Posted: 2023-02-11 03:39:07

Australia has recorded a stunning first Test defeat in Nagpur, bowled out for its second-lowest score against India to fall to defeat by over an innings. 

Ravichandran Ashwin claimed his 30th five-wicket haul in Test matches as he bamboozled the Australian top and middle order.

Trailing by 223 runs at the start of its second innings, Australia lasted just 32-and-a-half overs to be dismissed for 91.

Steve Smith was Australia's highest scorer with an unbeaten 25 as just four batters reached double figures in the day three rout.

It is the fourth-time Australia has been defeated by an innings in India and puts a serious dent their hopes of a first series win in the country since 2004.

Ravichandran Ashwin screams
Ravichandran Ashwin took five wickets in an innings for the 31st time in Test matches.(Getty Images: Robert Cianflone)

Australian great Allan Border said on Fox Sports that he was "shell shocked" at witnessing Australia be bowled out in little over a session.

"Hopefully, our players are very embarrassed by that performance," he said.

"It's just poor all round."

Australia knew it was up against it when India made 400 in its first innings, Australia labouring to take the final three wickets in the over before lunch.

Todd Murphy, one of the few bright points in the Australian defeat, took 7-124 on debut, the sixth best bowling figures by a player on debut — but there was little else to smile about.

An Australian male Test cricketer is congratulated by a teammate after taking an Indian wicket.
Todd Murphy (right) added more wickets to his tally on day three.(Getty Images: Robert Cianflone)

He took the first to fall on day three, bowling Ravindra Jadeja for 70 and struck again to dismiss Shami (37) and end a 52-run partnership for the ninth wicket with Axar Patel (84) the last to fall, bowled by Cummins.

In reply, Australia's wickets tumbled. Usman Khawaja (5) was the first man to fall, chasing a wide ball, before David Warner (10), Matt Renshaw (2), Peter Handscomb (6) and Alex Carey (10) all fall LBW to Ashwin.

Marnus Labuschagne (17) went the same way to Jadeja, with the left-arm spinner also taking the wicket of Cummins (1) caught behind.

Patel took the wicket of Murphy (1), before Shami cleaned up the tail by dismissing Nathan Lyon (8) and Scott Boland (0).

Australia now heads to Dehli, where India has not lost a Test match since 1987, for the second Test which starts on Friday.

Cameron Green, Mitch Starc and Josh Hazlewood will all hope to be fit for selection but are no guarantee of being available, while the non-selection of Travis Head will doubtless be heavily scrutinised internally during the next week.  

Ravindra Jadeja fined

After play concluded, Indian spinner Jadeja, who was named player of the match for his seven wickets and 70 runs, was fined 25 per cent of his match fee and handed one demerit point on his disciplinary record.

Jadeja was found to have breached Article 2.20 of the ICC Code of Conduct relating to displaying conduct that is contrary to the spirit of the game.

The 34-year-old accepted the sanction from match referee Andy Pycroft after admitting to the offence.

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