Australia vs India 2018-19: 5 reasons why India won the first Test

The first of the much-anticipated four-match Test series between Australia and India kickstarted on December 6 at the Adelaide Oval. A contest which was touted as India’s best chances to register a series win down under against a depleted Australian side began on a positive note for the visitors.

Virat Kohli won a rare toss and decided to take full advantage by putting some runs on the board. Though this was the only good thing to have happened for the Indians on the first morning as their top-order was found wanting against some remarkable bowling by the Aussie quicks. The tourists lost four wickets in the first session before Pujara played a gem of a knock to guide his side out of the trouble to be eventually bowled out for 250 in the first innings.

However, Indian bowlers responded to the cause as they restricted the fragile Australian batting order to 235, enabling their side to take a notional lead of 15 runs.

It eventually boiled down to a second innings shoot-out as India started well with a steady start by the openers. Most of the batters came to the party as the centurion from the first innings, Pujara, once again top scored with 71 to set the hosts a record-chase of 323 to take the 1-0 lead in the Test series.

However, Aussie batters showed a better application in the final innings. They hung in but the downfall against a potent Indian attack was inevitable as they were bowled out for 291, helping India win by 31 runs to go 1-0 up in the series.

Here’s a look at five reasons why India won the match:

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#1 Pujara - The Saviour

Pujara scored 194 runs in the Test match

Cheteshwar Pujara has been an indispensable part of India’s scheme of things in Test cricket ever since the retirement of some of the greats during the transition phase in Indian cricket. The No.3 for India holds a healthy record in the sub-continent with pertinent questions over his failure with the bat in the foreign conditions.

However, his recent outings in last three overseas tours have made him look a better batsman than ever on an overseas tour. A rock-solid, typical Test player, Pujara has been the saviour on more than a couple of occasions. His runs have always placed his team in a good stead to win a Test match.

Even in the Adelaide Test, he fought a lone battle in the first innings while others failed to leave any impact. He registered his maiden ton in Australia as he stood tall to negate the Australian attack. It was a Test match to remember for India’s ever so reliable No. 3 as he even continued to play with the bowlers to top score in the 2nd innings with a fine knock of 71.

#2 Ashwin does a perfect job of a stock bowler

The off-spinner bowled more than 70 overs in the game

India went in with three quicks and a lone spinner in R Ashwin to strengthen their batting order with as many as six batters and a wicket-keeper. This meant the spinner had to do the bulk of the bowling with other fast bowlers being rotated from the other end. Ashwin, who was on his third tour down under, felt confident before the start of the Test series.

The off-spinner was determined to make amends to his past exploits in this part of the world. He banked upon on his experience and proved to be a worthy selection for the visitors. He held one end tight to not only build pressure but also account for wickets at crucial junctures of the game.

He bagged three wickets in the first innings for almost nothing of his bowling. He was India’s trump card in the 2nd innings and did some early damage by dismissing Finch and Khawaja to push the hosts on the backfoot.

#3 Indian quicks continue the good work from past 12 months

Finch's stumps rattled by Ishant Sharma

It has been one of those seasons which has seen the coming of age of the Indian pace attack. The experienced likes of Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami, along with newbie Jasprit Bumrah, who possesses a lot of skills with the white ball, have been relentless in their attack throughout the last couple of tours. The year has seen Indian pacers accounting for most wickets by any Indian pace attack in the yesteryears.

Even in the Adelaide Test, the seamers bowled in tandem with the utmost discipline to restrict Australia and gain an upper hand in the Test match. Each one of them was among the wickets. They bowled steady lines and didn’t allow the batters to attack anytime through the entire course of the Test match.

It was a pleasing sign as they eventually reaped rewards with a win in the first Test of the series.

#4 Indian openers laid the platform in the 2nd innings

KL Rahul looked solid in 2nd innings

After a dismal start in the first innings, Indian openers learned quickly from their mistakes and showed patience to see off the new ball in the second innings. It was a more cautious approach that helped them lay the foundation for the batters to follow.

In the first innings, they were out against the ball pitched outside the off stump, in a tempt to chase the delivery. However, it was the other way around on the second occasion as they waited for the opportunities and the balls pitched in their arc.

KL Rahul made the most of it as he scored a well made 44 to get back amongst the runs. M Vijay looked comfortable before edging one to the slips on 18. Both the openers would love to make merry and convert their starts in the upcoming Test matches and give the much-needed impetus at the start of the innings.

#5 Indecisive shot selection by the Aussie batters

Travis

head was the only consistent batter in both the innings for the hosts

The talk before the start of the series was always about which teams bat better to dictate the terms in the series. This was for the first time when India had a certain group of bowlers who have performed consistently to pick 20 wickets on regular wickets. A lead of 1-0 in the series is majorly due to India's improved batting the 2nd innings. However, the Australian batters didn't capitalize to apply themselves better with the bat.

Despite playing in their home conditions, they were caught off guard by some relentless pressure and were forced to play the odd bad shot to throw away their wicket. The likes of Usman Khawaja, Aaron Finch, who should have lead by example, failed to show any intent and choked under pressure. The lower-order did contribute but Indian bowlers proved too good for them to take on.