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PIX: Dominant India crush Australia by innings & 132 runs

Last updated on: February 11, 2023 15:08 IST

Images from Day 3 of the first Test between India and Australia, at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur, on Saturday

Ravichandran Ashwin

IMAGE: Ravichandran Ashwin celebrates the wicket of Alex Carey to complete his five-wicket haul. Photograph: BCCI


India thrashed Australia by an innings and 132 runs inside three days in the opening Test to take a 1-0 lead in the four-match series in Nagpur on Saturday.

Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin (5/37) returned with a five wicket haul as India shot off Australia for 91 in 32.3 overs in their second innings just before tea.

Ravichandran Ashwin

IMAGE: Ravindra Jadeja celebrates the wicket of Marnus Labuschagne. Photograph: BCCI

Australia conceded a massive first innings lead of 223.

This was Australia's second lowest total against India after 93 in Mumbai (2004).

Bowling a probing length, Ashwin ran through the Australian top order and annexed his 31st fifer in just his 10th over, before Ravindra Jadeja (2/34), Mohammed Shami (2/13) and Axar Patel (1/6) completed the formalities.

Axar Patel

IMAGE: Axar Patel and Mohammad Shami took took a massive 223-run first innings lead. Photograph: BCCI/Twitter

Earlier, Patel hit a career-best 84 (174 balls; 10x4s, 1x6) in an entertaining 52-run ninth wicket partnership with Shami who was at his aggressive best in his 37 from 47 balls (2x4s, 3x6s).

Axar Patel

IMAGE: Axar Patel played a vital innings for India, scoring 84 runs. Photograph: BCCI/Twitter

In reply to Australia's 177, India were bowled out for 400 at lunch on a turning Jamtha wicket.

Mohammad Shami

IMAGE: Mohammed Shami smashed an entertaining 37. Photograph: BCCI/Twitter

The left-handed Patel, who was overnight 52, looked calm and was in control to give India a solid batting depth at No 9.

Todd Murphy

IMAGE: Todd Murphy celebrates the wicket of Ravindra Jadeja. Photograph: BCCI/Twitter

For Australia, debutant off-spinner Tod Murphy was the pick of of their attack to return with impressive figures of 47-12-124-7.

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