New Delhi: India vanquished Australia by a heavy margin of 295 runs in the first Test at the Optus Stadium in Perth on Monday. The Jasprit Bumrah-led side took a 1-0 lead in the five-match series of the Border Gavaskar Trophy. Australia were bowled out for 238 score in the final session of Day 4 with Jasprit Bumrah (3 for 42) and Mohammed Siraj (3 for 51) being the tormentors for the hosts.
In a mammoth 534-run chase, Australia’s chips were down at the end of the third day after they were reduced to 12 for 3 with Bumrah and Siraj dismantling the top order. To add more to the injuries, Usman Khawaja added just one run from his overnight score of 3 on Sunday before he top-edged to Rishabh Pant off Siraj’s bowling early on the fourth day.
It seemed that Steve Smith (17) and Travis Head (89) resurrected the ship and were bracing the challenge of climbing the mountain. Both batters showed the technical ability to counter the pace and movement with Smith being more cautious with his leg movement after Bumrah trapped him for a nought with the ball skidding down the knees.
However, it was Siraj who dismissed the star Australian batter this time by inducing his edge with the varying length pitched around the off stump. Head was on the roll to play his own brand of cricket while shifting to the countering spree. He smashed the likes of Bumrah, Siraj and Harshit, bringing on the cover drives and swiveling across for the pulls. Head feathered Bumrah before he could reach the three-figure mark.
India breach Perth fortress
With Head’s dismissal on the fold, the remaining proceedings seemed mere formality for India to get past the finishing line. Alex Carey (21) and Mitchell Starc (26) delayed the victory celebrations. Washington Sundar made the use of the turn available on the surface, not surprising after Nathan Lyon displayed his skills on the third day. Debutant Harshit Rana castled Carey with a slower delivery as the Indian fielders pumped up in jubilance.
This was a remarkable win for India after they were bundled up for 150 on the opening day of the Perth Test. This defeat at the Optus marks the first loss for Australia at the venue after they won all four matches played between 2018 and 2023. This was another act of Indians breaching an Australian fortress down under.
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