INDIA: Australia secured a momentous victory over India in the Indore Test, chasing down a target of 75 runs with ease on the third day of the match.
India’s hopes of defending the target rose early on the third morning as R Ashwin struck in the second ball of the day to send Usman Khawaja back to the pavilion.
However, the wicket proved to be India’s only moment of joy as the Australian batting line-up put up a commanding display to secure the win.
Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne were initially kept in check by Ravindra Jadeja and Ashwin.
But once the duo settled in, they began to dominate the Indian bowlers, finding the boundary at will.
Head took on Ashwin with a four and a six in the same over, while Labuschagne hit Jadeja over the ropes.
The sudden run flow caught the spinners off-guard, who had also gotten the ball changed after ten overs.
However, Ashwin continued to operate from one end, but even he could not stem the flow of runs.
Head smashed Umesh Yadav for a boundary through the cover area to move closer to his fifty.
However, Labuschagne finished the game by lofting Ashwin over midwicket before his partner at the other end reached the milestone.
With this, Australia sealed their first series win and condemned India to their third home defeat in six years, two of which have come against a Steve Smith-led Australian side.
The victory also secured Australia’s position in the World Test Championship final at the Oval in June this year.
Nathan Lyon played a crucial role in the win, picking up a magnificent 8-64, his second-best Test figures.
The Australian bowling attack supported Lyon well by not allowing the Indian batters to settle in at any point in the game.
For India, Cheteshwar Pujara played a masterful inning on a spinning pitch, scoring 59 runs and taking the fight to the Australian bowlers.
However, a moment of brilliance from Steve Smith, who took a stunning catch on a leg slip, ended his defiance.
Despite Pujara’s efforts, India could only muster 163 runs in their second innings, leaving Australia with a target of just 75 runs to win.
The Australian victory is a significant milestone in their cricketing journey as they continue to rebuild their side after the ball-tampering scandal in 2018.
The win will give them a much-needed confidence boost as the team looks ahead to their upcoming series against South Africa.
Also Read: Australia Dominates India on the 1st Day of the 3rd Test Match at Indore
