Nathan Lyon bowled Australia to a gripping 48-run victory, while India skipper Virat Kohli almost conjured a come-from-behind win with a magnificent last-day century in the first Test in Adelaide yesterday.
The off-spinner claimed seven wickets in India’s second innings and 12 for the match as he spun the home side to a thrilling triumph after Australia had set the tourists 364 runs for victory on a rollercoaster final day.
No team has scored more than 315 runs and won in Adelaide since 1902, but Kohli almost singlehandedly brought off an astonishing win with his second century of the match before he was caught on the boundary rope for 141 in the 82nd over.
Photo: EPA
While Kohli had an impressive near victory in his first Test as India’s captain, it was the maligned Lyon who was Australia’s match-winner, snaring 7-152 on the wearing Adelaide drop-in pitch to go with his 5-134 in the first innings.
“It’s very special. This first Test is one we will remember and cherish for the rest of our careers, there’s no doubt about that,” injured Australia skipper Michael Clarke said. “The way the boys didn’t fear losing, and tried to push as hard as they could to try and win the game was something I was very proud of.”
Kohli became the second India batsman since Vijay Hazare to score two centuries in a Test at the Adelaide Oval.
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Batting partner Murali Vijay, on 99, had no such luck and was cruelly out LBW to Lyon three deliveries after Kohli raised his ton.
Vijay was crestfallen and needed Kohli to console him and send him on his way ending an 185-run stand for the third wicket, which had the tourists on course for victory.
Ajinkya Rahane was out five deliveries later when he played forward and was given out caught by Chris Rogers at short-leg, handing Lyon his second wicket of the over.
David Warner then took a brilliant one-handed catch at leg-slip to dismiss Rohit Sharma (6) and give Lyon his fourth wicket of the innings as the game continued to ebb and flow.
Wriddhiman Saha continued India’s run chase with a six and a sweep for four, but he went for another big heave and was bowled by Lyon.
Kohli’s majestic innings came to an end six overs before the final wicket fell with a marvellous catch by Mitchell Marsh on the boundary rope to send back India’s last main hope.
Kohli had pulled Lyon to Marsh with his eyes into the sun, but he took the catch just off the ground. The India skipper was given a standing ovation as he left the ground.
“I was reacting and being positive at the crease, nothing more than that, playing on my instinct and at the same time trying to calculate the innings and the target as well,” Kohli said. “I was hoping that Mitch Marsh would drop the catch, but I went for my shot, I don’t have any regrets, probably could have placed it better, but they are big ‘ifs.’”
Mohammed Shami holed out to Mitchell Johnson for 5 off Harris and Johnson trapped Varun Aaron LBW for 1 with the first delivery of the second new ball.
Lyon took the final wicket and his seventh of the innings with Ishant Sharma stumped by Brad Haddin in the 88th over.
Australia grabbed the wickets of Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara before lunch yesterday, but Vijay and Kohli resisted for almost 50 overs and gave their team hope of a memorable come-from-behind victory.
Meanwhile, Shaun Marsh was named to replace the injured Clarke for next week’s second Test in Brisbane, Cricket Australia said.
Clarke said scans have shown he has a torn right hamstring after coming off the field and will take no further part in the series.
Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin is expected to assume the Test captaincy for the remaining three Tests.
Australia called on West Australia batsman Marsh and also added left-arm paceman Mitchell Starc to their squad for the Gabba Test.
SRI LANKA, ENGLAND
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