'Tears came down my eyes': VVS Laxman says he got 'emotional' when India beat Australia at Gabba

India handed Australia their first Test defeat in Brisbane after 32 years. VVS Laxman revealed that he became emotional while watching it.

On January 19, 2021, the world saw perhaps the best day in India's Test cricket history. When Shubman Gill and Rohit Sharma came out to bat on the final day of the fourth Test in Brisbane, the odds were stacked in the hosts' favour. Australia had not lost at Gabba in 32 years, and with India missing the likes of Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, and Hanuma Vihari in the batting line-up, the target of 328 seemed far away.

File image of former India batsman VVS Laxman. (Getty Images)

But with the help of a brisk innings of 91 from Shubman Gill, a solid innings of 56 from Cheteshwar Pujara, a brief cameo of 22 runs from Washington Sundar, and a match-winnin innings of 89* from Rishabh Pant, the visitors picked a memorable 3-wicket win to clinch the series 2-1.

Much like every Indian cricket fan, former batsman VVS Laxman watched the epic encounter. Speaking to Sports Today, the Test batting legend recalled how he shed tears watching India winning a series in Australia for the 2nd time in a row.

"There is no doubt about it. In fact, I became very emotional. I was watching the last day and following it along with my family. When Rishabh and Washington were batting, I got very tense myself because when you’re not playing the game, you’re not in control," Laxman said.

"I just wanted India to beat Australia and win the series, especially after what has happened in Adelaide and what had happened before the Gabba Test match where everyone was talking about Indians are scared of going to Brisbane where Australia hadn’t lost in a long time," he added.

Laxman further revealed that it was the 2nd time he cried while watching cricket - the first one was during India's 2011 ODI World Cup win.

"Twice I cried, once in 2011 when India lifted the World Cup because I always wanted to be part of a World Cup-winning team and I played alongside this group of players who were so close to me and they went on to realise their dream of winning the World Cup," Laxman said.

"And I always wanted to beat Australia in Australia, I was not able to do that as a cricketer. I was so proud that this young Indian did that. Tears came down my eyes. Words cannot express what a wonderful, inspirational achievement not only for cricket but for the entire country," the former India batsman added.

India will now gear up for a four-match Test series at home against England. India and England will also play 3 ODIs and 5 T20Is.