India vs. Australia: Within three days, the tourists suffer their first Test innings loss
India defeated Australia by an innings and 132 runs in the opening Test of their four-match series in just three days.
The tourists were bowled out for 91 in their second innings in Nagpur, needing 223 to force India to bat once more. Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin grabbed 5-37.
As Australian wickets fell all around him, Steve Smith was left undefeated at 25.
India was eventually knocked out for 400 after starting the day on 321-7. Todd Murphy, a rookie Australian spinner, finished with 7-124 after collecting two more wickets.
The previous lowest Test total for Australia in India was 93, amassed in a 13-run loss in Mumbai in 2004.
Usman Khawaja, Australia’s opener, was caught by Virat Kohli off Ashwin for five runs in only the second over of their second innings, and things went downhill from there.
In the eleventh over, Ravindra Jadeja successfully trapped Marnus Labuschagne leg before wicket for 17; David Warner advanced to 10 before being similarly dismissed by Ravi Ashwin, leaving Australia 34-3.
In just under two hours, the tourists lost their final seven wickets for a total of 57 runs.
Ashwin finished the game with a match total of 8-79, earning his 31st five-wicket haul in 89 Tests.
Jadeja, a slow left-armer who bowled 2-34 in the second innings, eventually admitted to violating the International Cricket Council’s (ICC) code of conduct during Australia’s first innings and was fined 25% of his match fee and given one demerit point.
The 34-year-old was penalized for using a painkilling lotion on a swelling on his bowling hand’s index finger without first getting approval from the on-field umpires.
The match referee was convinced that the cream was administered to the finger only for medical reasons, according to an ICC statement.
The cream was not put to the ball as an artificial substance, hence it had no effect on the ball’s state.
Full schedule for Australia’s match vs India
Standings for the ICC World Test Championship (external site)
The World Test Championship final, which will take place at The Oval this summer, will be decided in part by the results of the series.
India needs at least a 3-1 victory to ensure qualifying for the World Test Championship championship game. Australia and India are currently the top two teams in the rankings and standings.
The top-placed Cummins team simply needs to draw one of the remaining four Tests to secure their spot.
It’s critical to get off to a strong start when playing a series like this, according to India’s skipper Rohit Sharma, whose 120 helped his team win. I’m pleased with the performance I was able to deliver for the team.
