The opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 at Perth’s Optus Stadium has showcased thrilling cricket, with India taking the upper hand after a strong batting display. Resuming Day 2 with a marginal lead, India extended their dominance, reaching 343/5 at stumps. A significant moment of the day was Washington Sundar smashing a six off Travis Head, marking India’s powerful march forward.
India’s performance was built on disciplined batting by the middle order. Yashasvi Jaiswal, continuing his remarkable form, added a gritty century to his name, anchoring the innings. Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli contributed with patient knocks, while Rishabh Pant injected flair with quick scoring. Sundar’s composure and ability to capitalize on loose deliveries highlighted his value as an all-rounder.
Australia’s bowlers, led by Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, struggled to contain India’s batters on a surface that progressively eased out. Travis Head was introduced into the attack for his part-time spin, but Sundar capitalized, lofting a ball beautifully over long-on for six, showcasing India’s aggressive intent late in the day.
This dominance follows an impressive bowling effort on Day 1, where Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, and debutant Harshit Rana dismantled Australia’s batting lineup. The hosts, bowled out for just 104 in reply to India’s first-innings 150, found themselves trailing early. Bumrah’s five-wicket haul highlighted the visitors’ precision and control on a pitch offering bounce and movement.
The series opener is significant for its new inclusions. India handed debuts to Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy, with Washington Sundar taking the sole spinner’s role ahead of veterans Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Sundar’s selection appears justified as he not only held his own with the ball but also displayed vital contributions with the bat. For Australia, Nathan McSweeney made his debut but fell cheaply, unable to adapt to the testing conditions set by India’s pace attack.
The day also marked moments of resilience for Australia. Mitchell Marsh and Alex Carey showed glimpses of a fightback in the lower order on Day 1, but their efforts were undone by India’s relentless bowling. On Day 2, Australia’s fielding and bowling were persistent, yet they lacked breakthroughs during crucial partnerships, allowing India to stretch their lead.
With a lead of over 400, India is firmly in control, setting sights on pushing the game out of Australia’s reach. Bumrah’s captaincy on his return to the Test side has been praised for its proactive decisions and his ability to inspire the team in challenging moments. The absence of regular skipper Rohit Sharma, on paternity leave, has not deterred the visitors, as they look poised to continue their dominance in the series.
Adding to the drama of the day, the enthusiastic crowd at Optus Stadium provided an electrifying atmosphere. From cheering Yashasvi Jaiswal’s century to applauding Washington Sundar’s confident batting, the fans added a layer of excitement to every boundary and milestone. The standing ovation Sundar received after his six off Travis Head exemplified the admiration for India’s resilience and flair. The match has not only been a testament to India’s depth in talent but also a reminder of the intense rivalry that defines the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. With three days to play, cricket fans around the world eagerly await more thrilling moments.
India’s approach to the game has also showcased their strategic adaptability. Choosing to bat aggressively despite a formidable Australian bowling attack reflects their confidence in both the pitch and their batting depth. The decision to trust young talents like Nitish Kumar Reddy and debutant Harshit Rana further highlights a focus on the future while maintaining competitiveness. These bold choices not only underline India’s intent to dominate the series but also signal their preparedness to tackle diverse challenges, making this Border-Gavaskar Trophy a blend of tradition and fresh innovation.
As Day 3 approaches, all eyes will be on Australia’s response. The hosts will need a significant effort from their senior players, including Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne, to mount a comeback. India, meanwhile, will aim to press on for an early declaration and give their bowlers ample time to bowl out Australia again. This match sets the tone for what promises to be another fiercely contested Border-Gavaskar Trophy.