After a whitewash at home against New Zealand, Jasprit Bumrah-led India came back in some fashion to stun Australia in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. In Rohit Sharma’s absence, the star Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah shouldered the leading responsibilities, and it would be fair to say that he was simply exceptional.
On that note, let us look at three reasons behind India’s thumping victory over Australia in first Test of the series:
1) Rishabh Pant and Nitish Reddy’s gritty stand in the first innings
India were in deep trouble on Day 1 after being reduced to 73-6, courtesy of some pinpoint accurate bowling from Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc. India needed someone to stitch up a stand, and Rishabh Pant and Nitish Reddy did exactly that.
Rishabh Pant, who has made a stellar comeback post that horrific accident, and Nitish Reddy, on debut, pieced together an invaluable 48-run stand for the 7th wicket.
The pair took on Nathan Lyon and did not let the experience spinner settle in. Rishabh Pant once again displayed some fearless batting, taking on whatever was in his arc. Playing his first ever Test, Nitish Reddy showed brilliant composure as well, scoring 41 runs and becoming India’s leading run getter in the first innings.
This partnership took India to a total of 150, which was no way near the par score, but a respectable total on a Day 1 pitch that was offering significant movement off the pitch.
2) Jasprit Bumrah wreaking havoc with the ball and fellow pacers providing support
With just a 150-run deficit to cover, the Aussies would have come out with a rather comfortable mindset in their first innings. However, they were demolished by the Indian pacers, who were at their relentess best.
Jasprit Bumrah bowled an unplayable opening spell, where he struck thrice to get rid of the debutant – Nathan McSweeney, Usman Khawaja and then Steve Smith, who was trapped LBW for a golden duck.
The pitch was doing its thing, but Jasprit Bumrah’s consistency is something incredible, something that keeps astonishing one time and again. Watching Jasprit Bumrah beat the edge almost every single ball was like watching a magician at work. He showcased his wizardry with some unplayable deliveries that helped India get the first three wickets. He used the crease and angles to perfection, making life difficult for the home side.
This spell set the tone, and put India in a commanding position. Mohammad Siraj and Harshit Rana, the debutant, played their roles to perfection. While Jasprit Bumrah led from the front, this pace duo made sure not to let themselves become a weak link for India.
The Australian batters would have wanted to counterattack against Harshit Rana and Mohammad Siraj to put some pressure back on India, but this pair did not give the Aussies any loose deliveries to cash in on.
Harshit Rana was mighty impressive on debut, and targeted Travis Head’s only weakness – the deliveries zooming in on the off stump, while Mohammad Siraj dismissed Marnus Labuschagne and Mitchell Marsh.
The pacers did not let skipper Jasprit Bumrah down. The home side were bundled out for a mere 104, allowing India to begin their second innings with a 46-run lead.
3) A historic opening stand and Virat Kohli’s 81st ton in the second innings
Despite having a good day with the ball, the visitors still needed to post a good total. The wicket was suddenly losing its bite, and the conditions became more batting friendly. It must be said that it was a brilliant toss to win for Jasprit Bumrah.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul looked assured, and batted magnificently to put together a 201-run opening stand.
This duo became only the sixth visiting opening pair to have a 200-plus stand in Australia. It was also India’s third highest opening stand ever in SENA countries.
Yashasvi Jaiswal once again proved why he is the next big thing in Indian cricket, becoming only the third Indian to bag a ton in their first ever Test on Australian soil. He reaffirmed the talent he possesses, demonstrating the fact that he is capable of shifting gears according to the situation.
He was solid in his technique, and did not bother chasing after tempting, but risky deliveries. He scored 161 runs in this outstanding knock, and took the game away from Australia.
KL Rahul, after all the criticism he has faced over the last couple of years, turned up once again under pressure. He looked like India’s most comfortable batter in the first innings and played 70+ deliveries which took the gloss off the ball and made it softer, and he carried on from where he left in the second innings.
He read the situation and played second fiddle to Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was on absolute fire.
KL Rahul also scored 77 runs in the second innings, and that is a big positive for India ahead of the remaining four games.
While this pair had already inflicted enough damage, Australia’s troubles didn’t end there.
Virat Kohli emerged, asserting his dominance. In no time, he raced away to his 81st international century and his seventh in Australia.
It was a knock oozing with class, like any other Virat Kohli knock. He had come out with a purpose, and one could see that by the way he was regularly pulling, sweeping, reverse sweeping, and upper cutting deliveries.
Having scored his 30th Test century, Virat Kohli would go into the rest of the series full of confidence, which is not, by any means, a good sign for Australia.