Virender Sehwag hails India’s win in Adelaide; praises hosts’ fight towards the end

India on Monday made history by winning the first Test in Adelaide against Australia by 31 runs. It is the first time ever that India won the first game of a Test series played Down Under to take a lead. The last time they took a lead over Australia in an away series was in 2003-04 but that was in the second game though the venue was the same – Adelaide Oval. The entire nation was ecstatic by the win which also made captain Virat Kohli the first Asian skipper to win Tests in South Africa, England and Australia.

Needing 219 runs more to win the match with 6 wickets in hand, the hosts began the concluding day of the match against a determined Indian bowling. Australia were soon rocked as their highest scorer in the first innings, Travis Head fell to Ishant Sharma (the pacer’s only wicket in the innings) for just 14 and the floodgates were open.

Australia’s tail wagged hard again

Half-centurion Shaun Marsh fell for 60 soon after and with the captain Tim Paine also back into the hut at 41, Australia were reeling at 187 for 7 in the 85th over. But the Baggy Greens’ tail-enders did not let it go easily as they held on for over 35 more overs to add 104 runs for the last three wickets before capitulating.

Former India opener Virender Sehwag congratulated India for registering a fine win but also spared a thought for the Australian fight towards the end. Spinner Nathan Lyon, who took 6 wickets in India’s second innings, remained not out on 38 but his partners made his fight short-lived. Australia were eventually bowled out for 291 in the 120th over to concede a lead in the four-match series.

Test Cricket is Best Cricket. Great fight by Australia in the end but India were too good. Winning after being 41-4 in first innings is a special effort. Outstanding Test match for Pujara and great effort from our bowlers. Promises to be a great series #AusvInd pic.twitter.com/PEYzKuBsap

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) December 10, 2018

Sehwag also reminded how India were reduced to 41 for 4 on the first day morning after Kohli won the toss and elected to bat. The top order struggled barring Cheteshwar Pujara who scored a magnificent hundred against the odds to keep India alive in Day 1.

The visitors scored 250 runs in their first innings and then their bowlers did all they could to defend that score and bowl the Opposition out for 235. Pujara was India’s highest scorer with 71 in the second innings too and the bowlers again rose to the occasion after India lost wickets in a heap towards the end.

The Indian bowlers shared the rewards among them with Ravichandran Ashwin and Jasprit Bumrah taking six wickets each, Mohammed Shami five and Ishan Sharma three in the game.

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