BGT 2024-25: Team India’s stand-in-skipper Jasprit Bumrah guided his team to a stunning victory against the Aussies by 295 runs in the series opener of the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25, thereby shattering multiple records at the Optus Stadium in Perth. On November 25 (Monday), Australia faced its second-biggest loss in test cricket at home, despite steady performances from Travis Head and Mitchell Marsh in 2nd innings.

With this win, India currently leads the five-match test series with a 1-0 margin and climbed to the top position in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 points table. So, it is understood that the visitors still have a chance to seal their spot in the WTC 2025 final at Lords.

Even after a poor start with the bat in the first innings of Day 1, Jasprit Bumrah led his bowlers from the front with his 5-wicket haul to dismantle Australia’s powerful batting line-up, thereby ensuring a 46-run lead. As a result, the second innings for India turned out to be much more special, with Yashasvi Jaiswal’s first test century in Australia supported by KL Rahul’s performance.

Moreover, the entire cricket world witnessed Virat Kohli roar back into form with his 30th test century after a long gap of 491 days.

Interestingly, Bumrah established his name in test cricket history by recording his 8-wicket haul in the Perth test (8-72 in 30 overs). He not only bagged the Player of the Match (POTM) award but also ensured to rank himself among the list of Indian captains with the best bowling figures in tests.

Let’s find out how the Aussies faltered during a 534-run chase that resulted in India securing one of the biggest victories in test cricket outside the Asian countries.

India’s Comeback in Perth Test BGT 2024-25: From a Heartbreaking Start to Epic Domination

Here is how India secured a 295-run victory without the presence of key players such as Rohit Sharma, Shubman Gill, Kuldeep Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja:

India’s First Innings: 150-10 in 49.4 overs

Due to severe rains in Perth ahead of Day 1, the Indian batters weren’t set to a great start in the 17th season of the Border Gavaskar Trophy and struggled to accumulate runs. Apart from Nitish Reddy (41 runs), Rishabh Pant (37 runs), and KL Rahul (26 runs), the rest of the batters couldn’t resist Hazlewood’s 4-wicket haul (4-29 in 13 overs). Whereas, the pacers Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Marsh grabbed 2 wickets each to wrap India’s innings to 150.

Australia’s First Innings: 104-10 in 51.2 overs

In contrast to the expectations, Australia’s batting lineup collapsed due to the tricky pitch conditions in Perth. The key contributions from Jasprit Bumrah (5-30 in 18 overs), Harshit Rana (3-48 in 15.3 overs) and Mohammed Siraj (2-20 in 13 overs) bundled out the Aussies innings to 104 all out.

India’s 2nd Innings: 487-6 (declared) in 134.3 overs

The 2nd inning for India was the turning point of the game. Starting with a 46-run lead, the visitors set a challenging target of 534 runs against the hosts riding on the exceptional contributions of these four batters:

• Yashasvi Jaiswal: 161 runs scored out of 297 balls faced —15 fours and 3 sixes.
• Virat Kohli (not-out): 100 runs scored out of 143 balls— 8 fours and 2 sixes.
• KL Rahul: 77 runs scored out of 176 balls — 5 fours.
• Nitish Reddy (not-out): 38 runs scored out of 27 balls —3 fours and 2 sixes.

Australia’s 2nd Innings: 238-10 in 58.4 overs

The Australian batters continued with their struggle on Day 3 and Day 4 of the Perth Test by losing wickets in quick sequence.

Travis Head’s 89 runs from 101 balls (including 8 fours) and Mitchell Marsh’s 47 runs from 67 balls (including 3 fours and 2 sixes) resulted in maintaining an 82-run partnership and reigniting Australia’s hopes of winning the first match after an early collapse.

Finally, the Aussies were prevented from chasing down the mammoth target as the entire batting unit succumbed to India’s powerful bowling performances:

• Jasprit Bumrah: 3-42 in 12 overs (including 1 maiden over).
• Mohammed Siraj: 3-51 in 14 overs (including 2 maiden overs).
• Washington Sundar: 2-48 in 15 overs (including 1 maiden over).
• Nitish Reddy: 1-21 in 4 overs.
• Harshit Rana: 1-69 in 13.4 overs.

India’s Notable Records from 295-Run Victory in Perth Test | BGT 2024-25

A memorable victory of 295 runs in the Perth test resulted in Team India achieving these outstanding records (in terms of winning margin) against Australia:

1. Second-Largest Win on Australian Soil:

India recorded its second-largest win in Australia, ranking behind their previous record of an innings and two runs victory under Bishan Bedi’s captaincy back in 1978:

2. Second-Biggest Win Against Australia in Tests:  

Considering the stats from 1947 to 2024, India registered its second-biggest test victory against Australia, whereas the 320-run triumph in Mohali in 2008 still ranks at the top position in the list:

3. Second-Biggest Winnings Outside Asia:

This was India’s second-largest victory outside the Asian continent as the 318-run win against the West Indies ranks at the first spot in the below list:

4. Second Test Victory in Perth:

India secured its second test win in Perth, which includes their first success at WACA stadium in 2008 during MS Dhoni’s captaincy era.

India’s WTC 2025 Qualification Chances after the Perth Test in BGT 2024-25: Final Opinion

A 295-run victory resulted in India shifting back to their top position in the WTC 2023–25 standings with 110 points and 61.11 PCT. Whereas, Australia slipped to the second spot with 90 points and 57.69 PCT. 

Following a 3-0 defeat to New Zealand in the home test series, Team India dropped to second position in the WTC points table. However, a dominating win against Australia in Perth makes the WTC 2025 final qualification scenario straightforward for India as they have to win three out of four matches in the completing phase of the ongoing cycle.