O’Kofee knew that it was make or break of his international career before the series began, though he has not played continuously since his debut. But the Aussies management had faith on him and included him in the squad for the important series. And what a match it turned out to be for this 32-year old left-arm spinner at Pune. His dozen wickets – six each was the chief reason for hosts India suffering an ignominious defeat in the first Test.
The Australians had to wait for a dozen years for this to happen on Indian soil. Last time they had won a Test in India was way back in 2004. And incidentally India have’t lost a Test for the last five years on their home territory- the last one they suffered was against England in 2012 at Kolkatta.
Well if the toss proved a bit lucky, one must appreciate the way the Aussies outplayed the hosts in all departments. India never appeared to be safe right through the match, though they succeeded in restricting the tourists below three hundred in their first innings.
Only one half centurian in both the innings was KL Rahul for India. And that shows how dominant Aussies were in the match, skittling the hosts out for low scores both ocassions, thus putting breaks on India’s wonderful run spree.
This is perhaps one of the worst defeats India faced at home as the match ended inside three days.
All contributed for Australia in batting. While captain Steve Smith led by example in both innings, there were useful contributions from Warner, Handscomb, Mitcheel Marsh and Starc.
O;Kofee, the hero of the match was well supported in the second innings by Lyon, who picked four scalps. Starc and Hazelwood also bowled good spells, accounting for important breaktroughs. It was a good team effort by the tourists and Virat Kohli led Indian team have to think seriously before the second Test begins in Bangalore in March first week.
Except Rahul in first and Pujara in the second innings, no batsman including the inform captain Kohli showed any resistance.
If India can’t stop the Australians from further domination their No1 position in Tests ranking, which they earned recently will be in jeopardy.
BY Sudeer Mahavaadi – DD Commentator
