India [250, 307] defeat Australia [235, 291] by 31 runs to win the 1st Test

[shariqnoor]

Indians bowled very tight line so it was not as simple as batting same number of overs and scoring 120 extra. Yah, they are defensive and that's due to not having experience in their batting line up.

They were ultra defensive even on hit-me balls. Paine and Lyon in the second innings were easily milking the Indian bowling. Khawaja on the other hand came out completely with a defensive mindset in both innings. When your supposedly best batsman in the team i.e. Khawaja comes out with a mindset of playing at a 25 SR on home soil, then you have no one but to blame yourself. Finch, Khawaja, Marsh are all experienced players. Even Head has played a lot of international cricket. Experience is not an excuse to play at a 2 RPO.

 

[Buffet]

They were ultra defensive even on hit-me balls. Paine and Lyon in the second innings were easily milking the Indian bowling. Khawaja on the other hand came out completely with a defensive mindset in both innings. When your supposedly best batsman in the team i.e. Khawaja comes out with a mindset of playing at a 25 SR on home soil, then you have no one but to blame yourself. Finch, Khawaja, Marsh are all experienced players. Even Head has played a lot of international cricket. Experience is not an excuse to play at a 2 RPO.

5th day and second inning. Bowlers are not fresh and it's easier to milk them. I am not defending defensive mindset at all, but just proving some context here.

Pujara also simply batted defensively in his first inning. He capitalized when bowlers were tired and scored quickly.

 

[Reyansh2017]

For God sake please drop this guy ashwin and bring kuldeep. He can at least clean up the tail with his variations which is a very very big concern for india

 

[Kaptan]

They were ultra defensive even on hit-me balls. Paine and Lyon in the second innings were easily milking the Indian bowling. Khawaja on the other hand came out completely with a defensive mindset in both innings. When your supposedly best batsman in the team i.e. Khawaja comes out with a mindset of playing at a 25 SR on home soil, then you have no one but to blame yourself. Finch, Khawaja, Marsh are all experienced players. Even Head has played a lot of international cricket. Experience is not an excuse to play at a 2 RPO.

Khwaja lost his wicket because he was trying to be aggressive. It's not that easy to just come start rotating the strike specially when you are facing tight line and lengths.

 

[jnaveen1980]

Pujara clearly told the wicket had variable bounce. Some balls reared off the length. Wasn't easy to be aggressive. Each ball from Lyon were like hand grenades. Sharp turn and bounce. Indian fast bowlers set up their wickets nicely. Bowling 4 wides and getting one back in or bowling 4 deliveries on the stump and letting one go away. Very intelligent, thoughtful, aggresisve fast bowling.

 

[MP2011]

Yeah..All those asking Aus bats asking to be aggressive, forget that Indian bowlers were very good with their L&Ls.

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Congratulations to India.

Worst Aussie Top Six that I have ever seen in my life.

But still, India did the job, so well done to them.

Agreed. Worst australian top 6 ever. No wonder they are not a draw in their own country.

 

[RainMan_]

Well played India, congratulations.

But I have to say that Australia were quite unlucky in this test......

1. Warner and Smith r almost 70% of Australia's Batting. Its commendable that they have come this far with their second string side. Well done.

2. Toss was a big factor and that too went against them. I have to say that I haven't seen such garbage pitch in Australia for quite some time. There was nothing Australian about that pitch. Yes, Australian wickets don't have lateral movement, but they r known for being fast and bouncy. But this pitch feels as if it was tailor made for spin bowling. Ball was turning even from day two which is highly unusual for an Australian wicket. It was an win toss and win match type wicket. Expecting better wickets in the upcoming tests.

 

[Tusker]

Well played India, congratulations.

But I have to say that Australia were quite unlucky in this test......

1. Warner and Smith r almost 70% of Australia's Batting. Its commendable that they have come this far with their second string side. Well done.

2. Toss was a big factor and that too went against them. I have to say that I haven't seen such garbage pitch in Australia for quite some time. There was nothing Australian about that pitch. Yes, Australian wickets don't have lateral movement, but they r known for being fast and bouncy. But this pitch feels as if it was tailor made for spin bowling. Ball was turning even from day two which is highly unusual for an Australian wicket. It was an win toss and win match type wicket. Expecting better wickets in the upcoming tests.

