Perth: The writing was on the wall after India had reduced Australia to 12/3 in their second innings by stumps on the third day of the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
The home team did put up some resistance on Day 4, but the inevitable happened just after tea on Monday as India completed a famous 295-run win.
It was Australia’s first defeat in 5 Test matches at the Optus Stadium, making India’s triumph even more memorable. It was also India’s biggest victory (in terms of runs) in a Test match in Australia.
Chasing an improbable 534 for victory, Australia were bowled out for 238. India’s march to victory was stalled by two partnerships featuring Travis Head, made a strokeful 89 off 101 balls. The left-handed Head added 62 runs for the fifth wicket with Steve Smith and 82 for the sixth wicket with Mitchell Marsh (47).
Mohammed Siraj picked up two important wickets of Usman Khawaja and Smith, while the relentless Bumrah ended Head’s fine knock. Allrounder Nitish Reddy bagged his maiden Test wicket, offie Washington Sundar captured two and the impressive pacer Harshit Rana closed out the victory with the fourth victim of his debut Test.
Stand-in captain Bumrah led from the front and was rightly adjudged Man of the Match for his eight-wicket match haul.
It was Bumrah’s first win as India’s Test captain, a result which not even the most optimistic Indian fan expected after India suffered a shocking 3-0 drubbing at the hands of New Zealand back home earlier this month. And when India were skittled out for 150 at the stroke of tea on the opening day at Perth, India’s worst fears seemed to be coming true.
To turn around the game from that stage was quite an incredible achievement.
The challenge of the day/night pink ball Test at Adelaide is up next for India.
Brief Scores
India 1st innings: 150 who
Australia 1st innings: 104
India 2nd innings: 487/6 declared
Australia 2nd innings: 238 (Travis Head 89, Mitchell Marsh 47; Jasprit Bumrah 3/42, Md Siraj 3/51, Washington Sundar 2/48).
Result: India won by 295 runs.
Man of the Match: Jasprit Bumrah (8/72)
Series: India lead 1-0, 4 Tests to follow.
2nd Test: Day-night pink ball match at Adelaide from Dec 6.
