Not many would have foreseen what unfolded in the final session of the India vs Australia, 1st Test Day 1. The groans and moans were almost audible all across India and beyond, when the visitors folded for a 150-run total at Perth’s Optus Stadium by tea. But what followed would go on to make the fans temporarily forget all that, and revel in the phenomenon that is Jasprit Bumrah.
The 10th-wicket partnership between Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood frustrated the visiting side for well over an hour, but Starc eventually fell for a well-made 26 and the Aussies were all out for 104, their fourth-lowest total against India in Test cricket.
Australia’s lowest totals against India
| Total | Venue | Year |
| 83 | Melbourne | 1981 |
| 91 | Nagpur | 2023 |
| 93 | Wankhede | 2004 |
| 104 | Perth | 2024 |
| 105 | Kanpur | 1959 |
Earlier, India won the toss and opted to bat first on Friday (November 22, 2024). The visitors handed out debuts to Harshit Rana and pace-bowling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy, leaving out the experienced Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja from the playing XI and playing Washington Sundar as the lone spinner instead.