India is also without its first choice opener and keeper

 

[Nikhil_cric]

Well played India, congratulations.

But I have to say that Australia were quite unlucky in this test......

1. Warner and Smith r almost 70% of Australia's Batting. Its commendable that they have come this far with their second string side. Well done.

2. Toss was a big factor and that too went against them. I have to say that I haven't seen such garbage pitch in Australia for quite some time. There was nothing Australian about that pitch. Yes, Australian wickets don't have lateral movement, but they r known for being fast and bouncy. But this pitch feels as if it was tailor made for spin bowling. Ball was turning even from day two which is highly unusual for an Australian wicket. It was an win toss and win match type wicket. Expecting better wickets in the upcoming tests.

The only team to have won a series in Australia in recent times (SA) had to win 3 out of 3 tosses to beat OZ 2-1 here. Recently, a Zimbabwe team also won a toss to beat BD in BD

 

[MP2011]

When was the last time an Indian team won the first test of the series played in a SENA country?

 

[Reyansh2017]

When was the last time an Indian team won the first test of the series played in a SENA country?

I think joburg 2007

 

[EliteCynical]

When was the last time an Indian team won the first test of the series played in a SENA country?

Hamilton 2009
Jo'burg 2006
Lords 1986

 

[MP2011]

Hamilton 2009
Jo'burg 2006
Lords 1986

lol, so only 4 such instances in more than 3 decades. No wonder we are BAD away.

 

[MP2011]

Thanks, Reyansh & Elite.

 

[Napa]

And on the other hand Pakistan loses to New Zealand at home.

Be positive buddy, be positive...

 

[Mainul]

They are playing at home and would blank most teams at home. Its their B team is a myth by naysayers. If a test match in India for eg, I would expect India to beat any team even without Kohli or Pujara. So Aussies missing out on Warner/Smith is not that big as it made out to be. On top of that, they are playing all their main bowlers together after a long time.

Yes, a real strong team should win without their top 2 players. But no doubt that Australian batting is very weak without Warner and Smith,it only reflects the darth of tough quality batsmen in Aussie pipeline in domestic circuit. Auatralia played with full pace battery,but their batting is so weak that these bowlers had to bat well to cover it. This Aussie team is pathetic one. This win never ever comes even close to the win of India in Adelaide in 2003. India has been always the best asian touring side to Australia.They have a great chance of winning series in this tour. If they can't ,they will never .

 

[jagatk]

lol, so only 4 such instances in more than 3 decades. No wonder we are BAD away.

Tbf we are dreadful starting any series most of the time, vs eng at home escape with a draw, vs aus at home lost the game.

 

[Napa]

For God sake please drop this guy ashwin and bring kuldeep. He can at least clean up the tail with his variations which is a very very big concern for india

You expect Khawaja to score at an average of at least 45 at home, or a total of 90 in 2 innings. Instead Ashwin got him out both times for a total of 36. The difference of 54 right there is the match. Ashwin has his uses.

 

[rhony]

For God sake please drop this guy ashwin and bring kuldeep. He can at least clean up the tail with his variations which is a very very big concern for india

Ashwin was no where close to Lyon in this test and no where close to Moeen in one of the tests in England. But, he's the best spinner in the team. Don't forget his batting ability. I think we will see Ashwin and Kuldeep in Sydney. Until then I don't see Kuldeep playing especially with the three seamers bowling so well in this test.

 

[Napa]

I am hearing a lot of criticism of the Australian side, but it is not justified. The two teams were quite close. In fact if you take out Pujara's contribution, India would have been far behind the Aussies.

 

[MP2011]

Tbf we are dreadful starting any series most of the time, vs eng at home escape with a draw, vs aus at home lost the game.

Thats why this test win is such a pleasant surprise especially considering Kohli failed twice in this game.

 

[jagatk]

You expect Khawaja to score at an average of at least 45 at home, or a total of 90 in 2 innings. Instead Ashwin got him out both times for a total of 36. The difference of 54 right there is the match. Ashwin has his uses.

I genuinely don't get the whole ashwin criticism going on, the pitch was basically dead with pacers taking wickets either by testing batsmen's patience or surprising them with the short stuff. Bowling to Left handers is all well and good but not much one can do with little and especially slow turn.

 

[Kohli The King of Chase]

Always knew that we'll thrash this Aussie team.

