Steve Smith-led Australia have managed to make a comeback in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023 with a resounding nine-wicket victory in spin-friendly conditions at Holkar Cricket Stadium, Indore. The 76-run target did not trouble confident Australian batters as India lost the Test in the first session itself and chased the target down easily.
Labuschagne, Head lead Australia to victory
Ravichandran Ashwin got India's hopes up with the wicket of Usman Khawaja for a two-ball duck. The outside edge landed in wicketkeeper Srikar Bharat's gloves. After Khawaja’s wicket, Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head ensured that India don’t make a comeback. Head remained unbeaten for 49 off 53 deliveries whereas Labuschagne scored 28 runs to wrap up the run chase in little over an hour.
Kuhnemann’s maiden fifer, Indore pitch stuns India
On Day 1, Rohit won the toss and opted to bat first. The plan backfired on a pitch that turned square right away and deteriorated at an alarming rate. While there were a few unplayable deliveries like the one Lyon bowled to Pujara to dismiss him.
Few Indian batters got off to decent starts but could not convert them into a big score. Left-arm spinner Kuhnemann rushed through the batting lineup with Lyon playing second fiddle. It was Yadav's little cameo that helped India cross the 100-run mark. Indian batters could survive for little over one session as they got all out for 109. Kuhnemann starred with his maiden fifer.
Australia collapse after Khawaja masterclass
Australian opener Usman Khawaja resisted the sweep and played a brilliant knock of 60 on tough conditions. India rued Jadeja's no ball which gave Marnus Labuschagne a second life when he was batting for naught. At the end of Day 1, Australia were 156/4. The visitors gave away the advantage on Day 2 morning as they lost six wickets for 41 runs and got all out for 197. While Jadeja got four wickets on Day 1, Ashwin and Yadav picked three wickets each to restrict Australia’s first innings lead to 88 runs.
Lyon’s eight-fer overshadows Pujara’s gritty fifty
In India’s second innings, only Pujara had the patience to grind it out with his 59-run knock. He used his feet well while wickets kept falling on the other end. Lyon was at his best taking eight wickets to register his second-best bowling figures on Indian soil.
While Lyon was on a wicket-taking spree, two brilliant catches from skipper Smith and Khawaja took the game away from India. Khawaja’s catch stopped a rampant Shreyas Iyer whereas Smith got rid of Pujara. On top of it, sending Axar Patel at no.9 did not make sense as he remained stranded on one end. India got all out for 167 and could set a non-threatening target of 76.
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