India strike first blow to Australia in BGT, win series opener in Perth by 295 runs

India has done the unthinkable by beating Australia at the Optus Stadium in Perth by 295 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the five-match BGT 2024/25. Captain Jasprit Bumrah starred with the ball, picking eight wickets in the game, as India took one step closer to directly qualifying for the WTC Final 2025. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli struck hundreds, hitting 161 and 100*, respectively.

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Chasing 534, Australia knew it was never going to be easy, and Bumrah’s twin strike later on day three made things even worse for the hosts, who were reeling at 12 for three at stumps. The Oz began day four losing Usman Khawaja in the second over. The left-handed opener looked clueless since the offset, mistiming a pull shot only for Rishabh Pant to pluck it. Mohammed Siraj picked his second wicket of the day with Steve Smith on 17, with Australia going into lunch on 104 for five.

India’s nemesis, Travis Head, completed his fifty by then and with Mitchell Marsh around, the pair looked to turn things around for the hosts. Though they did the damage with an 82-run stand for the sixth wicket, Bumrah returned to pick up Head’s wicket on a well-made 89.

19 runs later, all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy removed Marsh, bowled on 47, while Washington Sundar removed Mitchell Starc on 12, putting Australia’s back against the wall. The offie quickly got rid of Nathan Lyon on a duck before Harshit Rana bagged the last wicket to see India win perhaps their greatest win Down Under.

Run to the top

India began miserably at the Optus Stadium by getting all out on 150 inside two sessions on day one. They, however, made a stunning comeback in the game by reducing Australia to 67 for seven at stumps on day one, with India's skipper picking up four out of them. The ace seamer completed his five-for, his ninth in SENA countries, with India wrapping up the Oz on 104 in reply.

Meanwhile, the second innings turned the tide in India's favour. Making most of the 46-run lead, India scored 487 for seven declared, with Jaiswal and Kohli completing respective tons. A handy unbeaten 37 from Nitish Reddy helped India’s cause, as they gave a daunting 534-run target to Australia. 

With the hosts surrendering the first game, India will take the lead and face Australia next in the Day/Night Test in Adelaide starting December 6.