India Reclaims Top Spot in WTC Rankings with Historic Victory Over Australia in Perth

Perth [Australia], November 25 – India achieved a resounding 295-run victory over Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy opener in Perth on Monday, their biggest win in Australia in terms of runs. This commanding performance propelled India back to the top of the World Test Championship (WTC) standings, with a point percentage of 61.11%.

WTC Standings Update

• India: 15 matches, 9 wins, 5 defeats, 61.11% point percentage.
• Australia: 13 matches, 8 wins, 4 defeats, 57.69% point percentage.

India entered the match ranked second, with a point percentage of 58.33%, trailing Australia’s 62.50%. The win in Perth solidified India’s authority, unseating Australia from the summit.

Australia’s defeat also marked a rare setback at home, following their strong performance in the WTC cycle, which included 8 wins in 13 matches prior to this series.

Victory Despite Missing Key Players

India’s triumph came despite the absence of key players like Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Mohammed Shami, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin. Stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah led from the front, delivering a match-winning performance with the ball.

This win also marked only the second time India has won a Test series opener in Australia, the first being their famous victory in Adelaide in 2018.

The Match in Highlights

1. India’s Struggle in First Innings
   Winning the toss and choosing to bat, India managed just 150 runs, with Nitish Kumar Reddy (41) and Rishabh Pant (37) providing crucial contributions.
2. Australia’s Collapse
   Bumrah’s fiery first-innings spell, supported by Mohammed Siraj and debutant Harshit Rana, restricted Australia to just 104 runs, giving India a slender 46-run lead.
3. Second Innings Revival
   • Yashasvi Jaiswal: A magnificent 161 set the tone for India’s dominant second innings.
   • Virat Kohli: Unbeaten 100, marking his 30th Test century.
   • KL Rahul: A steady 77 laid the foundation for India’s mammoth 534-run total.
4. Bowling Masterclass in Australia’s Chase
   • The Indian bowling attack, led by Bumrah, ensured Australia was dismissed for 227/8 by Tea on Day 4.
   • Harshit Rana sealed the victory by clean bowling Alex Carey, capping off an incredible team effort.

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A Resilient Response to Past Defeats

The win comes as a statement following India’s 3-0 home Test series defeat to New Zealand, a rare blot on their strong Test record. Despite the pressure and challenging conditions in Perth, the team showed immense character to secure this historic victory.

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Looking Ahead

With this emphatic victory, India leads the five-match series 1-0 and has gained significant momentum heading into the second Test. The team’s intent and depth, even in the absence of key players, underline their strength in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy.