Key Moments from India’s Dominant Performance in First Test Against Australia

Key Moments from India’s Dominant Performance in First Test Against Australia

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127th over: India 423-6 (Kohli 68, Ntish 10)
Matthew Hayden is gearing up to return to the commentary box, and that signals my cue. As Haydos famously noted, “the game stands on the coalface of anticipated change,” a sentiment that resonates just as oddly as Australia’s bewildering performance this innings. In a grand finale, Ntish showcases his power with a colossal six as I pass the airwaves back to Angus.

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Updated at 09.41 CET

Wicket! Washington. 29. Bowled Lyon.

In a moment of wild recklessness, Sundar swings mightily, only to find himself clean bowled. Lyon, after a frustrating wait, finally earns the reward he deserves for his bowling efforts.

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125th over: India 406-5 (Kohli 66, Washington 27) Australia continues to offer overthrows, a reflection of the sluggishness and disorganization that has been on display for the past two days. Mitchell Marsh, injured yet determined, is grinding away while Kohli and Washington calmly dismantle his deliveries, effortlessly picking him apart. Only the slow outfield manages to deny Washington a well-deserved boundary.

Australia’s Mitchell Marsh defied injury to bowl on day three of the first Test against India. Photograph: Trevor Collens/AP
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Updated at 09.36 CET

122nd over: India 396-5 (Kohli 62, Washington 20) Kohli begins this over with a glorious cover drive that perfectly illustrates textbook batting technique. Starc’s tempting deliveries outside off stump are met with unwavering confidence as Kohli attacks with intent.

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121st over: India 390-5 (Kohli 56, Washington 20) Washington moves about the crease, attempting to assert himself, but Lyon’s skillful bowling keeps him under tight control. The spinner has shown tremendous consistency and deserves a bit of luck.

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121st over: India 389-5 (Kohli 55, Washington 20) This pitch is behaving quite strangely now; a delivery from Starc rolls innocuously along the ground. It’s reminiscent of the MCG pitches from the early 1980s. One thing remains clear – chasing 450 plus on this track is a daunting prospect.

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120th over: India 388-5 (Kohli 54, Washington 20) This marks Kohli’s 31st Test half-century, complementing his 29 Test centuries. Together, he and Washington have forged a solid partnership of 67 runs, successfully stabilizing the innings after a moment of uncertainty for India.

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119th over: India 387-5 (Kohli 53, Washington 20) Starc is having a laborious outing, with figures that read 1 for 104. The toll of the day is evident on him; he appears utterly exhausted.

A weary Mitchell Starc tries to contain the relentless flow of runs as India stretches their lead in the first Test. Photograph: Trevor Collens/AP
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Updated at 09.14 CET

118th over: India 385-5 (Kohli 52, Washington 19) Lyon has Washington poking and prodding, but the Aussie spinner just can’t seem to catch a break.

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50 for Kohli!

Incredibly, Kohli has responded gloriously after a lengthy slump. Though Lyon has managed to trouble him at times, Kohli’s overall demeanor has been loose, compact, and composed – a much-welcomed return to form for the King.

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116th over: India 377-5 (Kohli 49, Washington 14) The pitch has begun to turn sharply at intervals. The duel between Lyon and Kohli is captivating, although Lyon seems unable to buy any luck.

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115th over: India 375-5 (Kohli 47, Washington 14) With a commanding lead of 421 runs, the pressure is palpable for the Australians as they face an unprecedented challenge. Cummins wraps up the over with a couple of tired bouncers, highlighting Australia’s fraught position.

Australia’s Pat Cummins reflects on the difficulties faced by the team as Virat Kohli leads India to a substantial advantage in the first Test.
Photograph: Dean Lewins/EPAShare

Updated at 09.12 CET

114th over: India 375-5 (Kohli 47, Washington 14) Lyon has produced some exceptional bowling, albeit without any rewards, as he also concedes four byes after a sharply turning delivery unsettles both batter and keeper.

