In the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT 2024–25) in Perth, Team India’s stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah made history by humbling Australia in their own territory. Notably, on Monday, November 25, Australia had seven wickets remaining as they chased a target of 500 or more.
The Indian openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, put the Australians in the rearview mirror with a remarkable 201-run stand for the opening wicket after both sides were bowled out quickly in their first innings.
Talking Points
1. Centuries from Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli
As the star Indian batsman Virat Kohli regained his batting groove and ended his century drought by smashing an incredible undisturbed century (100*) in the second innings on Day 3, their bowling problems only got worse. Bumrah made the decision to declare the innings shortly after, which meant that Australia was pursuing an enormous goal.
2. Jasprit Bumrah’s bowling, Travis Head’s resistance
Day 4’s second innings saw the Australian team’s hitting problems persist. After showing promise in the opening innings, Jasprit Bumrah carried on and took three wickets, leaving Australia struggling to recover in the run chase. Only the explosive Travis Head, who scored 89 runs to demonstrate some resistance before Australia was bowled out for 238 runs to lose by a thumping margin of 295 runs, had the guts to take on the Indian bowling attack. Team India became the first team to experience triumph at Perth’s Optus Stadium with this.
Who Said What?
Losing skipper, Pat Cummins said:
Fairly disappointing. Prep was good, all firing, fair bit to look at as lots didn’t go right. Gap is what it is. You want to get on the horse but we will take a couple of days’ rest and get training in Adelaide. We didn’t give ourselves a chance in a few different facets – like the finish on day 1 with bat. There’s a lot of experience in the side, they’re going about it well, there will be lots of conversations on what we can do better in same conditions.
Player Of The Match & Winning skipper, Jasprit Bumrah said:
Very happy. We were put under pressure in the first innings, but the way we responded was great. I played here in 2018 – I remember the wicket started soft. This one was less spicy, we were really well prepared. I told everyone to keep faith in your ability. Jaiswal’s best Test innings so far, he left the ball well, I didn’t see Virat out of form – difficult to judge that on difficult pitches. But he was good in the nets. We always enjoy the support from the crowd, when the backing is there we feel good.
India
