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Virat Kohli’s team brings back memories of victory at MCG in 1981

[caption id="attachment_38670" align="aligncenter" width="580"] Sourav Ganguly and Mohammed Azharuddin is very happy with India's fightback at Bengaluru. Image Source: XtraTime[/caption] Debasis Sen, Bengaluru: India pulled off an incredible 75 runs win over Australia to level the 4 test series 1-1 here in Bengaluru. Virat Kohli and his team successfully defended the 187 runs lead with Ravichandran Ashwin picking 6 wickets in the second innings. Former captains Sourav Ganguly and Mohammad Azharuddin heaped praises on the fight back shown by Virat and his team. Former India captain Mohammad Azharuddin was present at the stadium on Tuesday to witness the incredible win by Kohli and his team. “It was an incredible win for Virat and his boys. They showed great character after losing the test match at Pune. Key for winning this test match was they batted well in second innings,” said Azharuddin to xtratime.in Azhar, is in Bangalore to attend BCCI’s function tomorrow. On being asked about Steve Smith’s controversial gesture towards dressing room on taking DRS, the former India captain said, “It is not allowed under the present rule. I think it was his (Smith’s) sudden reaction in the heat of the moment. He is also under too much pressure. But a rule is a rule and you have to accept it.” Former India captain Sourav Ganguly, who lead India to that historic test win against Steve Waugh;s team in Kolkata rated the win as special. According to Ganguly, “It was a special win. The credit should go to the entire team and everyone played their role to perfection.” But the former captain was circumspect about the wickets. He felt Virat won a very important toss at Chinnaswamy. “The toss is becoming very important for both the teams. Virat won an important toss in Bengaluru.” Sourav also heaped high praises on Umesh Yadav. According to Sourav, “Umesh Yadav was the peak of the bowlers in both innings; obviously he did not get rewarded.” The former India captain stood behind Steve Smith, regarding his controversial signal towards dressing room to take DRS. “It is a high tension series. It does happen when you are playing out to win. But I feel it shouldn’t be blown out of proportion,” said Sourav on Smith. This was not the first time that India defended such a low second innings total against the Aussies. Back in 1981-82 series, Sunil Gavaskar’s team pulled off an incredible win against the Aussies at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. On that occasion, India had to defend a paltry score of 142 runs against the likes of Greg Chappell, Alan Border, John Dyson and others. Kapil Dev bowled a match winning spell in the second innings to bowl out the Aussies out for only 83 runs. India emerged victorious by 59 runs.  The Haryana Hurricane got 5 wickets for 28 runs while Gundappa Vishwanath top scored for India in the first innings with 114 runs. Kapil, who is here to do commentary heaped high praises on Kohli and his team, particularly the fast bowlers Umesh and Ishant.