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113th over: India 368-5 (Kohli 45, Washington 14) Despite a few more byes, it’s tough to place blame on keeper Carey; some erratic bowling from the Australian captain leads to an additional four runs courtesy of an inside edge.

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111th over: India 359-5 (Kohli 40, Washington 14) The latest over from Cummins was largely uneventful as shadows creep across the field. India appears steadfast in their pursuit of building their lead.

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A shoutout goes to some loyal readers, including Paul Moody, enjoying his time in Kampot, Southern Cambodia, and Simon Land, who both share my sentiments regarding Hayden’s commentary. Also, a mention to Finbar Anslow, in chilly Piedmont where temperatures hover at 2 degrees; it appears there’s a hint of schadenfreude from our global audience at Australia’s current struggles.

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Tea: India 359-5 (Kohli 40, Washington 14)

Consequently, India heads to tea holding a commanding lead of 405 runs with five wickets remaining. Australia exhibited patches of positivity during the initial stages of this session, only for the visitors to subsequently regain full control. Kohli is on the verge of completing his much-needed half century at a rapid pace, while Sundar shows deftness in rotating the strike effectively. For this session, they have added 84 runs but lost four wickets, yet they stand poised for victory in this Test match.

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109th over: India 358-5 (Kohli 40, Washington 13) Hazlewood has come across one of those cracks that are starting to emerge in the pitch. A thought crosses our minds; Jasprit Bumrah would be relishing an opportunity like that. Hazlewood has exhibited good tight bowling, clearly the standout from Australia’s bowlers today.

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108th over: India 358-5 (Kohli 40, Washington 13) With a lead of 402, India is now advancing steadily towards the tea break. Australia experienced a brief moment of optimism about an hour ago; however, India has since stabilized their position. Ominously for the hosts, Kohli has rediscovered his confidence and form.

Virat Kohli asserts his dominance as India continues to construct a significant lead on day three of the first Test. Photograph: Trevor Collens/AP

Updated at 08.21 CET

107th over: India 355-5 (Kohli 38, Washington 12) Head is introduced back into the attack, but Kohli flicks a beautiful shot through mid-wicket. Only the slow outfield prevents him from securing a boundary, a true indicator of his favorable form.

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Updated at 08.15 CET

106th over: India 352-5 (Kohli 35, Washington 12) In remarks that amplify his knack for the obvious, Matt Hayden compares the recent Indian setback against New Zealand to a “pandemic.” His commentary is as ineffective as the Australian current efforts in the match.

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104th over: India 350-5 (Kohli 34, Washington 11) With Head continuing to bowl, the Indian batters easily accumulate singles, and any prior momentum Australia possessed seems to have dissipated entirely.

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103rd over: India 347-5 (Kohli 33, Washington 9) The fascinating duel continues between Lyon and Kohli. Kohli skillfully rolls his wrists and executes a sled-sweeping shot for four runs, a rarely displayed shot from his batting repertoire.

Virat Kohli showcases his skills on day three of the prestigious Border-Gavaskar Trophy series in Perth. Photograph: Dean Lewins/EPAShare

Updated at 07.56 CET

103rd over: India 343-5 (Kohli 29, Washington 9) Travis Head is underwhelming with his bowling, while the Indian duo manages to dominate him, with Sundar hitting a lofted six over mid-wicket. Interestingly, the relatively new ball seems ineffective in the current situation.

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101st over: India 334-5 (Kohli 27, Washington 2) With a dismissive slash, Kohli clears the ropes and sends the ball soaring over the boundary, placing extra pressure on boundary security. The high-stakes situation presents challenges for those on boundary duty while Kohli is in full flow.

Nathan Lyon assists a security guard who was hit in the head by a six from Virat Kohli on day three of the first Test. Photograph: Dean Lewins/EPAShare

Updated at 07.52 CET

100th over: India 326-5 (Kohli 20, Washington 1) India’s lead stretches to 372 runs. Historically, only four successful run chases exceeding 400 runs have occurred in Test cricket. South Africa once achieved this feat at the WACA back in 2008, but given the current form of Australia’s top order, it would demand an extraordinary effort.

