Tags: Australia India Tour 2024, Australia vs India, 1st Test at Perth, 22-26 November 2024, Australia, India
Posted on: November 25, 2024
Scorecard | Commentary | graph
The third day at the Perth Stadium will go down in the history of Test cricket as one of the most memorable days for Indian fans and one of the darkest days for Australian cricket. The script unfolded with moments of individual brilliance and collective domination, with Australia underwhelmed by a dominant performance from their visitors.
last ball hit
Australia’s trusty no. 3 Marnus Labuschagne summed up the home side’s chaos. Facing Jasprit Bumrah, he got his arms around a delivery that was stuck vertically in front of the stumps. As the shadowy Optus Stadium looked on, Labuschagne stood frozen and dealt with a moment that seemed emblematic of Australia’s collapsing batting line-up. The collision of the ball against his pad was the final act of the day, sealing India’s lead.
This time it was Bumrah’s show again.. Earlier, Nathan McSweeney and Pat Cummins fell to Bumrah’s accuracy, the latter setting off in heartbreaking scenes as the Australian skipper plodded off, shoulders sagging under the weight of expectation and reality. With his steely presence and unerring accuracy, Bumrah seemed to embody India’s unstoppable force.
Jaiswal’s arrival
The day started with Yashasvi Jaiswal announcing himself on the big stage. The 22-year-old combined flair and technical brilliance to produce a series of dazzling shots. Every boundary he hit was a statement. Every run is a testament to his mettle. Jaiswal’s first Test century on Australian soil was not just an innings, it heralded a future superstar. He surpassed both teams’ first innings totals and left the spectators and Australian bowlers in awe.
Standing tall amid pressure and high expectations from a hostile crowd, Jaiswal looked like the player India had hoped for. His cover drives, bold pulls and graceful flicks lit up the pitch. When he finally went down, the young batsman cemented his place in the hearts of Indian fans and the radar of Australian analysts for years to come.
collie’s class
If Jaiswal’s innings was a revelation, Virat Kohli’s century was a reaffirmation. With Jaiswal and KL Rahul laying the foundation, Kohli showed why he remains one of the most respected batsmen in the game. His 30 test centuries were not mere milestones. It was a warning shot for the rest of the series.
There was no shortage of trademark Kohli moments. There was a sumptuous cover drive from Mitchell Starc, six uppercuts and, the highlight of the contest, a commanding on-drive from Cummins. The importance of his tone was not only in scoring runs but also in the psychological edge it gave India. Kohli’s calm yet determined celebration demonstrated his intentions for the tour.
final act
By the time the Indian bowlers settled down, Australia were already in trouble. Bumrah’s late strike under the fading Perth lights was more than just a wicket. It was an exclamation point on a day when India were in complete possession. As the team reluctantly left the field, led by young Jaiswal, their spirit stood in stark contrast to that of the dejected Australians.
A story of two teams
For India, it was a day of validation and celebration. For Australia, it was a sobering reminder of the work required to compete with a team firing on all cylinders. The gulf between the two sides was stark and the narrative of this Test match, and perhaps the series, appeared to be firmly in India’s hands.
In Perth, this day will be remembered not only for its cricket, but also for the emergence of a new Indian hero in Jaiswal, the resurgence of talisman Kohli and the brilliance of leading man Bumrah. It was a day when everything was going for India, and Australia were looking for answers under the setting sun and the long shadow cast by their own performance.
