India achieved a resounding victory over Australia in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, winning by 295 runs at the WACA Ground in Perth. This win not only puts India ahead 1-0 in the series but also serves as a significant confidence booster for the team, especially after a challenging start to the match.
As Day 4 commenced, Australia faced an imposing target of 534 runs to win. The visitors, led by Jasprit Bumrah, were determined to capitalize on the pressure. Australia began the day at a precarious position of 12 for 3, having lost key wickets on Day 3. Bumrah’s early breakthroughs set the tone for the day as he dismissed debutant Nathan McSweeney and Marnus Labuschagne cheaply.
Mohammed Siraj joined the attack and continued to apply pressure, removing nightwatchman Pat Cummins and contributing significantly to Australia’s woes. The Australian batting lineup struggled against disciplined Indian bowling, with only Travis Head showing some resistance. Head scored a valiant 66 runs but lacked support from his teammates. Australia concluded at 238 runs, handing India a comprehensive victory.
The first Test was a tale of two innings for India. In their first innings, they were bowled out for just 150 runs, with only Shreyas Iyer managing to make a significant contribution with his score of 47. However, India bounced back brilliantly in their second innings, declaring at 487 for 6. Yashasvi Jaiswal was the standout performer, scoring a magnificent 161 runs off just 227 balls. His innings was characterized by aggressive stroke play and solid technique.
Virat Kohli’s return to form was another highlight of India’s second innings. He scored an unbeaten century, marking his first Test century in over a year and silencing critics who had questioned his form. The partnership between Jaiswal and Kohli was pivotal in setting an intimidating target for Australia.
India’s victory in this first Test will, no doubt, set an optimistic tone for the series ahead. With key players like Jaiswal and Kohli performing at their best and a potent bowling attack led by Bumrah and Siraj, India looks poised to continue their dominance in Australian conditions. The team will aim to build on this achievement as they head into the first match of the second Test.