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99th over: India 325-5 (Kohli 19, Washington 1) Starc makes his reappearance and generates a couple of half chances; notably, a tentative shot from Kohli just evades Smith, further encapsulating the mounting pressure on the Australian side.

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98th over: India 324-5 (Kohli 17, Washington 1) Lyon’s impressive turn and flight have sparked a flicker of energy in the Australian ranks after things had turned sluggish. Nonetheless, India’s top scorer from the first innings has yet to bat, ensuring that depth remains in their batting lineup.

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97th over: India 321-5 (Kohli 16, Washington 0) In an impressive over from Cummins, the Australians have managed 4 for 46 in this session, bringing a glimmer of hope where previously it seemed lost entirely.

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WICKET! Jurel LBW b Cummins 1 (India 321-5)

Cummins successfully traps Jurel, who contests the call. Although the ball is angling down leg, it barely grazes leg stump and is deemed enough for the decision. Cummins had kept him guessing brilliantly leading up to that point.

Australia’s captain Pat Cummins is celebrated for his successful appeal against India’s Dhruv Jurel. Photograph: Trevor Collens/APShare

Updated at 07.22 CET

96th over: India 321-4 (Kohli 16, Jurel 1) Lyon comes into the attack and strikes immediately, achieving wickets on the first ball of both sessions, demonstrating Australia’s urgency and depth during this match.

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WICKET! Pant St Carey b Lyon 1 (India 320-4)

Pant’s reckless shot is compounded by brilliant glove work from Carey. The Indian’s failure here is notable; he’s rarely been so ineffective when on Australian soil.

India’s Rishabh Pant is stumped by Australia’s Alex Carey following the delivery from Nathan Lyon. Photograph: Trevor Collens/APShare

Updated at 07.13 CET

95th over: India 320-3 (Kohli 16, Pant 1) In characteristic fashion, Pant charges at Marsh from the very first ball. A hapless delivery from Cummins slips past Carey for four byes. Time for beverages, and I warmly invite you to join in. India now has a sizeable lead of 366 runs.

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Updated at 07.06 CET

WICKET! Jaiswal c Smith b Marsh 162 (India 313-3)

Jaiswal misjudges a fetchable delivery, gifting an easy catch to Smith at backward point. While the shot may have been careless, his innings was influential, securing the balance of this challenging Test match.

India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal basks in the cheers of the Perth crowd after his remarkable performance, finishing with 162 runs. Photograph: Trevor Collens/APShare

Updated at 07.00 CET

93rd over: India 312-2 (Jaiswal 161 Kohli 15) Kohli produces another stunning straight drive. In response, Cummins, visibly struggling during this innings, needs to adjust his length for better effectiveness. Jaiswal then slams him through the covers for four, raising the total to 312.

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Updated at 07.07 CET

92nd over: India 301-2 (Jaiswal 155 Kohli 10) In the commentary booth, Hayden sits, reiterating what most observers can see; India is firmly in control, boasting a lead of nearly 350 runs. Kohli is in good touch today, eager to pile on runs following a momentary lapse with a wild swing and miss from Jaiswal.

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Updated at 07.07 CET

91st over: India 299-2 (Jaiswal 155 Kohli 9) Pat Cummins is now on the attack as Hayden returns. Kohli makes a lovely cover drive for three, but a slashing shot from Jaiswal registers as a missed chance for Carey; securing runs seems increasingly difficult for Australia.

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Updated at 07.07 CET

90th over: India 292-2 (Jaiswal 151 Kohli 6) Marsh ably returns from injury concerns but still shows signs of discomfort. Against the two in form batsmen, it’s an uphill fight for him. Kohli plucks an easy single while Jaiswal hits his own.

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150 for Jaiswal! 88th over: India 288-2 (Jaiswal 150 Kohli 4)

Jaiswal impressively reaches his milestone – 150 runs in a Test match. It’s a trend when he crosses the hundred mark; he tends to bury the opposition by accumulating runs swiftly thereafter.

