IND vs AUS: India force Australia to Declaration which hasn't been done in 74 Years

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India and Australia have played out a rain-marred stalemate at the Gabba as the fifth day of the match has ended abruptly, ensuring the draw.

In the match, Australia declared their second innings at 89 for 7 - thus equalling a rare event in Test cricket, last seen 74 years ago at the same venue.

Australia started strong, scoring 445 in their first innings. India responded with 260, trailing by 185 runs. However, the Indian bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah (3 wickets), Mohammed Siraj, and Akash Deep (2 wickets each), turned the tables. They restricted Australia to 89 for 7 in their second innings, leaving the hosts with no choice but to declare.

A Historic Moment Repeated after 74 Years

Australia declared before reaching 100 runs and at the time of declaration, they had lost more than 5 wickets - which happened for the last time 74 years ago.

The last such declaration occurred in December 1950 during a Test between Australia and England. Australia declared at 32 for 7, ultimately winning that low-scoring match by 70 runs. England, in that same match, declared at 68 for 7 in the first innings.

Fast forward to December 18, 2024, and India's bowlers recreated history, forcing Australia into a defensive declaration under similar circumstances. Interestingly, the match in 1950 also took place in Brisbane, thus Gabba becoming the host of two rare events in Test cricket's history.

The draw has provided a significant relief for the visitors. Although India was staring down a defeat, the rain and the fight from their tail-enders to avoid the follow-on helped the team to keep their WTC Final hopes alive.