India have won the first Test against Australia at Perth, coming back after a home series whitewash to clinch the game by 295 runs. Here are the major takeaways from the game.
Bumrah is God
“I only believe in Jassi [Jasprit] bhai, game changer player he is.”
Mohammed Siraj’s sincere words in broken English after India’s T20 World Cup win to pay tribute to arguably the best Indian pacer has gone viral on social media and not without reason. Time and time again, across varied conditions, match situations and formats, Bumrah has been the player to bring India back into the game, inspiring his troops around him, as a result.
It was the case in Perth as well. After India were shot out for 150 in the first innings, a dreadful few days loomed ahead, but stand-in skipper Bumrah, relishing the additional responsibility, picked the first three wickets, including striking Steve Smith plumb in front golden duck. Though the conditions assisted the quicks on day one, it still needed a crafty bowler to maximise the opportunities and it would not be an exaggeration to say his spell played the biggest role in India’s win, especially with the pitch easing out for batting on day two.
In the second innings, Bumrah set up Head, who was frustrating India, perfectly. He bowled straight, not offering Head any room outside the off stump. He then sent down a short ball before bowling a length delivery that had width, forcing the batter to play a backfoot drive, which led to his dismissal.
As captain, he was proactive, selflessly even sacrificing the end with more assistance and bounce to his other quicks on day four, earning plenty of praise. Bumrah, who needed two more wickets for another five-for in the second innings, instead gave the ball to the youngsters in the last ten overs of the game, allowing them the opportunity to shine.
India came into the series with doubts over their bowling attack and question marks over Bumrah's ability to single-handedly carry most of the burden. Safe to say, all doubts have been erased and all questions have been answered.
Rana, Reddy show that they belong
India had plenty of selection calls to make for the Perth Test and the management surprised many by handing caps to two debutants - Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana. Both had limited first-class experience behind them but the gamble paid off as the youngsters played pivotal roles, showing they were ready for the big stage.
Reddy made 41 first up, top-scoring from either side in the first innings, going after his shots on a pitch that had plenty of spice. In the second, he accompanied his idol Virat Kohli who got to his hundred, himself playing an unbeaten hand of 27-ball 38 as India needed quick runs before declaring. His ability to play fearlessly despite the situation and for not backing away under pressure has set him up for a bright future ahead. He was also handy with the ball and looks very much like the answer to India’s seam all-rounder woes for the near (and maybe even distant) future.
Rana was also in his element - aggressive, not afraid to look the opponents in the eye and bowl quick. He hit the deck hard and troubled the batters with bounce, once even forcing a well-set Head to exclaim “Ooh bounce” during his knock. He was expensive in the fourth innings, though, struggling with his line and lengths but he has plenty to offer, especially on these wickets, as was evidenced by the jaffa with which he got Head out in the first innings.
The new King has arrived, the old King is back
Australia has traditionally been the country where greats separate themselves from mere mortals. Yashasvi Jaiswal’s phenomenal rise culminated with him leaving his mark on Perth’s shores after a brilliant 161 in the second innings. After being dismissed for a duck in the first, it was imperative, for India and himself, that Jaiswal took his time and batted long in the next essay. He proceeded to do exactly that, taking 297 balls to make his fourth 150-plus score, his emotional celebration on reaching his hundred portraying what it meant. After 15 Tests, he averages 58.07 with 1,568 runs and it is fair to say that Jaiswal is here to stay, and rule.
It was also the story of the return of the original King, Virat Kohli. Kohli has seen his fortunes decline in the last few years, with his Test average slipping below 47 before the start of the series. Having gone 16 months without a hundred, Kohli’s spin game was also in question and the Australia tour was expected to be a turning point, either pushing him deeper into the abyss or allowing him to find his feet once again. In the second innings, he batted like the Kohli of old, increasing his scoring speed as a declaration loomed, reaching his 81st hundred with a big beam. With four more Tests to go in the series, these are ominous signs for the Australians.
Australia's engine room is shot
Australia’s senior players Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne have not been in the best of forms, averaging 29.38 and 23.57 respectively in the last year. Their manner of dismissals in the Perth Test further cast doubts over the mental state they are in and their place in the XI.
Labuschagne struggled for his 52-ball two in the first innings and was dismissed lbw without offering a shot in the second. Smith, on the other hand, had a big trigger movement in the first innings and was trapped lbw first ball. In the second, he was unable to keep off a back-of-a-length delivery that angled into the off stump before straightening.
Skipper Pat Cummins downplayed the lack of contribution but with Usman Khawaja not in the greatest form either, averaging 30.60 in the last 12 months, the engine room of Australia's batting at home seems to be well and truly shot.
Australia’s bowlers tire out
Ahead of a long Test series, teams often want to set the narrative up front, taking the momentum with them as they go further into the competition. India’s batters took the initiative, batting for long periods, tiring out the ageing Australia bowlers in the process. The troika of Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc bowled a combined 111.4 overs, with Nathan Lyon further bowling 44 overs.
Michael Vaughan has questioned Australia’s team unity after Josh Hazlewood’s comments following their poor display on day three of the Perth Test.
— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) November 25, 2024
Read here ➡️ https://t.co/yBACK3luwJ pic.twitter.com/iy4W17ZZDr
India's second innings lasted 134.3 overs in all, making it the third-highest number of overs Australia have bowled in a home Test innings where all four have played.
In contrast, five India bowlers, in total, only bowled 110 overs across the two innings, ensuring fresher legs for the second Test. Though 11 days remain for the next game, Australia will not only need to physically and mentally recuperate but also look at the reasons why they were less effective at home against a comparatively inexperienced bowling attack.
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