This was a victory for the ages.

Toppling India by nine wickets in the third Test with brave and skilful cricket goes way beyond the salvaging of pride after two humbling defeats.

It sets up the generation that will carry Australian cricket forward knowing that no matter how much India’s pitch doctors attempt to work their magic, Australia can triumph in wildly spinning conditions.

Central to Australia’s future competing in India were Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne, who took Australia to this victory.

Much will happen before they return to India for a five-Test series in 2027, but on present indications, Head and Labuschagne will be the mainstay of the team. One may well be captain. Labuschagne is currently ranked the best batsman in the world and Head is fifth.

They will take much from this victory. In all the circumstances, it is unlikely they have seen off a more difficult 76 runs, or ever will again.

Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head after guiding Australia to victory in the third Test.Credit:Getty Images

Head and Labuschagne were not only competing against a brute of a pitch and two of the best spinners India have ever produced, they were carrying the baggage of regular and spectacular batting collapses: 8-28 in the second Test and 6-11 to end Australia’s first innings in this Test.

So, when Usman Khawaja was caught behind from the second ball of the innings after Ravi Ashwin ripped the new ball across the left-hander, there was a here-we-go-again, heart-in-the-throat moment. But the collapse never came.