India achieved a remarkable victory in Perth, winning the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy against Australia by a stunning margin of 295 runs. This dominant performance gives India a 1-0 lead in the five-match series.
Stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah was the star of the match, securing eight wickets in total, including a vital five-wicket haul during the first innings.
On the final day, Australia began their innings at 227/8 after the Tea break but could only manage to add 11 runs. Debutant Harshit Rana captured the final wicket, dismissing Alex Carey for 36 runs.
The post-Tea session saw Nathan Lyon dismissed first, bowled by Washington Sundar without scoring. With just one wicket needed to clinch victory, Rana delivered by bowling Carey, sealing India’s historic win.
India’s bowlers were outstanding, with Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj leading the charge by taking three wickets each. Washington Sundar claimed two wickets, while Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy added one wicket apiece.
The match was dominated by India’s bowlers from the start, resulting in a comprehensive win to begin the series.
Highlights of the Match
India had chosen to bat after winning the toss, but the team was bowled out for 150 runs. Key contributions came from Nitish Kumar Reddy, who scored 41 off 59 balls with six fours and a six, and Rishabh Pant, who made 37 off 78 balls. They formed an essential 48-run partnership for the sixth wicket.
Australia’s bowling was led by Josh Hazlewood, who took 4 wickets for 29 runs, while Pat Cummins, Mitchell Marsh, and Mitchell Starc each contributed two wickets. However, Australia’s response with the bat was weak, collapsing to 79/9 at one stage. A brief resistance from Mitchell Starc (26) and Alex Carey (21) brought Australia’s total to 104, giving India a 46-run lead.
Jasprit Bumrah shone in India’s first innings, taking 5 wickets for 30 runs in 18 overs, while Harshit Rana impressed on debut with figures of 3/48.
In their second innings, India extended their lead with a massive opening partnership of 201 runs between KL Rahul, who scored 77 off 176 balls, and Yashasvi Jaiswal. Jaiswal continued to shine, adding 74 more runs in partnership with Devdutt Padikkal, who made 25 off 71 balls. Jaiswal eventually fell for 161 off 297 balls, which included 15 fours and three sixes.
India continued to pile on the runs, with Virat Kohli contributing an unbeaten 100 off 143 balls, supported by Washington Sundar and Nitish Kumar Reddy. India declared at 487/6, setting a target of 534 runs for Australia.
Nathan Lyon was Australia’s top bowler in the second innings, taking 2 wickets for 96 runs, while Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood each took a wicket.
Australia’s Struggle on Day 4
By the end of Day 3, Australia was already in trouble, standing at 12/3 with Bumrah taking two wickets and Siraj claiming another. The pressure intensified on Day 4 when Mohammed Siraj dismissed Usman Khawaja for 4, reducing Australia to 17/4.
A brief recovery followed with a solid partnership between Steven Smith and Travis Head, adding 62 runs before Siraj removed Smith for 17, leaving Australia at 79/5. Travis Head fought valiantly, remaining unbeaten on 63 from 72 deliveries, showcasing his trademark resilience against India.
However, India’s relentless bowling attack kept the pressure on, and Australia ended the first session of Day 4 at 104/5. After Lunch, Travis Head’s innings concluded at 89 off 101 balls, including eight boundaries, dismissed by Bumrah as Australia slumped to 161/6.
Australia continued to lose wickets quickly. Mitchell Marsh was bowled for 47 by Nitish Kumar Reddy, marking his first Test wicket, leaving Australia at 182/7. Just before Tea, Mitchell Starc fell for 12, caught by Dhruv Jurel off a Washington Sundar delivery, leaving Australia at 227/8.
India’s Bowling Dominance Secures Victory
After Tea, Australia could not recover, as India’s bowlers finished the job swiftly. Bumrah’s exceptional leadership and bowling performance, along with significant contributions from the rest of the bowling unit, ensured a memorable start for India in the Test series.
