In Case You Missed It: India's greatest Test moment, England's away triumph, and 2020's best performances
Our best content from the week gone by
ESPNcricinfo staff
24-Jan-2021
Avengers assemble: how many superheroes does it take to change a Test result? • Matt Roberts/Getty Images
It was a week most of India will never forget. An underdog India team, missing key batsmen, having lost all their front-line bowlers to injury, reduced to a skeleton crew of debutants, took on the might of a full-strength Australia at their "fortress", the Gabba in Brisbane, where the hosts hadn't lost in 32 years… and won, in the last hour of the last day of the last Test of the series. It's the stuff fairy tales are made of, and there were plenty to go around - deep dive into our coverage of what is being called India's greatest Test triumph.
Elsewhere England won their fourth successive away Test, against Sri Lanka in Galle, and the ESPNcricinfo awards recognised the best performances in cricket in 2020. Catch up on a delirious week of cricket here.
India have created the greatest moment in their Test history
As sports fans, it's days like these you live for, says Sambit Bal. Mark Nicholas says the the Gabba result has done justice to the game we love. Osman Samiuddin finds that without the long shadow cast by captain Virat Kohli, India's motley crew each found a moment to shine and that made this India likeable.
As sports fans, it's days like these you live for, says Sambit Bal. Mark Nicholas says the the Gabba result has done justice to the game we love. Osman Samiuddin finds that without the long shadow cast by captain Virat Kohli, India's motley crew each found a moment to shine and that made this India likeable.
'I knew it was the end of my series; whatever impact I'd have, it had to be then'
As one half of India's stoic resistance in the dying overs of the third Test, Hanuma Vihari relives his incredible SCG rearguard with R Ashwin, when he batted with an injured leg he couldn't feel and a mind focused on playing out six balls at a time
As one half of India's stoic resistance in the dying overs of the third Test, Hanuma Vihari relives his incredible SCG rearguard with R Ashwin, when he batted with an injured leg he couldn't feel and a mind focused on playing out six balls at a time
'Miya bhai' Siraj lives his father's dream to the fullest
Sidharth Monga follows Mohammad Siraj's journey, whose father passed away soon after the Indian team landed in Australia, and couldn't see his son play in Tests. 'Every wicket I was taking I was dedicating it to dad,' says Siraj, who had a bittersweet homecoming. Nagraj Gollapudi has that story.
Sidharth Monga follows Mohammad Siraj's journey, whose father passed away soon after the Indian team landed in Australia, and couldn't see his son play in Tests. 'Every wicket I was taking I was dedicating it to dad,' says Siraj, who had a bittersweet homecoming. Nagraj Gollapudi has that story.
T Natarajan and Washington Sundar: a tale of friendship and freakish Test debuts
Both faced hardships and injuries along the way, but emerged as heroes. Deivarayan Muthu says to those who have seen Sundar from close quarters - like his sister and his childhood coach - his success at the Gabba was inevitable.
Both faced hardships and injuries along the way, but emerged as heroes. Deivarayan Muthu says to those who have seen Sundar from close quarters - like his sister and his childhood coach - his success at the Gabba was inevitable.
Gill, Pujara, Pant showcase India's batting riches
Also in sharp focus, and in the absence of their best batsman, Kohli, was India depth in batting, embodied by Gill, Pujara and Pant. All of them approach batting differently and have thrived without the fear of consequences, says Monga.
Also in sharp focus, and in the absence of their best batsman, Kohli, was India depth in batting, embodied by Gill, Pujara and Pant. All of them approach batting differently and have thrived without the fear of consequences, says Monga.
Australia left with difficult questions after a humbling at home
The side could face a turning point with some experienced names having not delivered, says Daniel Brettig.
The side could face a turning point with some experienced names having not delivered, says Daniel Brettig.
Jonny Bairstow, Dan Lawrence seal emphatic seven-wicket win on final morning
The see-sawing first Test between England and Sri Lanka first went the way of the tourists, then the hosts, but England prevailed in the end. With the side now winning four successive away Tests for the first time in more than 60 years, England fans have never had it better, says George Dobell.
The see-sawing first Test between England and Sri Lanka first went the way of the tourists, then the hosts, but England prevailed in the end. With the side now winning four successive away Tests for the first time in more than 60 years, England fans have never had it better, says George Dobell.
Matt Roller says the success of spinners Dom Bess and Jack Leach, who picked up 14 wickets between them in Galle, finally vindicates their club Somerset's decision to prepare helpful pitches for spinners. Elsewhere Andrew Fidel Fernando, Andrew Miller and Alan Gardner debated if England vs Sri Lanka contests are underrated, on Rabbit Holes.
ESPNcricinfo Awards 2020
The 14th edition of the awards recognised the best performances of the year - Ajinkya Rahane's series-defining century against Australia, Josh Hazlewood's razing of India in Adelaide, Blessing Muzarabani's superhero turn versus Pakistan, and Alyssa Healy's 39-ball 75 in the Women's T20 World Cup final among them.
The 14th edition of the awards recognised the best performances of the year - Ajinkya Rahane's series-defining century against Australia, Josh Hazlewood's razing of India in Adelaide, Blessing Muzarabani's superhero turn versus Pakistan, and Alyssa Healy's 39-ball 75 in the Women's T20 World Cup final among them.
Wiaan Mulder sheds weight and carries the load for South Africa
The allrounder, who has battled multiple injuries to get back to international cricket, is part of the South Africa squad that is preparing to take on Pakistan. Now South Africa hope he can take on a Kallis-like role in the side.
The allrounder, who has battled multiple injuries to get back to international cricket, is part of the South Africa squad that is preparing to take on Pakistan. Now South Africa hope he can take on a Kallis-like role in the side.
'It's dark, but there's light at the end of the tunnel' - Sarah Taylor
Retired England women wicketkeeper Taylor, who has joined forces with Sussex Cricket to help those suffering mental health issues spoke to Valkerie Baynes about living with anxiety, learning to manage it, and reaching out to those who need help.
Retired England women wicketkeeper Taylor, who has joined forces with Sussex Cricket to help those suffering mental health issues spoke to Valkerie Baynes about living with anxiety, learning to manage it, and reaching out to those who need help.
Mignon du Preez: 'I've got this new hunger to get back on the field again'
Ahead of their ongoing series against Pakistan women, the former South Africa women's captain spoke to Annesha Ghosh about cricket's return, growing in the WBBL and why she thinks South Africa could be a world-beating side soon.
Ahead of their ongoing series against Pakistan women, the former South Africa women's captain spoke to Annesha Ghosh about cricket's return, growing in the WBBL and why she thinks South Africa could be a world-beating side soon.
January 20 was the last date for IPL franchises to release their lists of retained and released players ahead of the February auctions and there were not a few surprises. Here's how the Royal Challengers Bangalore, the Sunrisers Hyderabad, the Mumbai Indians and the Kolkata Knight Riders stack up before the auctions, and who the Kings XI Punjab, the Chennai Super Kings, the Rajasthan Royals and the Delhi Capitals have kept and let go of.