Former Australian cricketer Ricky Ponting has praised India’s remarkable performance in the Perth Test, highlighting how the team has become more adept at playing on foreign wickets and in challenging conditions. Ponting’s comments came after India defeated Australia by a commanding 295 runs in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, despite being bowled out for just 150 runs in their first innings.
Speaking to Star Sports, Ponting noted that Australia’s heavy defeat would undoubtedly be a source of disappointment, while also commending India’s outstanding bowling performance. “Australia lost by nearly 300 runs, so they’ll be very disappointed. Everyone asked me on day one, when India won the toss and chose to bat, and I said, ‘No, absolutely, you have to bat first there.’ Four Test matches have been played at Perth, and the team batting first has won all four times. You don’t want to go against the stats,” Ponting said.
Although India struggled in their first innings, Ponting praised their resilience, especially their bowlers. “Even though India were bowled out for 150, they still got a chance to bowl on the wicket when it was probably at its best for bowling. Bumrah, Siraj, and all three of them, along with Nitish Kumar Reddy, were very good. You’ve got to give them credit,” he added.
Ponting, who had initially been skeptical about India’s chances in the match, admitted that he underestimated their ability to win in Perth, a venue traditionally tough for the subcontinent side. “I must admit, I didn’t think India could win the first Test in Perth with conditions so foreign to them. But I also made a point before the Test that I think India are now a better team away from home than they are at home. I think they handle foreign wickets and conditions better than their own now. And I think that’s been proven over the last week in Perth,” Ponting reflected.
India’s Dominant Performance Despite Early Setback
In the first innings, India won the toss and chose to bat but was bowled out for a modest 150. Key contributions came from Nitish Kumar Reddy (41) and Rishabh Pant (37), who shared a crucial 48-run partnership for the sixth wicket. Australia’s Josh Hazlewood was the standout bowler, claiming 4/29, while Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, and Mitchell Marsh each picked up two wickets.
Australia’s response was disastrous, as they were reduced to 79/9. However, a late partnership between Mitchell Starc (26) and Alex Carey (21) saw Australia reach 104, conceding a 46-run first-innings lead. Jasprit Bumrah was the star of India’s bowling attack, claiming 5/30, while debutant Harshit Rana impressed with figures of 3/48.
India came roaring back in their second innings. KL Rahul (77) and Yashasvi Jaiswal (161) put on a remarkable 201-run opening stand, setting the stage for a mammoth total. Virat Kohli’s unbeaten 100, supported by Washington Sundar (29) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (38*), helped India declare at 487/6, setting Australia an imposing target of 534 runs.
Nathan Lyon (2/96) was the pick of Australia’s bowlers, with Cummins, Starc, and Hazlewood each taking one wicket.
Australia’s Fightback Falls Short; India Clinches 295-Run Victory
At the close of Day 3, Australia was in deep trouble at 12/3, with Bumrah claiming two wickets and Mohammed Siraj one. On Day 4, despite valiant resistance from Travis Head (89) and Mitchell Marsh (47), Australia’s batting crumbled, and they were eventually bowled out for 238. India secured a dominant 295-run victory.
Bumrah (3/42) and Siraj (3/51) were the key bowlers for India in the second innings, with Washington Sundar taking two wickets. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana each contributed with a wicket as well.
Stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah was named ‘Player of the Match’ for his match-winning eight-wicket haul, underlining his crucial role in India’s victory.
With this emphatic win, India took a 1-0 lead in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, sending a strong message to the Australian team ahead of the next Test.