"Real Gold Stuff": Viv Richards Posts Special Message For Virat Kohli, Cheteshwar Pujara
India scripted history by becoming the first team from Asia to win a Test series in Australia.
- Santosh Rao
- Updated: January 08, 2019 07:35 PM IST
Highlights
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Viv Richards praised the Indian team's performance in Australia
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Viv Richards hailed Cheteshwar Pujara for his brilliant showing
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India won their first-ever Test series on Australian soil
India made history on Monday by becoming the first Asian team to win a Test series in Australia. The Indian cricket team earned plaudits for their superlative performances in the four-Test series with congratulatory messages coming in from all around the globe. On Tuesday, it was the turn of Windies batting legend Viv Richards to lavish praise on the Indian team and it's two batting stars -- captain Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara. In a video message posted on Twitter, the West Indian legend also had a message for his "good mate" and Team India coach Ravi Shastri.
"Let me take this opportunity to congratulate Virat and and your team for such a magnificent performance Down Under," said Viv Richards in a video message.
"And to Pujara, just magnificent batsmanship. I just felt real gold stuff."
You can watch the entire video here:
Remarkable performance from @imVkohli and team down under. Exceptional batting from @cheteshwar1 as well in such difficult conditions, going on to make history.
— Vivian Richards (@ivivianrichards) January 8, 2019
And @RaviShastriOfc, keep up the great work with the team. All the best! @BCCI pic.twitter.com/MYmwoaMBHk
On Monday, India ended their 71-year wait to win a series Down Under. The visitors drew the fourth and final Test in Sydney to clinch the series 2-1.
It is the first time India managed the feat since they began touring Australia in 1947-48. Consequently, Virat Kohli became the first Indian as well as the first Asian captain to win a Test series in Australia.
Pujara's performance with the bat was instrumental in India's win but the Indian pace attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah, also had a huge role in India scripting history.
Pujara scored 521 runs in seven innings at an average of 74.43 with three centuries to his name. By his lofty standards, Virat Kohli didn't fare as well, scoring 282 runs at an average of 40.29 with a solitary hundred.
Rishabh Pant was the second highest run-getter with 350 runs to his name at an average of 58.33.
The Indian pacers were also hugely successful, giving the Australian batsmen a torrid time. Bumrah ended the series as the joint top wicket-taker with 21 scalps to his name. Mohammed Shami was also brilliant, taking a total of 16 wickets in the four-match series.
India will now face Australia in a three-match ODI series, starting January 12.