On This Day, 10 December 2018: India Claimed Its First Test Win In Australia After 10 Years

Last Updated:December 10, 2024, 08:19 IST

Cheteshwar Pujara's brilliant 194 guided India to their first Test win in Australia in 10 years, securing a historic victory in Adelaide Test.

Under the captaincy of Virat Kohli, Team India made a roaring start to Test series. (Image: @virendersehwag/X, formerly Twitter)

ON THIS DAY IN 2018: The 2018-19 Border Gavaskar Trophy remains a golden chapter in the history of Indian cricket. Under the captaincy of Virat Kohli, Team India toured Australia to play three ODIs, as many T20Is and a four-match Test series. The visitors made a roaring start to the red-ball assignment. They triumphed in the series opener at the Adelaide Oval by 31 runs to secure the first Test win on Australian soil after ten years.

Cheteshwar Pujara deserves much credit for the historic victory which came six years back on this day (December 10). The veteran batter struck 194 runs in the match, including a valiant century in the first innings.

WATCH THE WINNING MOMENTS

Virat Kohli won the toss in Adelaide and chose to bat first. With Australia putting up a lethal bowling show, the Indian top order collapsed like a deck of cards. KL Rahul and Kohli returned with single-digit scores while Murali Vijay and Ajinkya Rahane scored 11 and 13 runs respectively.

Though wickets kept falling at one end, Cheteswar Pujara demonstrated his mettle and calmly negotiated with the new ball.

Rohit Sharma who came in to bat at No. 6 added 37 runs to the score off 61 deliveries. Rishabh Pant and Ravichandran Ashwin also failed to survive long and managed 25 runs each.

Pujara ultimately fell victim to an unfortunate run-out. But his 123-run knock helped India produce 250 runs in the first innings. For Australia, Josh Hazlewood claimed a three-wicket haul while Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon got two each.

The Aussie batters also struggled a lot on the tricky surface at Adelaide. Travis Head was their standout batter with 72 runs as the hosts wrapped up their first innings with 235 runs.

India had to build on a 15-run lead, and this time,KL Rahul gave them a most positive start. He smashed 44 runs but his opening partner Murali Vijay returned to the pavilion early.

While fast bowlers dominated the first two days, the pitch later appeared to become spin-friendly. Nathan Lyon read the conditions well and fetched a six-wicket haul.

Cheteshwar Pujara again chipped in with a crucial knock and contributed 71 runs while Rahane made 70 off 147 balls. India were bundled out for 307 and Australia had to chase 323 runs to win the match.

Except for Shaun Marsh and Tim Payne, no Australian batter was able to showcase their A-game.

Jasprit Bumrah, Ravichandran Ashwin and Mohammed Shami shared nine wickets as the home side was forced to fold at 291. Cheteshwar Pujara was named the Player of the Match for his match-defining batting performance.

Location :

Australia