 

[rhony]

I am hearing a lot of criticism of the Australian side, but it is not justified. The two teams were quite close. In fact if you take out Pujara's contribution, India would have been far behind the Aussies.

Indian bowlers created chances to close the game out earlier. Cummins was dropped by Rahul and Lyon was dropped by Pant. Even Tim Paine would have gone had Pant tried to catch the ball with his left hand instead of right. Good teams take these chances. Indian Fielding was a bit sloppy in the last 2 hours.

 

[Smbhayi]

is I'm the only one thinks here actually Ashwin bowled well here?

 

[jagatk]

Ashwin was no where close to Lyon in this test and no where close to Moeen in one of the tests in England. But, he's the best spinner in the team. Don't forget his batting ability. I think we will see Ashwin and Kuldeep in Sydney. Until then I don't see Kuldeep playing especially with the three seamers bowling so well in this test.

Have to disagree, Ashwin outbowled lyon for most part of the game, first innings, ashwin got big wickets beating the batsmen, lyon got wickets off batsmen trying to play t10. Second innings lyon got 2 big wickets but not before the damage was done and he got the use of a much better pitch which completely died down by the time ashwin could actually use the rough.

 

[jagatk]

is I'm the only one thinks here actually Ashwin bowled well here?

Same here, He got tired i think by the second session but very little to fault him for. This wasn't wankhede day 5 turning and spitting pitch, this was a mostly dead wicket with little help for any bowlers.

 

[Napa]

Always knew that we'll thrash this Aussie team.

A bit of humility in victory will serve us well. There are still 3 more games to go.

You can thank the extra effort Pujara made playing for Yorkshire etc. to get familiar with playing conditions abroad. Beating SENA countries in their homes is very difficult, it needs a lot of preparation and effort. What certainly does not help is bragging of the sort "we'll thrash this Aussie team".

 

[Smbhayi]

despite taking 11 catches Pant was average behind the wicket... He needs to improve...

 

[rhony]

Have to disagree, Ashwin outbowled lyon for most part of the game, first innings, ashwin got big wickets beating the batsmen, lyon got wickets off batsmen trying to play t10. Second innings lyon got 2 big wickets but not before the damage was done and he got the use of a much better pitch which completely died down by the time ashwin could actually use the rough.

Don't agree that Lyon got a much better pitch. I have not seen Ashwin land on the rough as frequently and relentlessly as Lyon did. He was difficult to face for expert spin players like Kohli, Pujara and Rahane. Aussie tailenders could handle Ashwin comfortably. Lyon was clearly the better spinner in the 2nd innings

 

[cricketindiafan]

Well played India, congratulations.

But I have to say that Australia were quite unlucky in this test......

1. Warner and Smith r almost 70% of Australia's Batting. Its commendable that they have come this far with their second string side. Well done.

2. Toss was a big factor and that too went against them. I have to say that I haven't seen such garbage pitch in Australia for quite some time. There was nothing Australian about that pitch. Yes, Australian wickets don't have lateral movement, but they r known for being fast and bouncy. But this pitch feels as if it was tailor made for spin bowling. Ball was turning even from day two which is highly unusual for an Australian wicket. It was an win toss and win match type wicket. Expecting better wickets in the upcoming tests.

LOL someone is very hurt. Sorry buddy, be ready for some more pain coming your way during this series.

In the meanwhile, you can bask in the glory of beating a WI side without Gayle, Bravo, Pollard, Russell, Narine and Holder.

 

[Napa]

is I'm the only one thinks here actually Ashwin bowled well here?

I don't care that Ashwin conceded 90 runs for his 3 wickets, I care that he did take the 3 wickets. I am glad he was on the team.

 

[jagatk]

Always knew that we'll thrash this Aussie team.

We did not actually thrash them, no dictionary in the world world defines a 31 run win as thrashing we squeaked through.

 

[jagatk]

Don't agree that Lyon got a much better pitch. I have not seen Ashwin land on the rough as frequently and relentlessly as Lyon did. He was difficult to face for expert spin players like Kohli, Pujara and Rahane. Aussie tailenders could handle Ashwin comfortably. Lyon was clearly the better spinner in the 2nd innings

But he did not get to use the rough much did he, there wasn't any rough to exploit until aussies were 4 down. The pitch part we just have to agree to disagree, lyon bowling in the last session against india on day 3 and first session day 4 was very different, the pitch started dying and by the time ashwin got a chance to use it, it was as bad as most normal aussie pitches rather than what everyone saw day 1 and day 2.

