WATCH: One this day, three years ago India conquered Gabba Fortress to register their most iconic victory in Test Cricket

On this day three years ago in 2021, a famous line 'Toota Hai Gabba ka Ghamand' was etched in the annals of not only Indian cricket but in World Cricket on the back of India's historical chase of 328 runs to win the 4th and final test at Brisbane Gabba and eventually winning arguably the best test series of cricketing history by 2-1. It was not an ordinary test series win but the backdrop to the final test match makes the victory at Gabba and the series win Australia even more special.

Australia's warning to India before the series

Before 2020-21, India last won the test series in Australia in 2018-19 which was a historic feat as it was India's first win series win on Australian soil. But before the next series in 2020, there were some comments by Australia's players and experts undermining India's last series victory by saying that it was a depleted Australian team at that time without the services of Steve Smith and David Warner and were rattled after the Sandpaper gate and India capitalized on that.

India's horrific show at the Adelaide Oval

On top of that India lost the first Pink-ball test of the series miserably and was also humiliated as they bundled out for 36 in their 2nd innings which further raised doubts in people's minds that the previous victory might be a fluke. 

Virat Kohli absence

India was already in hot waters after being handed a humiliating defeat in the first test and Virat Kohli had to leave the tour after the first test as it was pre-decided because of his first child's birth. Even so, that all the former Australian legends already gave their verdict that India will lose the series by 4-0 as Virat won't be there.

Dramatic Comeback

But despite the setbacks, India didn't bog down and made a comeback in the series by winning the Melbourne Test under the leadership of Ajinkya Rahane. However, even after such a drastic people were still casting doubts about India's prospects in the series but after miraculously drawing the third Test at Sydney, people started appreciating the resilience and the fighting attitude of this Indian team.

Tim Paine’s 'Gabba Challenge' to Ravi Ashwin

Despite a heroic comeback in the series, the Aussies were still unabashed by it and kept going on in their arrogant ways. During the 3rd test at Sydney when India was able to draw the match from a precarious position, the Aussie skipper said those famous words "Can't wait for you to come at Gabba" as Brisbane was considered to be Australia's fortress. They hadn't lost a match at the Gabba since 1988, but little did they know that things were about to change.

Gabba Fortress was breached

Before the Gabba test, India was again going through turmoil as their key players Jasprit Burah, Ravindra Jadeja and Ravi Ashwin were unfit to take part in the match and India barely managed to get a playing XI at Australia's fortress. On one hand, there was Australia's trio of Hazlewood-Starc-Cummins who had 1033 to their name. 

On the other hand, the Indian pace bowling of Shardul Thakur, Mohammad Siraj, and T Natarajan had 13 wickets to their name. But against all odds, India put up their best show and went on to win the match by chasing 328 runs on the last day on the back of Rishabh Pant's 89 not-out runs who steered India to one of their most iconic victories in Test Cricket. Relive those memories here: 

The iconic commentary "Toota Hai Gabba Ka Ghamand"

The heart beat of Indian cricket fans. ❤️pic.twitter.com/sqXgbQr5ue

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) January 19, 2024