Jasprit Bumrah Leads India To Thumping Win Over Aussies

PERTH, (ANI) – India made a commanding statement in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Perth, with a sensational 295-run victory over Australia. The hosts, chasing a daunting target of 534, were bowled out for 238 on day four, sealing India’s perfect start to the five-match series.

Australia resumed their innings at 12-3 after a dramatic day three, where Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj had left Australia struggling. Bumrah, who had already been in outstanding form, struck early again, dismissing Usman Khawaja with a bouncer. Steve Smith soon followed, falling to Siraj, and it was clear that Australia’s chances of chasing down the mammoth target were slim.

Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh fought back with a resilient partnership of 82 runs, but the arrival of Bumrah proved decisive. The Indian fast bowler removed Head for 89, leaving Australia on the ropes at 157-6. The hosts were eight-down at tea, and the game was effectively over by the time Harshit Rana bowled Alex Carey, sealing the victory for India and marking the first-ever Test defeat at Optus Stadium for Australia.

Bumrah’s remarkable performance was the highlight of the match. He finished with eight wickets in total, five of which came in the first innings. India’s bowlers had put in a stellar performance, bouncing back from a first-innings total of just 150 to skittle Australia for 104. The Test match had been evenly poised at the halfway stage, but India’s dominance in the second innings tilted the balance firmly in their favor.

With a standout performance from the opening pair of KL Rahul and Yashasvi Jaiswal, India’s second-innings total reached a commanding 487/6, setting the stage for the final push for victory. Rahul contributed 77 runs, but it was Jaiswal who stole the show with a brilliant knock of 161. Virat Kohli, in his first century in 16 months, also made an unbeaten 100, guiding India to an insurmountable position before declaring.

As the series progresses, Australia now faces a tough challenge. They need to win the remaining four Tests to have any hope of reaching the World Test Championship final, while India only needs to win three of the next four Tests to cement their place. With such a dominant display in Perth, India has sent a clear message to Australia that they are here to compete and will be tough to beat in this series. The second Test will take place in Adelaide on December 6, and Australia will need to make a significant turnaround to avoid further setbacks.