 

[Swashbuckler]

LOL reading through the thread it seems Ashwin is the softest target, convenient punching bag. He had a great test match, bowled brilliantly in the 2nd innings and decently in the 4th innings accounting for the dangerous Usman Khawaja both times. Pitch got flatter/slower and he bowled a marathon spell giving the batsmen no space to breathe. I watched Lyon bowl both times and I won't say he outbowled Ashwin at all, we were in charity mode against him while Aussies gave lots of respect to Ash. 87 overs, 149 runs, 6 wickets (5 against top order including Australia's best batsman twice cheaply) in a match where the final margin was only 30 runs is monumental effort. The control he gave to Kohli can't be captured by final wickets column and 87 overs in sweltering Adelaide heat is praiseworthy.

But the most important contribution was his 25(76) in our 1st innings, we were 127/6 when he entered and with our non-existent tail there was a serious threat of getting bowled out under 150 !!!! That partnership with Pujara which also consumed many overs was the turning point of the match, just when Aussies were preparing their finishing move our defiance messed their plans. Again stats won't cover the context and importance of his vital runs in the 1st innings. All in all a great test match for Ash, the criticism is unwarranted.

 

[Kohli The King of Chase]

We did not actually thrash them, no dictionary in the world world defines a 31 run win as thrashing we squeaked through.

It was thrashing. Their tail was saving them and delaying the inevitable. Stats don't tell the truth.

 

[Smbhayi]

also aus missing trick by not playing Mitchell Marsh.. they should drop Finch and select Marsh..India lost to Sam Curran in England..

 

[BaankeJi]

Australian team is surely weak due to absence of it's two main batsmen.
But winning against Australia in Australia is always tough. It's a prize in world of cricket.

 

[jagatk]

also aus missing trick by not playing Mitchell Marsh.. they should drop Finch and select Marsh..India lost to Sam Curran in England..

Sam curran could bat junior marsh can't both though are mostly conditions based bowlers.

 

[jagatk]

Can't believe people are actually defending Ash here.
He was bowling crap. His line and length were wayward. Lyon was pitching almost every ball on or near the rough area over after over after over, that's how you apply pressure on batsmen. Ashwin could not pitch two consecutive deliveries on the same area.

And lol Lyon got wicket because batsmen were playing t20 remind me how did Ashwin got Khawaja's wicket ? Finch was not even out. )

Khwaja got out because ashwin and pacers from the other end completely had him bogged down with no real run scoring, Sharma hit a six off the ball before getting out the next one, Pant on the other handed wants to be sehwag without the hand eye co-ordination of sehwag. Second innings he got kohli and pujara but only after they did their jobs for most part, everyone else was in a hurry to get out for some reason.

 

[Swashbuckler]

Can't believe people are actually defending Ash here.
He was bowling crap. His line and length were wayward. Lyon was pitching almost every ball on or near the rough area over after over after over, that's how you apply pressure on batsmen. Ashwin could not pitch two consecutive deliveries on the same area.

And lol Lyon got wicket because batsmen were playing t20 remind me how did Ashwin got Khawaja's wicket ? Finch was not even out. )

If Ashwin was wayward his economy rate wouldn't be 1.7 this match. Lyon was way too short, he wasn't hitting the rough consistently apart from a few spells here and there. Of course Ashwin couldn't hit the same spot consistently because Australia had left-right combo while India had 10 RHBs. We saw what spots Lyon was hitting when Pant was at the crease in tandem with Pujara/Rahane.

Khawaja was deceived in flight, Khawaja was stifled in the lead up to that delivery, Khawaja is a top order batsman especially dangerous in Aussie pitches. Indians in the 2nd half of yesterday's innings were in brainless mode, gifting wickets liberally. Don't even bother about the mode of dismissals because clearly Lyon received more gifts across both innings.

 

[Bhaag Viru Bhaag]

Aus fought hard but it was India's test to lose right from the start. Australia will be feeling the pressure now.

 

[Ab Fan]

Well played India, congratulations.

But I have to say that Australia were quite unlucky in this test......

