The cricketing world witnessed a monumental shift as India clinched a historic victory against Australia in the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 at Perth’s Optus Stadium. Under the astute leadership of Jasprit Bumrah, India not only secured a stunning 295-run win but also marked Australia’s first-ever Test defeat at this venue. This match set the tone for an exciting series and significantly impacted the World Test Championship (WTC) standings.

India’s victory at Perth: A tale of two Innings

The match began with high hopes for Australia after they bowled India out for a mere 150 runs on the first day. However, their joy was short-lived. Bumrah and his bowlers unleashed a fierce counterattack, dismissing Australia for just 104 runs in their first innings. This remarkable turnaround gave India a crucial 46-run lead, showcasing the team’s resilience and determination to bounce back from early setbacks.

In the second innings, India’s opening pair of Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul displayed exceptional skill, forging a monumental partnership of 201 runs. Rahul contributed a solid 77 runs, while Jaiswal dazzled with an impressive 161, further establishing himself as a key player for India. The stage was set for Virat Kohli, who, despite recent struggles, found his rhythm and scored an unbeaten century off just 143 balls. This marked Kohli’s 81st international ton and his tenth against Australia, solidifying his legacy as one of cricket’s greats.

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India’s dominance with the ball

With a daunting target of 534 runs set for Australia, Bumrah’s bowling attack proved too formidable. The Australians crumbled under pressure, quickly losing wickets to Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. Travis Head‘s valiant effort of 89 was overshadowed by a lack of support from his teammates, leading to their collapse at 238 all out. Washington Sundar played a pivotal role in dismantling the tail-enders, securing two wickets and sealing India’s emphatic victory.

World Test Championship (WTC) standings: A shift in power

This resounding win has significant implications for the World Test Championship standings. Following this match, India ascended to the top position with a points percentage (PCT) of 61.11%, having won nine out of their fifteen matches. Australia slipped to second place with eight wins from thirteen matches and a PCT of 57.69%.

As the series progresses, both teams will be eager to assert their dominance in this prestigious trophy. India’s triumph not only boosts their confidence but also sets a challenging precedent for Australia as they aim to reclaim their standing in world cricket.

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