India vs Australia 1st Test Perth Result: For a generation, the WACA ground in Perth was like a balm on that humiliation, where the victory had once again united Indian cricket. Remember that Perth Test match of 2008 when the balls of long-haired young fast bowler Ishant Sharma brought the Kangaroo captain to his knees. That victory in Perth is historic even today, its script was written in Sydney. Where the altercation between Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds had created tension between the two cricket boards. Where the standard of umpiring had gone from bad to worse. There was injustice to Indian players on many occasions. The then captain of India, Anil Kumble had reiterated the statement given by Plum Warner in 1933 that there were two teams playing there, but only one of them respected the spirit of the game. This statement was enough to tell what was India’s stand in that dispute. After all this, India created history in Perth.
The wheel of time has turned and today after 16 years the grounds of Perth have once again become a lifesaver. Perth has again become a ray of hope for today’s generation. The Indian team destroyed the newly built fort of the Kangaroos by trampling them at the new Optus Stadium in Perth. This victory is special because whatever has happened in Indian cricket before this was like a nightmare. For the first time, the Indian team could not succeed in winning even a match in a 3-match series. It can be discussed as to what were the reasons that the Kiwis destroyed the Indian challenge. Team India, which is facing all-round criticism from cricket pundits, gets the label of not being able to play spin and along with it the same clichéd question is asked whether this team is capable of facing the Australian challenge? The answer to which was given in the first test match.
In the absence of Indian captain Rohit Sharma for the first Test, the command was in the hands of Jasprit Bumrah, and he was faced with many questions whose answers were difficult to find. Rahul’s form was a cause for concern, Gill’s injury was a big blow and India had no choice but to give a chance to new faces in the playing eleven. Here India was relaxed also because there was no turn on the Perth wicket against which India had surrendered a few days ago. The pitch had plenty of pace and bounce, which the new era Indian batsmen like a lot. Apart from this, all those records were fresh in the mind, like the new ground of Optus becoming the new stronghold of the Australian team, the excellent record of the Kangaroo players and the important role of the toss. But as the saying goes, “Cricket is played on the field, not on paper.” The one thing which was in the hands of luck was the result of the toss, that luck fell in favor of the Indian captain and without any delay India decided to bat.
What happened after this again brought Indian batting into question. Indian batting was collapsing like a pack of cards in front of the Kangaroo pace battery. On one hand, the beautiful batting of KL Rahul, who was trapped in the maze of questions, was on one end, while on the other hand, Rishabh Pant’s fireworks were going on. India was able to reach 150 runs due to the mature batting of Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was playing his first Test match on Australian soil. In this Test, the “good days” of the Australian team ended here and then began a story which will be remembered for years on the grounds of Perth.
In front of the Kangaroo team that came to bat was Indian captain Jasprit Bumrah, full of indomitable courage, who was scaring the Australian batsmen. The terror of Bumrah’s balls could be clearly seen in his eyes. Bumrah did not even give his best batsman Steve Smith time to breathe. On the first ball, a good length ball came in quickly and showed the way out to Steve Smith. Many former players commenting on that spell of fire-breathing Bumrah compared him with Malcolm Marshall. Harshit Rana, who is debuting here, also has to be praised for the ball which sent Travis Head to the pavilion. That ball was probably the most spectacular ball of this match. The level of India’s bowling was such that after the end of the first day’s play, the Australian team’s score was 67 runs for 7 wickets. Somehow Australia crossed the 100 mark and got reduced to 104 runs due to Bumrah’s claws.
Once again, Indian batting was under question, the question was whether the batsmen would put up with what the bowlers did. After this, that beautiful batting performance started which we say that if there is batting in Test, then it should be like this. India responded to the good bowling of Australian bowlers with intelligent batting. Rahul and Yashasvi hit the Kangaroo bowlers tiringly. Gave respect to the good balls and took the bad balls to their end. The balls were played with a soft hand, the result of which was that even the balls taking the edge of the bat could not travel the path to slip. It was the result of his patience that India could lay the foundation of a big score. Rahul scored a brilliant 77 runs and Yashasvi scored a beautiful 161 runs. These runs were increasing the problems of the Australian bowlers.
The runs were scored by a player who was constantly under question. His weakness against spin was well known. But the Sanjeevani found here in 2014 did its job in 2024 also and Virat Kohli scored a brilliant hundred. Here it is also important to talk about Nitish Reddy on the other end, who removed the burden from Virat with his batting. The Indian team scored 487 runs and gave Australia a huge target of 534 runs.
Even in the second innings, the Kangaroo batting could not stand against the attack of the Indian bowlers. The Kangaroo batsmen were looking absolutely helpless in the last hour of the third day. Then again the same Bumrah came in front of him who is currently the best fast bowler in the world. The batsman who had an average of more than 100 on this Optus ground was not able to understand Bumrah’s balls. Marnus Labuschagne’s record speaks volumes here. He was not able to understand the ball. It is Bumrah’s cleverness that he looked so dangerous. Mohammad Siraj was supporting him at one end. The duo had given the Kangaroos a tough time. At the end of the third day’s play, Australia was on the verge of defeat after scoring only 12 runs at the loss of 3 wickets.
India’s victory on the fourth day was a mere formality. But here Travis Head definitely postponed Australia’s defeat for some time. His 89 runs reduced Australia’s margin of defeat. As soon as Harshit Rana took the wicket of Alex Carey with a beautiful slow ball, India became the first team to destroy the Australian challenge at the Optus Stadium in Perth.
This victory is no less than the victory at Gabba in 2021. Once again India’s Jaiswal, Rahul, Virat, Reddy, Harshit, Siraj and captain Bumrah have hoisted the tricolor of victory in Australia. However, this series is long and India will not make the mistake of underestimating Australia at all. India has once again counterattacked and ended the 16-year drought in Perth.
This victory, along with happiness, is also leaving behind many questions which can be a tough test for the Indian team management. Will Lokesh Rahul’s place be snatched away after the return of captain Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill? Or will Dhruv Jurel have to go out instead of fitting them all in the team? Balls swinging at night in day-night test matches have troubled Rohit a lot in recent times. Will Gambhir and company make any special preparations to deal with him? Because the last day night test was no less than a nightmare for India. At present these questions are in the womb of the future. Apart from this, will the Kangaroo team and Pat Cummins try to make any changes in the team? Will Australia’s unbeaten record be maintained in day-night test matches? What is in front is a historic victory which has made this historic series even more exciting.
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