Virat Kohli and team India create history.

After 71 years India wins their first series on Australian soil. Virat Kohli says “This win is right top on his achievements, something to be proud of, and will give us a different identity. I have never been more proud of being part of a team, than this one right here.”

The play for day five was called off due to a drizzle, though not intense, and bad light without a single ball being bowled. Indian team found spending time doing photoshoots in the morning, and unexpected scenes in Sydney on day five.

Australian captain Tim Paine congratulated Virat Kohli and Ravi Shastri on the biggest achievement of their career as captains and coaches. He said “Disappointed, definitely over the last two Tests. We had our chances in Adelaide, in Perth, I thought we played some good cricket, but in Melbourne and Sydney, we’ve been outplayed.”

Cheteshwar Pujara wins the player of the match and player of the series awards for his outstanding performance. He scored 521 runs in the series at an average of 74.42 which includes 3 tons. He said “We’ve been working hard to win a series overseas, and winning in Australia has never been easy. And really pleased with my contribution.”

On day four India enforced the follow-on and it is the first time in 31 years Australia was asked to follow on at home. England was the last team to do so in 1988, also at Sydney. During those 31 years Australia played 172 tests at home and didn’t follow on any occasion, this is very impressive. The last time they followed on anywhere in the world is at Trent Bridge in 2005 again by the English team. The only one instance before Sydney in the last 30 years.

The 322-run lead that India has taken is their best in Australia and second-highest against Australia. The best is the 400 run lead India registered at Eden Gardens in 1998 and 292 run lead in the 3^rd Test at Melbourne stands fourth overall. This means India’s top 2 leads against Australia came in this series.

Kuldeep Yadav’s 5/99 ensures Australia bundled out for 300 on day four which is second best by a visiting left-arm spinner in Australia. Kuldeep Yadav picked up 3/71 on day three and claimed two more wickets on day four giving just another 28 runs to the Australian batsmen.

Sydney shows it’s time for Australia to think about their batting options in Test before the upcoming two-Test series against Sri Lanka. One of the problems Australia facing is the confidence of their batsmen, how do they try to boost without the company of Steven Smith and David Warner. Will be good for Australia as soon as the pair returns from the ban, surely they get a call for the Ashes squad.

The return of Smith and Warner impacts the other batsmen in the squad currently, surely not Usman Khawaja who is currently the best, and Marcus Harris, one more fine knock against Sri Lanka might help him to retain the spot. Between Shaun Marsh, Travis Head, and Peter Handscomb, who have made 525 runs at 27.63 with three fifties against India, would have to work hard to seal their place in the playing eleven. The top four picks for the Ashes would be likely Warner and Harris opening the innings, Khawaja at number three, and Smith at four. Then who can fill number five and six spots would be the question.

Can Australia fix this before Ashes?