Tags: India tour of Australia 2024,
Australia vs India, 1st Test at Perth, Nov 22-26, 2024,
Australia,
India
Published on: Nov 25, 2024
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The third day at Perth Stadium will be etched in the annals of Test cricket as one of the most memorable for Indian fans and one of the darkest for Australian cricket. The script unfolded with moments of individual brilliance and collective dominance, leaving Australia reeling under the weight of a crushing performance by the visitors.
The Last Ball Blow
Marnus Labuschagne, Australia’s dependable No. 3, encapsulated the home team’s disarray. Facing Jasprit Bumrah, he shouldered arms to a delivery that trapped him plumb in front of the stumps. As the shadowed Optus Stadium watched on, Labuschagne stood frozen, processing a moment that seemed to symbolize Australia’s crumbling batting lineup. The ball thudding into his pads was the final act of the day, sealing India’s ascendancy.
It was Bumrah’s show once again. Earlier, Nathan McSweeney and Pat Cummins fell to Bumrah’s precision, the latter departing in a poignant scene as Australia’s skipper trudged off, shoulders slumped under the weight of expectations and reality. Bumrah, with his steely presence and unerring accuracy, seemed to embody the unstoppable force that India had become.
Jaiswal’s Arrival
The day began with Yashasvi Jaiswal announcing himself on the big stage. The 22-year-old displayed a dazzling array of shots, combining flair with technical brilliance. Every boundary he struck was a statement; every run a testament to his temperament. Jaiswal’s maiden Test century on Australian soil wasn’t just an innings — it was a herald of a future superstar. He outscored both teams’ first innings totals and left the crowd, and Australia’s bowlers, in awe.
Standing tall amid the pressure of a hostile crowd and high expectations, Jaiswal looked every bit the player India had hoped he would be. His cover drives, audacious pulls, and elegant flicks lit up the stadium. When he eventually fell, the young batter had ensured his place in the hearts of Indian fans and a spot on the radar of Australian analysts for years to come.
Kohli’s Class
If Jaiswal’s innings was a revelation, Virat Kohli’s century was a reaffirmation. Walking in with the foundation laid by Jaiswal and KL Rahul, Kohli showcased why he remains one of the most revered batters in the game. His 30th Test century wasn’t just a milestone; it was a warning shot for the rest of the series.
There was no shortage of trademark Kohli moments: a sumptuous cover drive off Mitchell Starc, an uppercut for six, and a commanding on-drive off Cummins, the highlight of the lot. The significance of his ton lay not just in runs but in the psychological edge it provided India. Kohli’s celebration, subdued yet assertive, spoke volumes about his intent for the tour.
The Final Act
By the time the Indian bowlers took over, Australia was already on the ropes. Bumrah’s late strikes under the fading Perth light were more than wickets; they were exclamation points on a day that India utterly owned. As the team walked off the field, led reluctantly by the young Jaiswal, their spirits were in stark contrast to the despondent Australians.
A Tale of Two Teams
For India, it was a day of validation and celebration. For Australia, it was a sobering reminder of the work needed to compete against a team firing on all cylinders. The gulf between the two sides was stark, and the narrative of this Test match, perhaps the series, seemed to be firmly in India’s hands.
This day in Perth will be remembered not just for the cricket played but for what it symbolized: the arrival of a new Indian hero in Jaiswal, the resurgence of their talisman Kohli, and the brilliance of their spearhead Bumrah. It was a day when everything clicked for India, leaving Australia searching for answers under the long shadows cast by the setting sun and their own performance.