1. Warner and Smith r almost 70% of Australia's Batting. Its commendable that they have come this far with their second string side. Well done.

2. Toss was a big factor and that too went against them. I have to say that I haven't seen such garbage pitch in Australia for quite some time. There was nothing Australian about that pitch. Yes, Australian wickets don't have lateral movement, but they r known for being fast and bouncy. But this pitch feels as if it was tailor made for spin bowling. Ball was turning even from day two which is highly unusual for an Australian wicket. It was an win toss and win match type wicket. Expecting better wickets in the upcoming tests.

Good point about toss. It indeed played an important role in South Africa and England, although things were favouring more towards the opposition end, than to India.

So, if we use this trick, then by no bias rule, same logics should be used in those series as well.

 

[Amjid Javed]

Congrats India on excellent win, they should look to win series from here, I can see Aussies main batsmen putting up to much fight in this series.

 

[Sidilicious]

I am still concerned how we allways allow the tail to score runs. Time and again we did it in England. In both the 1st and the 4th test, it was lower order runs that rally hurt us.

Here again, despite having them 6 down for 150 odd, we allowed them to score another 140 runs.

 

[Sidilicious]

Also, I do not think India played any better than they did in the 1st test against England.

While bowling, we had both England and Australia in deep trouble. We still allowed them to score an extra 100 runs over a span of 2 innings.

While batting, in the 1st innings, only 1 batsman delivered. The only difference was how we batted in the 2nd innings, and the fact that we were not chasing this time around. Had we lost the toss, I am sure it would have been an exact replica of the 1st test against England, and the 1st test against SA.

Overall, I do not see any significant improvement.

 

[Napa]

Also, I do not think India played any better than they did in the 1st test against England.

While bowling, we had both England and Australia in deep trouble. We still allowed them to score an extra 100 runs over a span of 2 innings.

While batting, in the 1st innings, only 1 batsman delivered. The only difference was how we batted in the 2nd innings, and the fact that we were not chasing this time around. Had we lost the toss, I am sure it would have been an exact replica of the 1st test against England, and the 1st test against SA.

Overall, I do not see any significant improvement.

Entire improvement has been Pujara's performance.

 

[Perth93]

2003 win?
Only happened coz Oz were missing both McGrath and Warne. India always gets lucky with their Oz tours.

 

[jagatk]

2003 win?
Only happened coz Oz were missing both McGrath and Warne. India always gets lucky with their Oz tours.

we faced a invincible Australian Team in 2001 without our main fast bowler and our best spinner missing, if you are good enough you can beat whatever is infront of you especially at home, don't moan about it just because this team isn't, also if you don't want this to happen maybe don't use a sandpaper to cheat or take banned substances.

 

[jagatk]

Entire improvement has been Pujara's performance.

Its basically been a spate of bad selections until now, put ashwin in the 2014 first test ashwin's batting could have won us the game, put pujara in that england test we win that game.

 

[Hasan123]

Well done to India. They deserve the win. Let's see how the Australian selectors and team react.

 

[JibranAnsari]

Well done india.

 

[Hitman]

2003 win?
Only happened coz Oz were missing both McGrath and Warne. India always gets lucky with their Oz tours.

You beat us in 2004 with the biggest thorn in your flesh, SRT missing the first 2 Tests because of a tennis elbow. And after we were routed in the first 2 Tests, he was rushed back in the team, and India managed to win the last Test.

Yet we don't make that an excuse.

 

[Cuts_and_cuts_hard]

is I'm the only one thinks here actually Ashwin bowled well here?

Completely agree. Surprised at the criticism in this thread. Itvwas clear watching the game that the turn afforded became very slow today. He did a good job bowling long economical spells and keeping one end tight. Allowed the pacers a lot of room to attack and remain fresh.

He bowled 52 overs for only 90 runs. He performed his role well.

 

[Cuts_and_cuts_hard]

Pujara was the clear matchwinner. One of the best tons I have seen by any subcontinent player in Australia. Very clutch player.

Wish we had even one batsmen with his temperament and skill.

 

[hadi123]

Fair play. Congrats to India. Great game of Test cricket.

 

[barah_admi]

What a month of test cricket. Pak v NZ just played one of the best test series of the year and now this. India have one of their best ever wins, albeit against a weakened Australia, a team that almost pulled off a victory of their own.

India are now in the drivers seat.