Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25: India Stuns Australia with Record-Breaking Win

India vs Australia is one of cricket’s greatest rivalries, culminating in the Border Gavaskar Test series which is second only to the Ashes in terms of recognition and prestige. The historic series has seen much drama, excitement, and controversy whenever it is contested, and this time, with India currently touring down under, is no different.

In the first Test match in Perth, India recorded their biggest-ever win against Australia as visitors, with a stunning 295-run triumph over the Kangaroos. Their run of good form in Australia was something we expected to see continue, but the margin of victory was unexpected and is the second-biggest away win in Indian cricketing history. 

Aussies Pasted in Perth

For the Kangaroos, the signs looked good on day one. Australia’s bowling attack was sharp, backed up by tight fielding which at one point seemed devastating. 

India was wrapped up within two sessions, all out for 150, with old stalwarts failing to make much of an impact, and new boy-wonder batsman Yashasvi Jaiswal out for a duck off just eight balls. 

Australia’s performance in that first innings will perhaps be overlooked given the disaster that ensued. Few expected India to lead going into the second innings, but they did, with Australia limping to 104 in their first knock. Figures of 5-30 for Jasprit Bumrah, the captain leading by example, devastated the Australian order, and they never really regained a foothold in the match. 

Perhaps bolstered by a stirring display in the field, India batted with renewed energy, forging a decisive second innings with a total of 487-dec, with centuries for Jaiswal and Virat Kohli, the former with a sparkling 161, making good on his promise. 

This put the result firmly out of doubt’s way — India had set the Aussies a massive 534-run target and had themselves more than two full bowling days to knock over the required wickets, three of which fell on day three, including a duck for new opener Nathan McSweeney, who had a debut to forget. 

A stubborn 86 for Travis Head did little to stem the flow, and Australia were gone for 238, 295 shy of the target. The capitulation becomes the biggest margin of victory for an Indian touring side in Australia, and their second-largest away win of all time. 

Can Australia Turn It Round?

India has enjoyed great success down under over the last decade, and the result itself wasn’t the main concern for commentators. The manner of the defeat, however, raises serious questions for an Australian side with promise and experience in its ranks. 

The lengthy wait for the next Test (tickets available here) has only exacerbated the post-mortem, and many point to the fragility of the top order in the last year. The inability of the batsmen to back up and consolidate a strong bowling performance is a talking point. Perth marks the fourth and fifth times the top order has crumbled well shy of a ton, reaching feeble totals of 47-6 and 79-5 in the first and second innings respectively. 

But discount Australia at your peril. As per Sportsbet, the latest Test match odds going into the second round are much the same as they were before the series began, and the Aussie sporting makeup is built on grit, resilience, and determination to upset the odds. The players, coaches and selectors will know that the task ahead is a big one, but the Border Gavaskar showdown is known for its twists and turns, and there is a lot of cricket still to play in the series. 

Can India Capitalise?

Who knows what the mood in the Indian dressing room was like at tea on day one, especially given that they’d come into the series on the back of a 3-0 defeat at home to New Zealand. Whatever was said in that interval must have done the trick, as the response was brilliant. Stand-in captain Bumrah bowled sublimely, and his bowlers backed him up brilliantly. India’s field was tight and highly effective, and the side was tactically astute throughout Australia’s two innings.

India’s squad will receive a boost prior to the first over in Adelaide. Regular captain Rohit Sharma looks set to return after the birth of his child and has been in training with the squad. And Shubman Gill, who was sidelined with a thumb injury for the first Test, may also be back in contention. 

The Indian team has shown what they’re capable of, and it all depends on how much Rohit is prepared to mix things up. What’s certain is that they have the strength and depth among their ranks to cause serious problems for Australia as the series progresses. What’s also abundantly clear is that they have seized the initiative and will come to Adelaide full of belief. 

India played sublime cricket in the first Test round in Perth, with a record-breaking victory over old rivals Australia. The next Test is tantalisingly close, and should give us an indication as to whether India can rout the Aussies, or if the Kangaroos can summon all their powers to force their way back into proceedings.