Australia suffered a humiliating defeat by an innings and 132 runs in the opening Border-Gavaskar Test against India at VCA Stadium, Nagpur on Saturday (February 11).
Ravindra Jadeja ran through the Australian batting line-up in the first innings, picking a five-wicket haul (5-47) to bundle out the visitors for a paltry 177.
After India took a massive first-innings lead of 223 runs, it was R Ashwin’s turn to demolish the Aussies with the ball. The veteran off-spinner returned with the figures of 5 for 37 in his 12 overs as the hosts bowl out the tourists for a mere 91 to wrap the match inside three days.
After the game, Australia batter Steve Smith acknowledged that Australia’s performance in the first innings wasn’t up to the mark especially when the pitch was fairly good for batting.
“Our batting in the first innings wasn’t up to the mark. I don’t think 170 was enough. There weren’t as many demons as there, probably, were today. The few of us who got in and got started didn’t go on with it. We needed to get somewhere around 300 and put pressure on Indian batters,” Smith was quoted as saying to Star Sports.
For India, Rohit starred with the bat as he slammed a glorious hundred (120) while Ravindra Jadeja (70) and Akshar Patel (87) scored half-centuries.
“Rohit, Jadeja, and Akshar all played beautifully, and had good methods for how they went about things,” Smith added.
Steve Smith, who scored 37 and 25* across the two innings, cited that the Australian batters needed to be braver and more proactive in their approach.
“If the wicket is good, particularly in the first innings, that’s where we have to get the bulk of the runs. In the second innings, you have got to be a little braver, and proactive, trying to put pressure back on the bowlers as much as possible.
“When they are able to bowl six balls at a batter, they really enjoy that, they feel like they are in the game. So, it’s necessary to put some pressure back on them. Try and find areas where you can get off strike,” Smith stated.
The second Test is scheduled to be played in Delhi from February 17.
