Victory – The Greatest Ever!

Fantastic scenes at the WACA, Perth were seen as the Indians got into a raucous huddle, the national flag waving high above spirited shoulders. What a fantastic advertisement for Test cricket . India beat the favourites inside four days, and with it the greatest Indian win in Test history was recorded. The 72 run victory in the end came as a vindication of the belief that this Indian team could beat Australia. A victory they were robbed of in Sydney.

India become the first side to beat Australia in Australia for over four years, since their win in Adelaide in 2003. And the first to beat Australia in Perth for ten years.

Its has been a gripping, emotional four days of cricket from both sides, sessions swinging one way, then the other, but not once has the quality of cricket been anything but endearing. Some great batting, some exceptional bowling, some stunners held and some gone begging. India can feel very proud of this win, coming here as underdogs and expected by many to struggle on what was labeled a fiery Perth pitch.

But as at Trent Bridge and Johannesburg, their seamers excelled and set up this victory. Not to forget the contributions from VVS Laxman, Sachin Tendulkar, Rahul Dravid, and a few cameos here and there. Sehwag's two wickets , Irfan Pathan's stellar performance, coming into the side and scoring 74 runs, starting off twice at the dying stages of the day, and five wickets. RP Singh's first-innings bowling, the excellent display from young Ishant Sharma. All helped in halting Australia's quest for a record 17th consecutive win. Like India did in 2001