Indian cricket fraternity, led by Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli, on Tuesday hailed the national team for the "resilience and character" it showed to redeem itself after the Adelaide debacle to win the second Test in Melbourne. India, led by Ajinkya Rahane, levelled the four-match Test series 1-1 after defeating Australia by eight wickets in the second match at the MCG. Rahane led from the front with a match-winning 112 in India's first innings.
"To win a Test match without Virat, Rohit, Ishant & Shami is a terrific achievement. Loved the resilience and character shown by the team to put behind the loss in the 1st Test and level the series. Brilliant win. Well done TEAM INDIA," tweeted Tendulkar.
Kohli, who returned home on paternity leave after leading the side in the first Test, praised Rahane and the team for the win. "What a win this is, absolutely amazing effort by the whole team. Couldn''t be happier for the boys and specially Jinks who led the team to victory amazingly. Onwards and upwards from here," Kohli said in a tweet.
India came into the Melbourne Test on the back of a humiliating defeat in Adelaide in the pink ball day/night match where they were all-out for 36, their lowest-ever Test score.
Star batsman Rohit Sharma, who will join the side in Melbourne on Wednesday after completing his mandatory quarantine, praised the team for showing composure in difficult times.
"Fantastic win for the Team India at the MCG. Character and composure shown throughout the game was excellent to watch @bcci," Rohit tweeted.
However, former India captain Bishan Singh Bedi had a word of caution for the 'Men in Blue' and advised them to stay calm.
"(The) 36 all out was terribly 'freakish' but an 8wkt win is not ... I hope Indns can forget both ... one as a nightmare & the other as nothing to float on cloud nine ... still 2 more Tests to go..& plenty of work to do..stay calm Fellas as yur Capt @ajinkyarahane88 & 'think' how to outwit OZ!," tweeted Bedi.
World Cup winning former skipper Kapil Dev also hailed the team for the win and said in Kohli's absence, Rahane showed exemplary leadership.
"Hats off to Indian cricket team, what a fantastic game after playing poor cricket in Adelaide, you made us proud. Ajinkya Rahane, you and your team, proud of you, you didn't have your captain but you showed the way and carry on doing that, well done," said Dev in a video message from his Twitter handle.
Former India batsman VVS Laxman singled out debutants Shubman Gill and Mohammed Siraj for special praise.
"Lot of positives from this win. Rahane led the side brilliantly, bowlers were relentless but the biggest positive is the performance of two debutants. Both of them were confident and not overawed by the big occasion. Strength of Indian cricket is their strong bench strength," he tweeted.
Ex India opener Gautam Gambhir termed the win as a "stunning performance".
Former India pacer Irfan Pathan said: "Comebacks are always harder but team India did it with class."
Former India batman Sanjay Manjrekar called the win at the MCG "historic" as he compared the aftermath of India's earlier lowest Test score of 42 in 1974 and the 36 in Adelaide. "After the 42, India went onto lose the next Text by an innings and 78 runs. After 36 India go onto win the next Test. Wow! It's a historic win because it came after a historic loss."
Former India opener Virender Sehwag also took to Twitter to praise the performance of Rahane and his team. "A really special win at the MCG. Great Determination and great character. Rahane led from the from the front, the bowlers were terrific and Gill is chill," tweeted Sehwag.
Former Australian player Tom Moody praised India for the comeback but had stern words for the hosts. "Stunning response from India after the 1st Test, Australia's top order have been horribly exposed, some tough decisions required. #AUSvsIND," tweeted Moody.