India delivered a commanding performance at Optus Stadium, thrashing Australia by 295 runs to secure a memorable victory in the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. A brilliant all-round effort, led by stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah, marked a remarkable comeback for the visitors, who had faced significant setbacks leading into the match.
Match Highlights
India’s Innings:
- First Innings: Bowled out for 150 (Hazlewood 4-29).
- Second Innings: Declared at 487/6, powered by Yashasvi Jaiswal’s 161 and Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 100.
Australia’s Innings:
- First Innings: Dismissed for a paltry 104, with Bumrah claiming 5-30.
- Second Innings: Bowled out for 238, despite Travis Head’s fighting 89.
Bumrah starred with eight wickets across the match, supported by Mohammed Siraj (3-51 in the second innings) and debutant Harshit Rana.
A Turnaround for India
Written off after a 3-0 home series loss to New Zealand, India arrived in Australia without key players Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. Under intense scrutiny, coach Gautam Gambhir’s bold decisions—leaving out seasoned spinners R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja—paid dividends.
Bumrah’s fiery spells dismantled Australia’s batting, while Jaiswal and Kohli’s centuries highlighted India’s second innings dominance.
Australia Falter
Australia’s poor preparations and limited match practice were evident. Their top order failed, with Marnus Labuschagne contributing just 5 runs in the match. Pat Cummins, playing his first red-ball game since March, endured a rare off-match, finishing with figures of 3-153.
Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh offered resistance with counterattacking knocks, adding some respectability to Australia’s second innings. However, cracks in the pitch and relentless Indian bowling sealed their fate.
Key Moments
- Bumrah’s Masterclass: His mesmerizing first-innings spell turned the game after India’s modest total.
- Smith’s Struggles: Adjusting his technique after recent lbw troubles, Smith showed grit but fell to a brilliant Siraj delivery.
- Head and Marsh’s Fight: Their partnership briefly lifted Australian hopes before Bumrah and Reddy struck.
- Kohli’s Leadership: His energy on the field and century in the second innings fueled India’s momentum.
Looking Ahead
India’s decisive victory sets the tone for the five-match series, sending shockwaves through Australian cricket. Questions loom over Australia’s misfiring batting lineup and lackluster bowling, as the pressure mounts ahead of the next Test.
For India, the win is a testament to resilience and teamwork, with Bumrah’s captaincy shining in the absence of regular leaders. The series opener has undoubtedly laid the foundation for a thrilling contest.
