PERTH: India unleashed a dominant performance to crush Australia by 295 runs in the opening Test in Perth, leaving the hosts stunned and searching for answers.
Chasing a daunting target of 534 for victory, Australia collapsed to 238 all out in the final session of day four. Despite a determined 89 from Travis Head and 47 from Mitchell Marsh, they were no match for India’s inspired bowling attack, led by Jasprit Bumrah, who claimed 3-42 and finished with eight wickets in the match. Mohammed Siraj supported with 3-51.
“I’m very happy. We were put under pressure in the first innings, but the way we responded was great,” said Bumrah, who captained in place of Rohit Sharma. “We were well prepared, and I told everyone to trust their abilities.”
This victory marked an incredible turnaround for India, who had arrived in Australia after a humiliating 3-0 loss to New Zealand at home. Despite being written off in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, they now head to Adelaide with a huge psychological advantage, especially with Rohit Sharma set to return.
The win was India’s second-ever in Perth and their first since 2008 at the WACA Ground.
Australia’s captain Pat Cummins expressed disappointment, acknowledging that their preparation had been solid, but their performance was below par. “We didn’t give ourselves a chance in a few areas, especially on day one with the bat,” Cummins said.
India dominated Australia’s aging side, which was under intense scrutiny after their poor showing. Australia’s first innings of 104, in response to India’s 150, left them with little to offer. India’s brilliant batting, including a superb 161 from Yashasvi Jaiswal and an unbeaten 100 from Virat Kohli, proved too much to overcome.
“Jaiswal played his best Test innings so far. He left the ball really well,” said Bumrah, praising the 22-year-old. “I didn’t see Virat out of form – it’s tough to judge that on difficult pitches, but he was good in the nets.”
Bumrah’s inspired leadership saw Australia’s batting lineup, which had long relied on individual brilliance, unravel. The hosts resumed on day four at 12-3, with Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith struggling. Khawaja fell early, caught behind off Siraj for just four, and Smith was dismissed by Siraj for 17 after a neat catch from Rishabh Pant.
Head and Marsh fought back with an 82-run partnership, but Bumrah struck again, dismissing Head for 89. Marsh soon followed, out for 47, as Australia’s resistance crumbled.
Mitchell Starc, top-scorer in the first innings, fell cheaply for 12, and the tail was quickly wrapped up in the final session, as India sealed the emphatic victory.
Australia now faces a challenging task to regroup ahead of the second Test in Adelaide, with India carrying a huge momentum shift into the next match.
