India Dominates Australia by 295 Runs in Historic Test Win; Border and Hayden Criticize Aussie Tactics
India took a commanding 1-0 lead in the five-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy with a resounding 295-run victory over Australia at Optus Stadium. The win was built on outstanding performances from Yashasvi Jaiswal, who scored 161, and Virat Kohli, who hit an unbeaten century (100*) in the second innings. India declared at 487/6 after recovering from a first-innings collapse that saw them dismissed for just 150. Australia, in response, could only manage 238 all out, with Jasprit Bumrah leading the way with 3 wickets for 42 runs. Bumrah’s performance earned him the Player of the Match award, while India registered their biggest-ever Test victory in Australia.
However, the result has not sat well with former Australian captain Allan Border, who expressed disappointment over the team’s inability to contain Virat Kohli during his match-winning knock. Border believes this lapse could prove costly for the Australians in the ongoing series.
“I was really disappointed in the way we let Kohli roll on to a hundred without much resistance,” Border said on SEN radio. “We don’t want this guy full of confidence for the rest of the series.”
Border also questioned the tactics employed by Australia’s captain Pat Cummins, suggesting that they allowed Kohli to regain his rhythm after struggling in the recent series against New Zealand. Kohli’s century marked his seventh in Australia, and the former captain’s resurgence could have a significant impact on the series.
Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden also criticized the field placements during Kohli’s innings, stating that they allowed the Indian star to get off strike easily. “They missed a few tricks with Virat Kohli in the early part of his innings,” Hayden told Channel 7. “Nathan Lyon had mid-on back, one on the off-side catching and a mid-wicket. I felt like it was so easy for him to get off strike.”
Hayden further highlighted tactical lapses in the way Australia dealt with India’s earlier partnerships, particularly Jaiswal, who was vulnerable against the short ball. He felt that Cummins and his team were shell-shocked after the poor batting display in the first innings and had missed opportunities to adjust their strategy.
“They were shell-shocked from the average batting performance (in the first innings),” Hayden added. “Maybe tiny things with Pat Cummins, the ability to think through these decisions… and as we see now, bombs are going.”
As the series continues, the pressure will be on Australia to regroup and address the tactical flaws that have been exposed, especially with Kohli back in form and India looking confident.
