Watch highlights: India thrashed Australia at Perth to go 1-0 up in the five-match 2024-2025 Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Opting to bat first on day one, India had a horror start as they were skittled out for 150. Debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy was the tourists’ top scorer, contributing 41 off 59 balls.
Stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah scripted India’s comeback in the match. In a hair-raising new-ball burst, Bumrah first pinned debutant Nathan McSweeney lbw for 10, then dismissed Usman Khawaja (8) and Steve Smith (0) off consecutive deliveries to break the back of Australia’s batting. Australia were reduced to 19-3 before being dismissed for 104. Bumrah finished with five wickets for 30 runs from his 18 overs.
During their second innings, India put up a batting masterclass, spearheaded by Yashasvi Jaiswal (161), who became the only second batter to convert his first four hundreds into 150s. Jaiswal stitched a 201-run opening stand with KL Rahul (77), India’s highest against Australia down under.
Cashing in on the solid platform, Virat Kohli, struggling for form coming into the match, scored a 143-ball 100 not out, his 30th Test ton. The century helped him surpass the great Don Bradman's tally of 29 Test hundreds, drawing him level with Matthew Hayden and Shivnarine Chanderpaul. Reddy remained unbeaten for his 38 off 27 in a rapid 77-run partnership with Kohli in just 8.4 overs. India declared their innings at 487-6, setting up a record target of 534.
Former Australia coach Darren Lehmann believes Joe Root is a level below Virat Kohli as he is yet to make a hundred in Australia.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) November 25, 2024
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In response, Australia lost three wickets for 12 runs in the final session of day three with Bumrah again rising to the occasion. The pacer dismissed McSweeney for a duck and Marnus Labuschagne for three, while Mohammed Siraj eliminated nightwatch Pat Cummins (2).
With a mountain to climb Australia folded for 238 runs on day four, with Travis Head (89) putting up a fight. India's 295-run win was their second-biggest against Australia in Australia. Bumrah again shone with 3-42 and was named the Player of the Match.
Watch complete highlights of the AUS v IND Perth Test here:
Day one
Day two
Day three
Day four
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