IND VS AUS: India beat Australia by innings and 132 runs; take 1-0 lead in four-match series
Nagpur (Maharashtra), February 11: A fiery five-wicket haul from Ravichandran Ashwin, combined with all-round brilliance from Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, helped India clinch a massive win by innings and 132 runs in the first three days of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy first Test against Australia at Nagpur, after the visitors were bowled out for 91 runs before the end of the second session on Saturday.
India now has a 1-0 lead in the four-match series. Australia got off to a shaky start in the second innings, attempting to overcome India's 223-run lead. Ravichandran Ashwin began Australia's downfall by dismissing Usman Khawaja for five runs off nine balls. Australia was 7/1.
Marnus Labuschagne was the next man up, and he maintained his strong form by slamming three huge boundaries. Ravindra Jadeja's golden arm, however, did the trick once more, trapping the world's number one Test batter lbw for 17 off 28 balls. Australia was 26/1.
Ashwin then went on to dismiss David Warner (10) and Matt Renshaw (2) in quick succession. Australia was gradually choking under spinner pressure and had fallen to 42/4, with a mountain of runs still to climb.
Smith's boundary helped Australia reach 50 runs in 16.2 overs.
Ashwin took his fourth wicket of the match, dismissing Handscomb for the fourth time in the inning. Australia was in big trouble at 52/5, trailing by 167 runs.
Australia's downward spiral appeared to have no end in sight after Ashwin trapped Alex Carey for ten runs. The Australians were reduced to 64/6.
Jadeja and Axar joined Ashwin, and the trio devastated the Aussies. Axar dismissed Todd Murphy, while Jadeja picked up Cummins.
Mohammed Shami shook Nathan Lyon's stumps for 8 runs. Shami delivered one final blow to Australia, dismissing Scott Boland for a duck. Australia were bowled out for 91 runs in 32.3 overs. They were defeated by an innings and 132 runs.
- ANI
