Perth: Against all odds and pre-series doubts, Team India, under the captaincy of Jasprit Bumrah, secured a resounding 295-run victory over Australia in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Perth Stadium. This emphatic win not only gave India a 1-0 lead in the five-match series but also marked their largest Test victory by runs outside home.
Heading into the series, India’s prospects seemed bleak following a 3-0 defeat to New Zealand, the absence of key players Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill, and a debutant-heavy playing XI. The skepticism deepened when India was bowled out for a mere 150 runs on the opening day. However, in a dramatic turnaround, the team showcased its renowned resilience and turned the game on its head with a commanding performance.
Bumrah Leads from the Front
Captain Jasprit Bumrah spearheaded India’s remarkable triumph with an extraordinary bowling display. His match-altering spell of 5-30 in Australia’s first innings helped restrict the hosts to 104, giving India a crucial 46-run lead. Bumrah finished the match with eight wickets, cementing his role as the chief architect of the victory.
Batting Brilliance in the Second Innings
India’s batting resurgence in the second innings was spearheaded by centurions Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli, who laid a solid foundation for a mammoth total. Contributions from KL Rahul, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Rishabh Pant further bolstered India’s lead, while Mohammed Siraj added critical support in the lower order. Declaring at 487/6, India set Australia an imposing target of 534 runs.
Australia Falls Short
Starting day four at 13-2, Australia faced an uphill battle to save the match. Despite a spirited 89 from Travis Head and a gritty 47 by local hero Mitchell Marsh, the hosts were bowled out for 238 just after tea. Bumrah and Siraj claimed three wickets each, sealing India’s monumental win.
A Win for the History Books
This victory is only the second time India has won the opening Test of a Border-Gavaskar Trophy series, the first being their Adelaide triumph in 2018. The win adds Perth 2024 to India’s list of iconic overseas Test victories, symbolizing the team’s bounce-back spirit and remarkable depth.
Brief Scores
India: 150 in 49.4 overs and 487/6 declared in 134.3 overs
Australia: 104 in 51.2 overs and 238 in 58.4 overs (Travis Head 89, Mitchell Marsh 47; Mohammed Siraj 3-51, Jasprit Bumrah 3-42)
India now heads into the second Test of the series with momentum on their side, aiming to build on this historic win.
