After India's 295-run win in the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test in Perth, former India batter Sunil Gavaskar has claimed that the side plays at its best when pushed to the corner by the Australian media. Team India was under immense pressure after the embarrassing 0-3 home Test series defeat to New Zealand recently.
It led to several members of the Aussie media and even others predicting the hosts' domination of the Indians at home in the five-Test home series. Yet, according to Gavaskar, India have historically produced their best when backed into a corner by the Australian media.
Following the first Test, Gavaskar told India Today (as quoted by nine.com.au):
"Now remember that Suryakumar Yadav catch in T20 World Cup final. There was so many things being written in the media in Australia question the legality of that catch. How can you sitting right here in Australia question if Suryakumar's feet touched the ground? That is why our team showed that we are a side [that] will thrash you in this series."
He added:
"Remember India's win at Perth in 2007-08 series came right after that controversy between Harbhajan Singh and Andrew Symonds, which was followed by criticism from Australian media. So that win in Perth, and the win this time, it shows that each time Australian media goes against India..."
The Perth win was India's third victory in the last four Tests against Australia Down Under, dating back to their remarkable 2-1 win after trailing 0-1 in 2020-21.
How Team India scripted a remarkable victory in Perth
The Perth Test against Australia was anything but straightforward for Team India after they were bowled out for a paltry 150 in their first innings. However, led by a buoyant Jasprit Bumrah, the visitors fought back to bowl Australia out for 104 in their first essay.
With the game hanging in the balance, India produced a masterful batting display, scoring 487/6 (declared) in their second innings to set Australia a daunting target of 534.
The Indian bowlers then dominated again, bowling the hosts out for a sub-par 238 to record the 295-run win. While Bumrah's eight wickets led the bowling charge, second-inning centuries by Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli helped put the game beyond Australia's reach.
It was Australia's first Test defeat at the Perth Stadium, having won their first four red-ball outings.
The two teams will head to Adelaide for the Day-Night affair in the second Test, starting December 6.
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