NEW DELHI: India delivered a commanding performance to claim the opening Test in Perth by a staggering 295 runs on Monday, leaving Australia reeling and searching for answers.
Set an improbable target of 534, the world’s top-ranked Test team folded for 238 in the final session of day four.
This triumph marked India’s biggest-ever victory, in terms of runs, on Australian soil in Tests.
The win represented a remarkable turnaround for India, who entered the series under pressure following a humbling 3-0 home defeat against New Zealand.
Notably, this was only India’s second Test victory in Perth and their first since the iconic win at the WACA Ground in 2008.
It also stands as India’s second-largest win against Australia overall, behind their record 320-run triumph in Mohali during the MS Dhoni era in 2008.
India’s previous record for their biggest win in Australia dated back to 1977 when the Bishan Singh Bedi-led side thrashed the hosts by 222 runs in Melbourne.
Biggest victory margins for Team India vs Australia (by runs)
320 runs – Mohali, 2008
295 runs – Perth, 2024
222 runs – Melbourne, 1977
179 runs – Chennai, 1998
172 runs – Nagpur, 2008
This victory also marked India’s second-largest win outside Asia in terms of runs.
India’s biggest wins outside Asia (by runs):
318 runs vs West Indies, North Sound, 2019
295 runs vs Australia, Perth, 2024
279 runs vs England, Headingley, 1986
272 runs vs New Zealand, Auckland, 1968
257 runs vs West Indies, Kingston, 2019
Bumrah etched his name in history with an 8/72 match haul in the Perth Test, securing his spot among the best bowling performances by an Indian captain in Tests.
His effort ranks fourth on the list, behind legends like Kapil Dev and Bishan Singh Bedi.
Bumrah’s fiery spell not only dismantled Australia but also reaffirmed his leadership prowess, drawing parallels with iconic performances such as Kapil’s 10/135 in Ahmedabad (1983) and Bedi’s 10/194 at Perth (WACA) in 1977.
Best match returns by an India captain in Tests:
10/135 – Kapil Dev vs WI, Ahmedabad, 1983
10/194 – Bishan Singh Bedi vs AUS, Perth (WACA), 1977
9/70 – Bishan Singh Bedi vs NZ, Chennai, 1976
8/72 – Jasprit Bumrah vs AUS, Perth (Optus), 2024
8/109 – Kapil Dev vs AUS, Adelaide, 1985
Bumrah in Tests in Australia:
Matches: 8
Wickets: 40
Avg: 18.80
SR: 45.7
5W: 2
Of the 100 bowlers who have bagged at least 30 Test wickets in Australia post World War II (for the hosts or the visiting team), Bumrah’s average is only bettered by Sir Richard Hadlee (17.83).
Australia losing the first Test of a home series in 21st century
vs South Africa, Perth (WACA), 2008
vs South Africa, Perth (WACA), 2016
vs India, Adelaide, 2018
vs India, Perth (Optus), 2024
This is the second instance of India winning a Test series opener in Australia after Adelaide 2018.
Sub-400 match aggregates for Australia at home since 2000
246 vs SA, Hobart, 2016
342 vs IND, Perth, 2024
356 vs ENG, Melbourne, 2010
369 vs NZ, Hobart, 2011
395 vs IND, Melbourne, 2020
*instances when they were bowled out in both innings
