Australia vs India: 5 Unnoticed things from the Test series

The history beckoned Team India who were on the cusp on doing something no other Indian team had ever done before in Australia. Leading the series 2-1, Virat Kohli and co. arrived in Sydney for the last Test match.

India had already retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy but wished to cap it off with a dominant performance. Australia, on the other hand, had a lot of soul searching to do as no plans were working against a dominant Indian side. Kohli won the toss and chose to bat first.

Once again KL Rahul couldn't justify his repeated chances with the bat and cut a sorry figure for himself. But, Cheteshwar Pujara having already found his love for Aussie bowlers continued his dominance with the bat. The dogged technique and playing to his strengths fetched him another well earned century for India.

With the help of two centurions in Pujara and Rishabh Pant, India coasted to a massive total of 622 on the board before declaring the innings. One can't forget the contributions made by Mayank Agarwal and Ravindra Jadeja to stitch partnerships with the centurions.

Chasing a mammoth first innings total on the board, Aussies started really well before collapsing once again. Kuldeep Yadav and Jadeja spun a web around Aussie batsmen who succumbed to the relentless nature of this Indian attack.

Australia could only manage to score 300 runs in their first innings and had to follow on. Due to unavoidable factors, Team India lost the precious time to bowl the second time. Thus, the match and the successful series for India ended on a sad note with a draw.

India made history to register their first ever series victory in Australia.

Here are the five unnoticed things from the match.

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#1 India became the only team to declare in three consecutive innings against Australia

Virat Kohli-led Indian team

Currently ranked as the No.1 side in the world, India demonstrated why they own that position in the series down under.

India thoroughly outplayed hosts Australia in batting and bowling departments and made their way to unthinkable. Winning a Test match in Australia is a tough ask for any visiting team, but India thoroughly dominated the series.

Scoring against Aussie quicks is never easy, India not only scored well but also dictated the terms in the series. Kohli had the liberty to declare the innings in every match starting from Melbourne.

As a result, India became the first team to declare in three consecutive innings against Australia and eventually won the series comfortably in the end. Team India not only won the historic series but also made a strong statement to the opposition about their strength and ability.

#2 Kuldeep Yadav became the second visiting chinaman bowler to take a five-wicket haul

Kuldeep Yadav bagged a fifer in his maiden Test appearance in Australia

Kuldeep Yadav first debuted in Test cricket against Australia at Dharmashala, India. Under the captainship of Ajinkya Rahane, Kuldeep had unleashed his mystery against the Aussie batsmen in that Test match.

Since then, Kuldeep is unstoppable. He is already proven very effective in the limited overs format but gradually trying to become a contender in Test matches too. Despite getting fewer opportunities in the Test cricket, Kuldeep has made most of every single opportunity that came his way.

India predominantly went with ace spinners Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Getting his chance to play in Australia for the first time in a Test match, Kuldeep didn't disappoint his captain. He spun a web around Aussie batsmen and foxed them with his cunning googlies. He eventually got his five-wicket haul to become the second left-arm wrist spinner to achieve the feat in Australia.

#3 India becomes the first side to win a series in Australia after 31 series played by Asian teams

India was dominating throughout the Test series

Australians never give anything easy when a team tours down under. Many teams have come to Australia with intention of winning series, only to return back empty handed. Often battered and bruised mentally with the kind of cricket Aussies are known for. To beat Australia in Australia, one needed a team that is mentally tough, backed with aggression on the field.

India started the series on a positive note after winning the first match at Adelaide. But, Australia didn't make it easy, they fought back to win the match at Perth to level the series. With the flaw in their batting line-up, Indian bowlers were too hot to handle by the Aussie batters.

As a result, India won the boxing day Test at Melbourne to retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy. Unfortunately, the weather didn't allow the result at Sydney so India won the four-match series 2-1 and became the first Asian side to defeat Australia in Australia after 31 Test series. No other team or captain could achieve such a magnificent feat that Team India achieved today.

#4 Rishabh Pant became the first wicketkeeper to score 200+ runs and register 20+ dismissals in a Test Series

Pant unleashed himself in the Test series

The first choice wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha's unfortunate injury lead Team India to bring in teenager Rishabh Pant into the Test squad. Pant known for his explosive batting in the shortest format of the game did well to adjust into the Test setup of Team India. England tour was a learning experience for Pant behind the wickets and he came back strongly in Australia series.

Pant, who had conceded too many byes as a wicketkeeper in England, put on a new record in Australia series. He was also the timely contributor with the bat and eventually became the second leading runs scorer in the series after Pujara. Behind the wicket, Pant registered 20+ dismissals to surpass every other Indian wicketkeeper in a series.

His 280+ runs in the entire series and 20+ dismissals behind the wicket, made him the first ever wicketkeeper to register such a unique record. Surely, Pant has come a long way after a disastrous tour in England.

#5 Pujara has faced the highest number of balls in a Test series down under by an Indian

Pujara was the cornerstone in India's Test series victory

Kohli always believed in his bowling attack and their capability to take 20 wickets. He kept stressing upon the fact that if batsmen step up to support the bowlers, then there is no stopping to this Indian side.

Indian batsmen failed to perform collectively in England and South Africa. But, they stepped up really well in this series. A special highlight is the monk with abundance patience - Cheteshwar Pujara.

The Test cricket specialist and the player who really puts a huge price on his wicket. The series was all about Pujara's brilliance with the bat who churned runs with utmost patience and technique. Pujara frustrated and tired the Australian bowlers to a greater extent than 'The Wall' Rahul Dravid once did.

Pujara faced 1258 balls in the Test series surpassing the previous record held by none other than Dravid (1203 balls). When other batsmen struggled to get going at times, Pujara came to the rescue and bailed India to the position of advantage. No surprises there for his Man of the Series award.