IND VS AUS 1ST TEST

Right then, that wraps up our coverage of the first Test - a match with its fair share of ebb and flow, not necessarily in momentum between the two teams, but in the intrigue each day's play brought. This is just the beginning of what promises to be a crackerjack five-match series. The excitement will ramp up even further as we head to Adelaide for the second Test, a pink-ball Day-Night contest that promises its own set of challenges. The second Test begins on Friday, 6th December, with the first ball to be bowled at 4 am GMT (9.30 am IST). As always, our build-up will start much earlier. Until then, take care and goodbye!

The Indian skipper, Jasprit Bumrah is the PLAYER OF THE MATCH for his superb showing with the ball. He says that he is happy with the way the team responded after being put under pressure in the first innings. Shares that he played here in 2018 and knew that the wicket here is a little soft early on and it gets quicker as the game progresses. Adds that this deck was not as spicy as they were expecting. Mentions that the talk was about having faith in one's ability and even if you do not have the experience, you can do something special. Feels that this was the best knock of Yashasvi Jaiswal's career and how he adapted to the demands of the situation. When asked about Virat Kohli, he replies that it did not look like Kohli was out of form looking at how he was batting in the nets.

The captain of Australia, Pat Cummins says that it is very disappointing and that they will take a couple of day's rest and then get back to the preps for the Adelaide Test. Adds that they didn't really give themselves a chance in all the facets. Further believes that they should have done well on the first day with the bat. Says that it's a long summer ahead and the sample size is very small. Mentions tthere's a lot of experience out there in the dressing room and says they very well know how to come back. Ends by saying they will have a detailed conversation about where things went wrong and come stronger and more prepared for Adelaide.

Time for the presentation ceremony...

Head continued to impose himself on the Indian attack, while Marsh, who had looked shaky before the Lunch break, also found his footing. As he has often done, Bumrah broke through on his return to the attack by removing Head. When Marsh dragged one back onto the stumps off Nitish Kumar Reddy's bowling, one end was opened for the tourists, and it was only a matter of time before they sealed the deal. This 295-run win marks India's biggest win in Australia in terms of runs, as they clinch a memorable victory.

Earlier on Day 4, Australia were rocked early with the dismissal of Usman Khawaja. Steven Smith and Travis Head then stepped up, with Smith making a conscious adjustment to not shuffle across his stumps. The indifferent bounce troubled both, and while Head started with caution, he gained confidence as the innings progressed, beginning to unleash his shots. Smith was undone by a beauty from Siraj, but Head held firm and stitched together another solid stand with the local boy, Mitchell Marsh.

On Day 3, centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli helped India extend their advantage. Jaiswal became only the third Indian to score a century in his first Test in Australia. After a mini-collapse saw India lose 3 wickets for 8 runs to be reduced to 322/5, Kohli's 30th Test century, along with a cameo from Nitish Kumar Reddy, pushed India to a commanding 533-run lead before declaring. After grinding them out in the field for 134.3 overs, India inflicted further misery on Australia, reducing them to 12/3 by the close of play.

By Day 2, the greenish tinge on the surface had faded, revealing a more brownish hue. The frenetic action of Day 1 gave way to a steadier contest, with just three wickets falling across the day. Mitchell Starc displayed admirable resilience with the bat, helping Australia cut the deficit to 46 runs. Contrary to expectations, the pitch eased out instead of deteriorating, and KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal capitalized on the improved conditions. The duo batted with authority, taking India to a dominant position by stumps, leading by 218 runs with all 10 wickets intact.

Let’s take a look back at how we arrived at this point in the first Test. It all began with a gripping opening day that saw 17 wickets tumble, all claimed by the seamers. India, opting to bat first on a lively green pitch, were bowled out for a mere 150. Australia’s pacers, spearheaded by Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, exploited the conditions brilliantly to rattle the visitors. When it was Australia’s turn to bat, the Indian pacers hit back with equal venom. Jasprit Bumrah’s fiery spells, combined with impactful contributions from Mohammed Siraj and debutant Harshit Rana, had Australia reeling. By stumps, the hosts were in deep trouble, precariously placed at 67/7.

An emphatic win for India to take a 1-0 lead in the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy! After being bowled out for just 150 in the first innings, trouble loomed large, and not many would have imagined India winning the game, let alone by a massive margin of 295 runs. This win propels India to the top of the 2023-25 World Test Championship standings, dethroning Australia. As for Australia, being humbled at home in such a manner is a rare occurrence, especially at the Perth Stadium, where they had an impeccable record, winning all four of their previous Tests at this venue.

OUT! BOWLED 'EM! INDIA WIN A FAMOUS TEST IN PERTH! A victory which will be remembered for a long, long time! Harshit Rana stays around the stumps and gets the ball to tail back into the left-hander. It is that slower ball at 109.9 kph that lands on a fuller length at off, Alex Carey is stuck inside the crease and goes through to push it to the off-side, anticipating the ball to come quicker at him. He ends up playing inside the line and goes through the shot a bit early. The ball flirts past the outside edge to clatter into the sticks. India halt Australia's unbeaten winning streak at the Optus Stadium in Perth.

OUT! BOWLED 'EM! INDIA WIN A FAMOUS TEST IN PERTH! A victory which will be remembered for a long, long time! Harshit Rana stays around the stumps and gets the ball to tail back into the left-hander. It is that slower ball at 109.9 kph that lands on a fuller length at off, Alex Carey is stuck inside the crease and goes through to push it to the off-side, anticipating the ball to come quicker at him. He ends up playing inside the line and goes through the shot a bit early. The ball flirts past the outside edge to clatter into the sticks. India halt Australia's unbeaten winning streak at the Optus Stadium in Perth.

Short again, on off, Alex Carey stays tall and swivels to pull it to deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.

Short and angling down leg, pulled to deep fine. No run taken.

Oh, that must have stung! Another sharp bumper on the bodyline, stays considerably low on the bounce. Alex Carey looks to duck under it but takes the blow near his left shoulder. Harshit straightaway checks on Carey and the latter says he is alright.

Nice and full, on middle, Josh Hazlewood takes his front foot out and defends it forward.

With a stacked up leg side field closing in on the batter, Sundar bowls a full ball, on off, Josh Hazlewood prods ahead and defends it off the inside edge of the bat to the leg side.