BGT 2024 | India outclasses a shaky Australia to claim a resounding victory at Perth

Debayan Sinha

ByDebayan Sinha, SportsCafe Editor

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India beat Australia by 295 runs in the first Test at Perth. The Indian batters dominated with stellar centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli setting the tone coupled with great contributions from the pacers while Australia faltered with the bat and crumbled off a daunting chase.

‌Australia's troubles deepened after centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli left them on the back foot. On the fourth day, the overnight pair of Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith walked out to bat, with Australia in a nervy position. The woes continued when Mohammed Siraj struck early, dismissing Khawaja off the second delivery of the day. However, Smith and Travis Head briefly steadied the ship, taking Australia to 78/4 after 24 overs. The pitch, offering significant bounce and pace, allowed the Indian bowlers to maintain dominance, and Siraj struck again in the 25th over, removing Smith. With Mitchell Marsh joining Head, the Australian batting continued, but Head remained steady, bringing up his half-century off 63 deliveries. By lunch, Australia was 104/5, still requiring 430 runs to win.

 

Post-lunch, the Marsh-Head partnership took an aggressive approach, pushing the score to 139/5 in 35 overs. The Indian bowlers began to feel the pressure as the duo built a 67-run stand, with Head leading the charge through his fluent 88-ball 80, finding gaps for regular boundaries. The turning point of the game came in the 39th over when Jasprit Bumrah dismissed the well-set Head, breaking the crucial partnership. With Alex Carey and Mitchell Marsh at the crease, Australia managed to reach 179/6, still needing 355 runs for an improbable victory. The momentum swung firmly in India’s favour when Nitish Kumar Reddy delivered a key blow, clean bowling Marsh in the 44th over, leaving the visitors inching closer to a well-earned win. The Indians had to be patient as Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc put together a quick 28-run stand, taking Australia to 210/7 and narrowing the deficit to 324 runs. However, just before tea, Washington Sundar broke the 45-run partnership by dismissing Starc, providing a timely breakthrough. With Starc’s dismissal, the umpires called for tea a minute early, capping off a dominant second session for India.

 

The Indians erupted in celebration right after tea as Washington Sundar struck again, dismissing Nathan Lyon. With Australia on the brink of defeat, the Indian team eagerly awaited the final wicket to seal their victory. The decisive moment came when Rana dismissed Alex Carey, securing India's dominant 295-run victory and giving them a 1-0 lead in the series. With the win, both teams will now head to Adelaide for the pink ball Test, set to begin on December 6.



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