Yashasvi Jaiswal is greeted with congratulations from Virat Kohli upon reaching 150 on day three of the Test. Photograph: Trevor Collens/APShare

Updated at 06.52 CET

87th over: India 278-2 (Jaiswal 143, Kohli 1) Jaiswal remains remarkably composed as he opens after a disappointing duck in the first innings. Hazlewood persists on testing, having been the standout performer among Australia’s bowlers today. But young Jaiswal deftly manages to navigate both leaving and attacking balls, while Kohli successfully finds the single with a cheer erupting in response.

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86th over: India 276-2 (Jaiswal 142, Kohli 0) Jaiswal shows no sign of intimidation despite losing his partner and approaches another major milestone swiftly. Kohli’s batting has become cautious, experimenting with shots outside his crease while Starc’s tight over provides no further inspiration.

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85th over: India 275-2 (Jaiswal 141, Kohli 0) A bright start for Australia, yet they remain a daunting 325 runs and eight wickets behind, laden with pressure. Kohli’s cautious approach is amplified by flashing at an outside-off delivery; he isn’t the dominant force today that we are used to seeing.

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84th over: India 275-2 (Jaiswal 141, Kohli 0) Hazlewood’s arrival marks the showdown: Hazlewood versus Kohli – the hopeful against the reigning champion. With an audible uptick in excitement from the Optus Stadium, Kohli shows restraint for the initial four deliveries, eventually sending the last ball flashing by but with no runs amassed.

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WICKET! Padikkal c Smith b Hazlewood 25 (India 275-2)

An uninspired first ball of the session proves costly for Paddikal, who is lethargic after the break and edges to Smith at a backward position. The Australians finally claim a breakthrough as the anticipated arrival of King Kohli looms.

Josh Hazlewood secures the vital wicket of Devdutt Padikkal, striking first ball after lunch. Photograph: David Woodley/Action Plus/REX/Shutterstock
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Updated at 06.12 CET

A curious observation during lunch, courtesy of Gervase Greene enjoying Sydney’s pleasant warmth…

Jaiswal’s superb century is commendable, though I couldn’t help but notice during his bow while gesturing to the crowd that he sported a watch on his left wrist. Perhaps he’s now timing these centuries to the literal minute. He’s swiftly growing accustomed to making them – or, could this be clever marketing by a tech firm?

India’s Yashasvi Jaiswal revels in his moment after scoring a century – complete with a wristwatch – on day three. Photograph: Trevor Collens/APShare

LUNCH: India are 275-1 (Jaiswal 141, Padikkal 25)

India has enjoyed another prolific session, effectively draining the energy from Australia as they confidently accumulated 103 runs, extending their lead beyond 300 runs and sealing a firm grip on the match. Jaiswal’s remarkable century, achieved with a cheeky ramp shot over slips for six, stands out as a highlight. He continues to pile on the runs, entering lunch unbeaten at 141. Fellow opener KL Rahul provided crucial support, scoring 77 before Starc managed to catch his edge. Even at that point, Australia displayed neither the energy nor vigor to celebrate adequately. Under the sweltering Perth sun, Pat Cummins’ squad appears overheated and somewhat demoralized, especially with Kohli waiting as the next batter. On top of that, Mitchell Marsh’s ongoing injury has sidelined him for a significant part of the morning, threatening his capabilities in both batting and bowling. With first-choice allrounder Cameron Green already absent throughout the season, Marsh’s potential unavailability could complicate matters further for Australia as they face a long day ahead.

Following an invigorating session, it’s time for a refreshment break and a quick snack. We will return shortly for the next session.

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Updated at 05.35 CET

84th over: India 275-1 (Jaiswal 141, Padikkal 25) Starc’s first delivery goes wide and short, prompting Padikkal to unleash a shot to the boundary for FOUR. Starc quickly adjusts, firing a pitch-perfect yorker that Padikkal skillfully defends. Adding allure to the session, India has now pushed the score to 103 runs, leading by a commanding 321 runs.

