India dominates Australia in the first test to quiet detractors
India continued their incredible run in the nation with a remarkable 295-run victory against Australia in the maiden Test match played in Perth. They took a 1-0 lead in the five-Test series after bowling Australia out for 238 in the last session on day four. Since their 2018–19 visit, India has now won five of their last nine Test matches in Australia and lost only two.
After centuries from Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal, and some outstanding bowling from Jasprit Bumrah, India defeated Australia by 295 runs in the opening Test of the five-match series. India swept Australia out for 238 after they continued to lose wickets at regular intervals while chasing 534. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj both claimed three wickets for India, while Washington Sundar claimed two. With 89 runs, Travis Head was the standout performer for Australia. In addition to him, Alex Carey scored 36 and Mitchell Marsh scored 47. Prior to Kohli’s historic 30th Test century, Jaiswal had scored 161. India now leads the five-match series 1-0 after this victory.
The only other side to win a Test match in Australia throughout that period is the West Indies.
After a devastating new-ball performance from Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah late on day three, Australia resumed at 12-3. That quickly grew to 17-4 when the latter caught Usman Khawaja behind off a top-edged pull.
Siraj then brilliantly set up Steve Smith, who was caught behind for 17 from a straightened shot.
Despite their counterattacks, Travis Head (89) and Mitchell Marsh (47), respectively, were quickly defeated by Bumrah and Nitish Kumar Reddy in the afternoon session. Before a fantastic slower ball from Nitish Rana tricked Alex Carey to complete the decisive victory, off-spinner Washington Sundar got Mitchell Starc caught at short leg and bowled Nathan Lyon.
For India to go to the World Test Championship final for the third time in a row, they need to win three of the following four Test matches. To advance to the final, Australia has to win five games in this series and a two-Test visit of Sri Lanka. Adelaide will host the second Test match day and night beginning on December 6.
After suffering a record 3-0 home series loss to New Zealand, India must have been feeling quite uneasy on the first day of the series. However, under the leadership of the outstanding replacement captain Bumrah, they mounted a spectacular comeback. In addition to being an excellent batsman, he was a skilled captain who knew when to attack and when to take pressure.
Rohit Sharma, the regular captain, is anticipated to make a comeback for the second Test match after missing this one due to the birth of his second kid. On Monday, he batted in the nets.
Seamer Mohammed Shami has begun his comeback after a year-long sabbatical and might now participate in this series, while Shubman Gill might possibly return at three following a hit to the thumb during the warm-up game.
Before Adelaide, the tourists will face a Prime Minister’s XI in a two-day match. They must choose how to balance their team and if Rohit will split up the opening duo of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had an incredible double century partnership in Perth’s second innings. All-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin, who has claimed 11 wickets in his last two Test matches in Adelaide, may also be considered.
Jasprit Bumrah, Indian captain: “Very happy. We were put under pressure in the first innings, but the way we responded was great. I played here in 2018 – I remember the wicket started soft. This one was less spicy, we were really well prepared. I told everyone to keep faith in your ability. Jaiswal’s best Test innings so far, he left the ball well, I didn’t see Virat out of form – difficult to judge that on difficult pitches. But he was good in the nets. We always enjoy the support from the crowd, when the backing is there we feel good.”
Pat Cummins, Australian captain: “Fairly disappointing. Prep was good, all firing, fair bit to look at as lots didn’t go right. Gap is what it is. You want to get on the horse but we will take a couple of days’ rest and get training in Adelaide. We didn’t give ourselves a chance in a few different facets – like the finish on day 1 with bat. There’s a lot of experience in the side, they’re going about it well, there will be lots of conversations on what we can do better in same conditions.”
