With Virat Kohli back in the country for personal duties, Rohit Sharma yet to join the squad and Mohammad Shami ruled out, India’s chances of making a comeback in the Boxing Day Test against Australia after that “36 all out" loss at the Adelaide Oval looked slim.
Critics and fans alike hammered the visiting team for bowing down to Australians and 4-0 whitewash was perhaps on the cards or that’s what former English captain Michael Vaughan (along with many others) had predicted following the first Test debacle.
“Told ya … India are going to get hammered in the Test Series … #AUSvIND #4-0," Vaughan tweeted on December 19 during India’s shocking batting collapse.
Told ya … India are going to get hammered in the Test Series … #AUSvIND #4-0— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) December 19, 2020
Also Read: Ajinkya Rahane is Internet’s New Hero as India Script Historic Boxing Day Test Win Against Australia
But with Ajinkya Rahane leading the side for the Boxing Day Test at the iconic MCG, the tables were turned and how. Fighting against all the odds and criticism that India were subjected to, Rahane lead from the front, scoring a stunning century (112) that helped the side hold a commanding position and gain a crucial lead against Australia in the match.
With the likes of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Ravichandran Ashwin, and Ravindra Jadeja complimenting Rahane’s batting heroics with compelling bowling spells, India scripted a historic win on the fourth day of the second Test with an 8-wicket victory over Australia- something that was widely celebrated on Indian Twitter.
Cricket fans also went back to Vaughan’s tweet that stuck out like a sore thumb after India levelled the series 1-1 to “politely" remind him about his wrong prediction.
Hello brother pic.twitter.com/vI3xtihpM7— Ranga Ram fan ♂️ (@Suryasubramany1) December 29, 2020
Shubman Gill (35*) and Ajinkya Rahane (27*) take to victory by eight wickets in the Boxing Day Test at MCG The series is now leveled 1-1.
#AUSvINDये हम जीत गए
— Himanshu Jha (@Himansh78059472) December 29, 2020
U were saying something mate pic.twitter.com/qRU0AkbCrU— Dheeraj (@Dheera050192) December 29, 2020
How r u feeling Mr Vaughan after this humiliation? What??? U r used to this kinda humiliation!!! Great . So what is ur new plan for humiliation, I mean new prediction pic.twitter.com/VCSiQLTQD5— Hitesh Vyas (@hitesh2sm) December 29, 2020
Telling you again pic.twitter.com/YVUnzdhlWO— aashutosh vyas (@aashutoshvyas92) December 29, 2020
Sir, any comments? @MichaelVaughan #INDvsAUS #AusvIndia https://t.co/V9UYvhPO01— Soumit Ghosh (@ghoshsoumit) December 29, 2020
Still 0-4 prediction for India or changed @MichaelVaughan?Just asking sir as i think you can unlook reality also just to go against Indian team..#INDvAUS #BoxingDayTest https://t.co/D0hWOuPpZV— Pravar Gupta (@i_pravar08) December 29, 2020
Two minutes silence for this man @MichaelVaughan #INDvAUS #BoxingDayTest @MCG https://t.co/1X8JnurDJn— Akhil jose (@Akhiljose12) December 29, 2020
IND VS AUS 1-1 . Wanna change this sir @MichaelVaughan https://t.co/xvoCCw17WP— koshal jain (@koshaljain2) December 29, 2020
Hope you watched this test match @MichaelVaughan.Sleep is the best medicine for any problem related to mind.Sleep tight and believe in god https://t.co/vLEwomokk5— Chandan _sharma (@Champ_chandan0) December 29, 2020
To Vaughan’s credit, the former cricketer-turned-commentator on Monday admitted that he loved being proven wrong by the “underdog" team.
Humble pie for Breakfast … !!! Love the under dog proving people wrong … also shows once again if Steve Smith struggles with the Bat this Aussie Batting team is very average … @ajinkyarahane88 captaincy has been magnificent btw … #OnOn #AUSvIND— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) December 28, 2020
Indian captain Ajinkya Rahane was awarded Player of the Match for his match-winning performance. India are set to meet the Aussies for the third Test on January 7 at the SCG.
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