The Indian head coach, Ravi Shastri thanked PM Narendra Modi for his “kind words” about the Indian team’s memorable Test series against Australia in their own backyard while the Indian skipper, Virat Kohli tweeted the national flag as he too reacted to PMO India’s tweet. While addressing his ‘Mann Ki Baat’, PM Modi praised the Indian team’s grit and determination and the way players made a comeback to clinch a series win in Australia, after “initial hiccups”.
Tweeting about the same, PM Modi wrote: “This month, we got good news from the cricket pitch. After initial hiccups, the Indian team bounced back gloriously and won the series in Australia. Our team’s hard work and teamwork was inspiring.”
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Thanking PM Modi, Shastri said that his kind words will further motivate the team to perform even better under pressure, no matter how difficult the circumstances. “Thank you, Sir. Your kind words will further strengthen #TeamIndia and India’s resolve to perform under pressure and in trying circumstances. Jai Hind!” Shastri wrote, in response to a tweet put out by the PMO India.
Thank you, Sir. Your kind words will further strengthen #TeamIndia and 🇮🇳’s resolve to perform under pressure and in trying circumstances. Jai Hind ! https://t.co/yQQN9nh8Ab
— Ravi Shastri (@RaviShastriOfc) January 31, 2021
— Virat Kohli (@imVkohli) January 31, 2021
BCCI president Sourav Ganguly, who recently got discharged from Kolkata hospital on Sunday after his second heart operation, also expressed his gratitude to PM Modi for recognizing Team India’s historic series win Down Under.
Sincere thanks and gratitude to Honourable Prime minister for recognising the performance of the Indian cricket team in australia..
— Sourav Ganguly (@SGanguly99) January 31, 2021
Thank you Shri Narendra Modi Ji for your recognition and kind words 🙏
We will continue striviving to do our best to make the nation proud 🇮🇳— cheteshwar pujara (@cheteshwar1) January 31, 2021
Thank you for your words of encouragement Shri @narendramodi Ji 🙏 It’s always an honour to represent our country, we hope to continue inspiring more Indians as we move forward 🇮🇳 https://t.co/8vxfrU3N4v
— Ajinkya Rahane (@ajinkyarahane88) January 31, 2021
Thank you for your kind words sir. 🇮🇳 https://t.co/m6whAG0GAc
— Washington Sundar (@Sundarwashi5) January 31, 2021
Thank you so much 🙏🏻 to Honourable Prime minister for appreciating the performance of the Indian cricket team in australia. Keep supporting us and we are proud to be a part of Indian Cricket Team🇮🇳🇮🇳 #TeamIndia #MannKiBaat https://t.co/bkKQ1X12SS
— Mohammad Shami (@MdShami11) January 31, 2021
The four-match Test series against Australia started with a disappointing loss within three days for India after they scored their lowest-ever total in Test cricket in the second innings. However, Indian players rose to the challenge in the following games and played with great intent, in both departments.
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Ajinkya Rahane, who led the team in Virat Kohli’s absence, led by example scoring a century in the Boxing-day Test as India defeated Australia by eight wickets in the second match. With odds stacked against them in the third Test, Hanuma Vihari and Ravichandran Ashwin both battled injuries, showing great resilience to save the match, by playing out close to 50 overs on the final day.
In the final Test, Team India played without several main players who were ruled out due to injuries. However, they managed to pull off a win in the Gabba Test as India retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after overcoming all the hurdles.
