IND vs AUS: After Gabba draw, Team India will head into the Boxing Day Test high on confidence

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IND vs AUS: Team India will head into the Boxing Day Test, starting on December 26, with high confidence. The draw at the Gabba was not just due to the elements.

Some Indian cricketers were also in their elements, with bat and ball, though sadists and critics will still find fault with the Indian team, skipper Rohit Sharma and coach Gautam Gambhir. Also Read: Team India force Australia to Declaration which hasn't been done in 74 Years

Rain Did Play Spoilsport at Gabba

Rain is beyond human control and if at all there was a turning point in the Brisbane Test, it was the way the Indian batters - top and tail, in portions, which clicked. This will give the Indian team plenty of confidence.

On the other hand, after the customary Christmas celebrations in Melbourne on December 25, India will go into the last two Tests with their tail up. The tail wagged in Brisbane and the tale has changed. Indeed, the story is of how the team fought and made life miserable for Pat Cummins and his team.

Plenty of positives for Team India

This was a great chance for the hosts to win the Gabba Test and destroy the Indian morale. Yet, full credit to KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja and the lower order where Jasprit Bumrah and Akash Deep were a revelation. For that matter, even Nitish Reddy did chip in. The way Indian bowlers rattled the Australian batting line up in the second innings on the final day will give them another boost heading into the next game.

From here on, the last two Tests are all about mind games, mental attrition and war games. For the Aussies, who would have thought the momentum would swing their way after the Pink Ball Test win in Adelaide, there is worry.

Challenges for Australia

Josh Hazlewood is out and Scott Boland comes in. At the same time, Cummins himself was exposed. The old chant when you need a wicket, call Cummins is not true now. To have been smashed for runs by Bumrah and Akash Deep is a clear sign they do not fear him.

Cummins tried to hurl the short-pitched stuff against Bumrah and was hammered for a six. That one shot speaks volumes about the confidence from Bumrah. The smile will stay on his face.

Kohli-Rohit should come good in the remainder of the series

For those who were trolling Virat Kohli, skipper Rohit and Gambhir on Tuesday after India averted the follow-on, ignore it. One has to be thick-skinned when dealing with trolls and social media. They are senseless and do not follow cricket, some bonafide media included. If the follow-on had happened, India would have collapsed.

Each run scored by Rahul, Jadeja and the tail is worth gold. These knocks have defined character and changed the complexion of the BGT Series. For sure, Rohit can practice and hope he can do well in the middle order. If he flung his gloves in disgust after a dismal dismissal in Brisbane, it tells you he is angry with himself. He can breathe freely and focus on leading India, minus stress.

As for Kohli, he can try all the shots at nets and throwdowns. Those who will say he is useless can continue to do so. His runs will come. Did he not score on the first Test? All the theories on his outside-the-off-stump weakness and his being a sitting duck will not stop.

Kohli has romanced Melbourne and if he can do it again, do not be surprised. Form is temporary, class is permanent. And for those who have written Rohit and Kohli should retire, wait till the BGT Series is over. The are two more Tests and these two giants are not of scrap value despite what stats may say. Respect pedigree, they will rebound.