trophy 😌 #INDvAUS #TestCricket
— TheVolcanicCold (@TheColdVolcano) February 19, 2023
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