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83rd over: India 268-1 (Jaiswal 141, Padikkal 17) The conclusion of the session approaches, prompting Australia to hunt for another wicket to enter the lunch break with a psychological advantage. Hazlewood presses hard, with Padikkal successfully getting through as the pressure escalates.

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82nd over: India 267-1 (Jaiswal 141, Padikkal 18) Starc resumes, and Jaiswal strikes out, revealing his dominance. Starc launches with aggression, but Jaiswal meets the challenge and annihilates the loose delivery with poise. Every run secured is further deflating for Australia, desperately seeking their second wicket.

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Updated at 05.18 CET

81st over: India 263-1 (Jaiswal 137, Padikkal 17) Josh Hazlewood takes first use of the new ball. He attempts to work the off stump line that caught Padikkal’s wicket earlier. However, he delivers a couple of wayward balls yielding four byes each, frustrating the keeper and inciting new nervousness in the Australian camp.

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80th over: India 255-1 (Jaiswal 137, Padikkal 17) As the final over approaches before the availability of the new ball, Travis Head aims for his 13th Test wicket. Jaiswal confidently taps a single, followed by Padikkal, boosting India’s score while pressing their lead to a staggering 301 runs with nine wickets remaining. This crucial moment spells a tough battle ahead for Australia, whose chances continue to dwindle.

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Updated at 05.07 CET

How did ⁢KL Rahul’s partnership ⁣with Jaiswal contribute to India’s dominant ⁣position in the match?

Al negotiates safely. Despite Australia’s efforts, Jaiswal’s confidence shines as he seamlessly navigates the innings, showing no signs of backing down.

WICKET! Rahul c Smith b⁣ Starc 77‌ (India 258-1)

KL Rahul’s determined innings comes to⁣ an end‍ as he edges a climbing delivery from Starc to Smith. His solid partnership with Jaiswal has ‌been crucial ‍in building India’s commanding lead.

India’s KL Rahul walks off after ⁢contributing a ‌significant 77 runs in the‌ innings. Photograph: Trevor ‌Collens/APShare

Updated at 05.10 CET

80th over: India 256-0 (Jaiswal ‍140, Rahul 77)‍ With every⁤ passing over, the pressure mounts on Australia. Jaiswal continues to pile‍ on runs while Rahul, buoyed by his partner’s form, shows good intent as⁤ well. A boundary from Rahul edges them ‍closer to 300.

Updated‍ at ‌04.55 CET

75th over: India 240-0 (Jaiswal 130,⁤ Rahul 70) With their openers looking settled well, India’s scoreboard ticks over consistently. Jaiswal is particularly aggressive, reminiscent of some of his​ best‌ performances, while Rahul plays a supportive role as⁣ they build a formidable‌ partnership.

Updated at 04.45 CET

WICKET! Shubman Gill c ⁣Carey b Starc 46 (India 241-1)

Shubman Gill’s promising innings comes to an abrupt ​end as he edges a short ball to Carey behind the stumps. His dismissal ​puts some pressure back on India as they look ⁣to rebuild after being in a solid position.

India’s Shubman⁤ Gill, who made ‌46 runs, is dismissed by Starc under pressure. Photograph: Trevor Collens/APShare

Updated at 04.30 CET

70th over: India ‌230-0 (Jaiswal 125, Gill ​45) Jaiswal continues to ⁣dominate the ​attack, ⁣while Gill looks ⁣to⁣ capitalize on⁣ his opportunities. Australia is struggling to find any breakthroughs.

Updated at 04.20 CET

60th over: India 200-0 ‍(Jaiswal 110,⁢ Gill 30)‍ With Jaiswal moving into ⁢three figures, he ‌leads ‍the assault while Gill plays a measured innings. ‌Their understanding at the crease highlights India’s strong position.

Updated at 04.00 CET

India appears to‍ be in⁢ complete control. ⁢Jaiswal’s century is⁢ pivotal, showcasing his ⁣immense talent and maturity‍ as a player. The openers have set a solid foundation,⁤ and with a stellar middle order waiting to follow,​ a substantial total seems on the cards.

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