India crush Australia in first Test to silence critics
India crush Australia in first Test to silence critics
"Very happy. We were put under pressure in first innings but way we responded was great," says stand-in skipper
In the penultimate session on day four, the world's top-ranked Test squad collapsed to 238 all out after being set a daunting 534 for win.
A counterattack Mitchell Marsh
contributed 47, and Travis Head scored a tough 89.
However, against an inspired attack spearheaded by the unstoppable JaspritBumrah, who took 3-42 to take eight wickets in the match, it was never going to
be enough.
Mohammed Siraj gave him strong assistance with 3-51.
mmm
"Very joyful. "We were under pressure in the first innings, but we
responded really well," said Bumrah, the stand-in captain.
"We were well organized. I urged everyone to have faith in their own
abilities.
India, who came to Australia following a crushing 3-0 home series loss to New
Zealand, had an incredible comeback.
mmm
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which they have won since 2017, is unlikely to be
defended.
They now have a significantpsychological edge going into the second day-night Test in Adelaide next week,
helped by captain Rohit Sharma's return.
The resounding win was India's first since their victory at the WACA Ground in
2008 and only their second in Perth.
"Really disappointing. Australia captain Pat Cummins remarked, "Prep was good, all firing, fair
bit to look at as lots didn't go right."
"We'll take a few days off and train in Adelaide, but you want to get back
on the horse.
"In a few areas, such as the bat finish on the first day, we didn't give
ourselves a chance.
"There will be lots of conversations on what we can do better in same
conditions."
Under Bumrah's interim leadership, India dominated an aging team that is
currently under investigation for not producing results.
The hosts' bowling attack was out for a pitiful 104 in response to India's
first innings of 150, and they were unable to respond to an outstanding 161
from young
Virat
Kohli's unbeaten 100 and opener Yashasvi Jaiswal.
Kohli, the standout batsman, was under pressure going into the five-match
series.
mmm
Bumrah described the 22-year-old as having "his best Test innings so far,
he left the ball well."
"I didn't see Virat playing poorly; it's hard to tell on challenging
pitches. However, he performed well in the nets.
Magic from Bumrah
The batting lineup of Australia, which has often depended on a single big score
or partnership to get them out of difficult situations, was mostly outplayed.
They gave in once more on Monday after India set them a lofty goal.
They started the game on 12-3 after collapsing in the last 30 minutes of play
on Sunday, with Steve Smith still without a goal and Usman Khawaja on three.
Khawaja only included one when he got a large top edge after mistiming a
pullshot off Siraj.
Backtracking wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant caught it, and at the Twenty20
tournament's lucrative auction on Sunday, he became the most expensive player
in Indian Premier League history.
Head fought on, hitting seven boundaries for his 17th Test half-century after
surviving a strong lbw shout on seven. A review revealed that the leg stump was
missing.
Smith needed a spell on the ground to recuperate after a Harshit Rana bouncer
at the other end struck his midriff and knocked him down.
He managed to stand up and continue
playing, and on twelve, he passed a lbw review, just like Head.
However, Siraj halted their collaboration when Pant made yet another great
catch. Smith had to play on 17 after he edged a delivery.
Home hopes were briefly raised by Head and Marsh's 82-run partnership until
Bumrah once more performed his magic.
With Bumrah's loud double fist pump demonstrating his excitement at the
breakthrough, the mostly trouble-free Head, who seemed destined for a century,
feathered to Pant.
With the help of Alex Carey,
all-rounder Marsh kept the scoreboard moving, but he was dismissed for 47 after
dragging a wide Nitish Kumar Reddy delivery onto the stumps.
Prior to the tail being tucked away early in the final session, Mitchell Starc,
the top scorer in the first innings, was out for 12 just before tea.
Post a Comment