On this day in 2021, the Indian cricket team recorded one of the greatest wins in Test history. Playing with a second-string squad, the visitors stunned Australia at the iconic Gabba Stadium of Brisbane. The Indian team ended the 32-year unbeaten streak of the Aussies by defeating a full-strength side and winning the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series.
Shedding some light on the Test match which happened from January 15 to 19, Australia posted a 369-run total on the board, riding on a century from Marnus Labuschagne. In reply, fifties from Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur helped India score 338 runs in their first innings.
Steven Smith’s fifty ensured that India received a target of 328 runs to win the match. A 91 run innings from Shubman Gill and an unbeaten 89 from Rishabh Pant helped India script a memorable victory at a venue where the Aussies had been so dominant.
As mentioned ahead, India did not have their full-strength squad for the Gabba Test. Ajinkya Rahane led the team in the absence of Virat Kohli. It may shock a few fans that two players who featured in India’s playing XI for the 2021 Gabba Test match have not played another game after that. Here is a list of the two names:
1. Navdeep Saini is yet to play another Test after the Gabba win against Australia
Navdeep Saini was one of the pacers present in the Indian playing Xi for that Test match. Saini made his debut in the third match of the series at the Sydney Cricket Ground. The Gabba Test was his second game. He remained wicketless and scored five runs in the match. He is yet to play the 3rd match of his career.
2. T Natarajan
T Natarajan is another player from India’s Gabba Test winning team who has not played any matches after that game. Natarajan made his debut in that match. The left-arm fast bowler took a three-wicket haul in the first innings.
