tags: India’s tour of Australia in 2024,
Australia v India, 1st Test in Perth, 22-26. November 2024,
Australia,
India
Published: November 25, 2024
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The third day at the Perth Stadium will go down 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 from the visitors.
Last shot of the ball
Marnus Labuschagne, Australia’s reliable No.3, described the disarray in the home team. Facing Jasprit Bumrah, he raised his hands to a delivery that trapped him in front of the off stump. As a shadowed Optus Stadium watched, Labuschagne stood frozen, processing a moment that seemed to symbolize Australia’s crumbling batting line-up. The ball that hit his pads was the final act of the day, sealing India’s rise.
It was Bumrah’s show once again. Earlier, Nathan McSweeney and Pat Cummins fell to Bumrah’s accuracy, the latter departing in a poignant scene as the Australian skipper walked away, shoulders slumped under the weight of expectation 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 started with the announcement of Yashasvi Jaiswal on the big stage. The 22-year-old displayed a brilliant array of shots, combining flair with technical brilliance. Every boundary he hit was a statement; every race is proof of his temperament. Jaiswal’s first Test century on Australian soil wasn’t just an innings – it was a harbinger of a future superstar. He surpassed the first innings totals of both teams and left the crowd, as well as the Australian bowlers, in awe.
Standing tall amid the pressure of a hostile crowd and high expectations, Jaiswal looked the way India had hoped he would. His saves, daring pulls and elegant shots lit up the stadium. When he eventually fell, the young batsman secured his place in the hearts of Indian fans and a place on the radar of Australian pundits for years to come.
Kohli’s class
If Jaiswal’s innings was a revelation, Virat Kohli’s century was a reaffirmation. Coming in with the foundations laid by Jaiswal and KL Rahul, Kohli showed why he remains one of the most respected batsmen in the game. His 30th Test century was not just a milestone; it was a warning shot for the rest of the series.
There was no dearth of iconic Kohli moments: a sumptuous cover drive from Mitchell Starc, an uppercut for six and a commanding on-drive from Cummins, the highlight of the series. The significance of his ton lay not only in the runs but also in the psychological sharpness he gave to India. Kohli’s celebration, subdued but assertive, spoke volumes about his intent for the tour.
The final act
By the time the Indian bowlers took over, Australia were already on the attack. Bumrah’s late strikes under the fading light of Perth were more than goals; were cheers on a day India completely owned. As the team walked off the field, led by a reluctant young Jaiswal, their mood was in stark contrast to the despondent Australians.
A tale of two teams
It was a day of affirmation and celebration for India. For Australia, it was a sobering reminder of the work required 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 not only be remembered for the cricket played, but for what it symbolised: 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 of the setting sun and their own performance.
