India’s stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah was proud of the way his team responded after they were put under pressure in the first innings by Australia in the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar series at the Optus Stadium, Perth.
The visitors were skittled out for a meager score of 150 runs but the Indian bowlers were right on the money to skittle out the opposition at 104. Jasprit Bumrah led from the front as he returned with impressive figures of 5-30 in the first innings and played a key role in putting his team in front.
Subsequently, India posted a gargantuan score of 487-6 in the second essay after Yashasvi Jaiswal scored a magnificent knock of 161 runs. KL Rahul also scored a crucial knock of 77 runs and added 201 runs with his opening partner, Jaiswal, which is now the highest opening alliance for India in Australian conditions. Furthermore, India’s talisman Virat Kohli completed his 30th Test century as he scored an unbeaten knock of 100 runs.
Australia was skittled out for 238 runs in the second essay as India registered a huge win of 295 runs to go 1-0 up in the five-match Test series. Bumrah was once again brilliant as he returned with figures of 3-42.
Bumrah bagged a total of eight wickets in the match and he was also awarded Player of the Match for his outstanding bowling show.
He said in the post-match presentation, “Very happy with the beginning. Were put under pressure in the first innings, but the way we responded after that – very proud. Played here in 2018. I remember that when you start here, the wicket is a little soft and then it gets quicker and quicker. Was relying on that experience. This wicket was a little less spicy than the last one. We were really well prepared so I was telling everyone to have faith in their process and ability.”
Bumrah added, “On a given day, experience does matter, but if you have faith you can do something special. Can’t ask for anything else. Jaiswal has had a great start to his Test career. This was his best Test innings probably. He left the ball – he has an attacking nature, but he left the ball well and played long. About Virat – I didn’t see him out of form at all. On challenging wickets it’s hard to judge if a batsman is in form. He was looking good in the nets. Always enjoy the support (from the crowd).”
The second Test match between Australia and India, which will be a pink-ball game, will be played at Adelaide Oval from December 6 onwards.
