It was business as usual for Indian bowlers as they got Australia all out for 238, winning India the 1st Test Match at Perth by a massive 295-run margin. It all started with Siraj scalping Usman Khwaja with a bouncer very early in India vs Australia 1st Test Day 4. While Steve Smith, Travis Head and Marsh tried hard to help Australia make a comeback, Indians were unrelenting as they knocked over the hosts soon after Tea. Captain Jasprit Bumrah received the ‘Player of the Match’ award.
Border-Gavaskar Trophy India vs Australia 1st Test Day 4 – Siraj Strikes Early
After a fantastic Day 3 where India dominated Australia throughout the day, India wanted to win the game as soon as possible. India started Day 4 on a great note as Mohd. Siraj induced a false stroke from Usman Khwaja as he could not ride the bounce well in his attempt to play a pull shot. The ball held up in the air and Pant ran a few steps back to take the catch. Indian bowlers continue to probe Smith and Head. However, the experienced duo carried Australia through with some gritty batting.
Head, who was watchful early on, started hitting fours to keep the scoreboard moving. However, Mohd. Siraj broke the partnership with an away-going delivery that took the edge of Smith’s bat to Pant behind the stump. The Pat Cummins-led unit was looking down the barrel at 79 for 5. Meanwhile, Travis Head was comfortable hitting out the Indian bowlers. He completed his half-century and took Australia to 104 for 5 at Lunch. Head was 63 not out at that stage in India vs Australia 1st Test Day 4 at Perth.
Head, Marsh Continue to Pulverise Before Bumrah & Co Reduce Australia to 227 for 8 at Tea
The post-lunch session saw Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh come out hard at the Indian bowlers with fours and sixes. Just when it seemed they had a hang of India and the conditions, Jasprit Bumrah came in with an absolute masterclass that foxed the dangerous-looking Travis Head. The ball was pitched up and bounced extra while Head was attempting to drive. It found the edge and went into the safe hands of Rishabh Pant. Head scored a blistering 89 off 101 balls, smashing 8 fours. Bumrah and India were elated by the fall of Head.
Soon, Nitish Reddy made Marsh chop on to the stump. The ball kept low while Marsh was looking to cut, only managing to drag it back on to the stump. Marsh managed 47 off 67 balls, hitting 3 fours and two sixes. Just as the second session was about to end, Washington Sundar picked the wicket of Mitchell Starc, who was caught brilliantly by Dhruv Jurel at forward short leg. Australia were at 227 for 8 when umpires called Tea on Day 4.
India vs Australia 1st Test Day 4, Final Session – Men in Blue Post a Mammoth 295-run Win to Kickoff the BGT Campaign
The second ball of the final session in India vs Australia 1st Test Day 4 saw Washington Sundar knock Nathon Lyon over for a duck. Lyon played for the turn; however, the ball went straight to hit the off timber. Carey, meanwhile, was taking Australia through with odd boundaries. However, he could not pick the slower delivery from Harshit Rana as the ball went through the gap between bat and pad to knock his stump. Carey was out for 36. India effected a mammoth 295-run win over the hosts Australia to lead the 5-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy 1-0. Jasprit Bumrah was declared Player of the Match for the eight wickets he took in the game.
