Australia mounted a formidable response to secure an impressive 10-wicket victory over India at the Adelaide Oval. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is now level at 1-1, as Pat Cummins and the Australian squad aim to reclaim the trophy for the first time in ten years.

Former captain Tim Paine, who led the team during their defeats to India in 2019 and 2021, praised the mindset exhibited by the Australian team under Cummins and expressed confidence in their ability to maintain this level of performance throughout the remainder of the series.

During an appearance on the SEN Breakfast podcast, Paine reflected on Australia’s triumph, asserting that the team demonstrated their status as one of the premier units globally. “I would imagine there is a sense of relief, without a doubt,” remarked the former wicketkeeper. “We discussed a couple of days ago the pressure they were under and the response that was anticipated from them.”

“This team has faced harsh criticism at times, yet they are among the greats,” Paine added. “They have achieved everything except for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and they are acutely aware of that; it is a goal they are eager to accomplish.”

‘The big boys stood up…’

Australia's victory in the pink ball Test has set the stage for an exciting continuation of the series, with the upcoming Test at the Gabba in Brisbane being crucial for determining which team will carry the momentum into the final two matches in Melbourne and Sydney.

Paine expressed great satisfaction with the resilience demonstrated by the Australian team, particularly after their defeat in the series opener in Perth. With the day-night match favouring Australia, they have ensured that they do not face an even more challenging situation in the latter part of the series.

"I believed the way they reacted under significant pressure was remarkable, especially in a pink ball Test where we have a strong track record and India has limited experience," Paine remarked. "The key players rose to the occasion, especially captain Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc – known for his prowess with the pink ball, Travis Head was outstanding, and Marnus was particularly impressive."

This victory has also revitalized Australia’s pursuit of defending the World Test Championship, positioning them favourably for qualification for the finals at Lord’s next year. India will seek to regain the upper hand with a favourable outcome in Brisbane, where the match is set to commence on December 14.

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