On this day in 2021 Cricket: How India Ended Australia’s 32-Year Gabba Dominance in Thrilling Test Finale

One of the most thrilling Test series in modern cricket history reached a dramatic climax when India chased down 328 on the final day of the decisive Brisbane Test, sealing a memorable 2-1 series victory over Australia. The triumph, achieved against the odds, is now etched in cricketing folklore and stands as one of India’s greatest overseas Test wins.

The stage was Brisbane’s iconic Gabba, long considered Australia’s impregnable fortress - a venue where the hosts had not suffered a Test defeat since 1988. India’s win not only ended that remarkable 32-year unbeaten streak but also became the highest successful run chase at the Gabba in Test cricket, underlining the scale of the achievement.

From the outset, the India vs Australia Test series tested India’s depth, resilience, and character. The visitors suffered a heavy defeat in the opening Test at Adelaide and were further weakened when their premier batter, Virat Kohli, returned home for personal reasons ahead of the remaining matches. Injuries continued to plague the squad, with several frontline bowlers ruled out at crucial stages. Yet, adversity appeared to strengthen India’s resolve rather than diminish it.

The final Test itself unfolded like a rollercoaster. Australia posted competitive totals across both innings, but it was India’s bowling attack - led brilliantly by Mohammed Siraj - that shifted the momentum. Playing just his third Test, Siraj delivered a career-defining performance, claiming a maiden five-wicket haul to bowl Australia out for 294. His spell proved pivotal in keeping India’s historic chase within reach.

Chasing a daunting target of 328 on the final day, India began cautiously. Early wickets meant the pressure mounted quickly, but a crucial partnership between Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara brought stability to the innings. Gill’s fluent 91 was an exhibition of timing, confidence, and composure - his highest score of the tour - and it laid the foundation for the chase. Pujara, renowned for his defensive grit, absorbed relentless pressure and multiple body blows to compile a resolute 56, ensuring India remained firmly in contention.

With the equation still challenging, Rishabh Pant stepped up and how. Pant’s unbeaten 89 was a blend of audacity and calculated aggression; he shifted gears at key moments, pulling India back from the brink and injecting urgency into the chase. Every boundary was met with rising hope, and when Pant steered the winning run to the boundary, it was not just a victory for the team but a statement of intent for Indian cricket on foreign soil.

This win resonated beyond the raw numbers. Australia’s bowling attack spearheaded by Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, and Nathan Lyon is considered among the best of this generation, yet the Indian batsmen negotiated and eventually overcame their threats with poise.

Cricket fans and experts alike hailed the performance as one of India’s greatest Test victories. It was a celebration of bench strength, mental toughness, and the fearless brand of cricket that has come to define this Indian team. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy series will be remembered not only for the historic result but also for the extraordinary manner in which it was achieved — through courage, grit, and an unshakeable team ethos.