On Monday, India secured a resounding 295-run victory over Australia in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. The game took place at Perth's Optus Stadium.
This triumph marks India's first win at this venue and their first win in Perth since 2008, setting a dominant tone for the five-match series.
Day 1: Bowlers Dominate
The match commenced with India winning the toss and electing to bat. Then, Australia's pace attack, led by Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc, dismantled the Indian batting lineup.
Hazlewood's figures of 4 for 29 and Starc's 2 for 14 were instrumental in restricting India to a modest 150 runs in their first innings. Nitish Kumar Reddy's resilient 41 and Rishabh Pant's 37 were the only contributions in an otherwise faltering innings.
But Australia's response was underwhelming. Jasprit Bumrah, leading the team in Rohit Sharma's absence, delivered a masterclass in fast bowling. He claimed 5 for 30. Mohammed Siraj and Harshit Rana provided excellent support, with figures of 2 for 20 and 3 for 48, respectively. The hosts were bundled out for a paltry 104, giving India a slender but crucial 46-run lead.
Day 2: Indian Openers Consolidate
Building on their lead, Indian openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul showed skill and temperament. The duo assembled a partnership, with Jaiswal nearing a century and Rahul providing steadfast support. India had amassed 172 without loss, extending their lead to 218 runs and placing Australia on the back foot.
Day 3: Jaiswal and Kohli Shine
On the third day, Yashasvi Jaiswal delivered a batting masterclass. He scored a magnificent 161, marking his maiden overseas Test century.
His innings was characterized by elegant stroke play and remarkable composure. Virat Kohli contributed an unbeaten 100, his 30th Test century. This silenced his critics and solidified India's dominance. India declared their second innings at 487 for 6, setting Australia an imposing target of 534 runs.
Australia's second innings began disastrously, with Bumrah and Siraj wreaking havoc. By stumps, the hosts were reduced to 12 for 3, with Bumrah accounting for two wickets and Siraj for one. Australia found themselves in dire straits.
Day 4: Australia Succumbs
Resuming at 12 for 3, Australia faced an uphill battle. Travis Head offered some resistance with a valiant 89, and Mitchell Marsh added 47. Yet, their efforts were in vain.
Bumrah continued his stellar performance. He finished with match figures of 8 for 72, while Siraj chipped in with 3 for 51. Australia was eventually dismissed for 238, handing India a comprehensive 295-run victory.
Key Performances and Takeaways
Jasprit Bumrah's leadership and bowling were pivotal to India's success. His ability to exploit the conditions and maintain relentless pressure was instrumental in dismantling the Australian batting lineup.
Yashasvi Jaiswal's innings showed his immense talent and highlighted India's batting depth. Virat Kohli's century reaffirmed his status as a world-class batter, providing stability in the middle order.
Australia's defeat has raised concerns about their preparedness and performance. Critics have pointed to a lack of match readiness and ineffective strategies.
The top-order's failure—the first four batters contributed just 29 runs across both innings—has been a focal point of criticism. This is the worst performance in Australia's Test history.
Captain Pat Cummins' leadership and the team's overall strategy have been scrutinized. Former players and commentators have called for a reassessment of team selections and preparation methods. Despite the heavy defeat, some voices, like Ian Healy, have urged patience. He suggested that the team could recover, noting that it was just the first match in a series of five.
India's emphatic victory has set the tone for the series. Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill's return for the second Test in Adelaide could bolster the team's confidence.
Australia faces the challenge of regrouping and addressing the issues exposed in this match. The second Test, a day-night encounter at Adelaide Oval starting December 6, offers them an opportunity to bounce back. Historically, Australia has a strong record in pink-ball Tests at Adelaide, which they will hope to leverage to level the series.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy has always been a fiercely contested series. This opening match has set the stage for an intriguing battle ahead. Cricket fans will watch how both teams evolve in the upcoming matches.