Australia came up with a top performance to defeat India by 333 runs in the first Test at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune.
The result came as a surprise as the Indian team, prior to this match, were unbeaten in their last 19 Tests and had never lost a Test under the captaincy of Virat Kohli at home.
Here, we look at the top five talking points from the Test.
DRY PITCH BACKFIRES FOR HOSTS
Going into the match, there was a lot of criticism of the pitch that was prepared in Pune. Experts felt that the wicket was too dry and would result in the match finishing within three days (which was the case in the end).
But when it came to the result, what most people expected did not happen. It was Australia’s spinners who outbowled their Indian counterparts and led the men from Down Under to a famous win.
O’KEEFE SPINS A WEB AROUND INDIA
Steve O’Keefe had played just four Tests before the game in Pune and there were a lot of critics which included legendary Australian leg-spinner Shane Warne who doubted his place in the team.
He answered his critics in style by picking up 12 wickets for 70 runs, the best ever bowling figures by an overseas spinner in India.
Steve O'Keefe's super spell in Pune brought back a few memories for coach @darren_lehmann... #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/YaHBv3lQ6i
— cricket.com.au Video (@CricketVideo) February 26, 2017
INDIA’S FIELDING LETS THEM DOWN
There is no doubt that India have improved a lot when it comes to fielding over the last decade. The likes of Mohammad Kaif and Suresh Raina surely helped in bringing about a change of mindset in the field.
But what we saw in the Pune Test was far from what is expected of the Indian side. A lot of catches were dropped and that cost the hosts big time.
After the match, Indian captain Virat Kohli expressed his disappointment and said: “I’m not blaming the bowlers at all, but you don’t deserve to win if you drop catches and bat like that.”
SMITH LEADS FROM THE FRONT
Steve Smith is the number one Test batsman in the world currently and he showed us why with a fantastic century in Australia’s second innings on a pitch where most batsmen struggled.
Although he had his share of luck, having been dropped multiple times, Smith looked confident with his footwork and stroke-play during his knock of 109.
RUDE AWAKENING FOR INDIA
India came into the Test having not lost a single match in the format at home in over four years. Having also won eight out of the nine Tests in this home season, India were considered as overwhelming favourites.
Hence, losing the match will come as a rude awakening for Kohli’s men who haven’t had to play under pressure situations recently. Now, we need to see how India bounce back from this humbling defeat.
