It has taken less than three days of play for Australia to record a Test win that, before the first ball, the world at large agreed was bordering on the impossible.
A second collapse from India in as many innings saw the Australians take a remarkable 333-run victory that will live on in the memory of Baggy Green fans for decades to come.
All the wash-up from India vs Australia
» Six talking points from the Test
» The Liebke ratings
» Australia embarrass India technically and mentally
» Australia must not repeat 2001 nightmare
» India buried in their own dustbowl
The man of the hour? The oft-maligned Steve O’Keefe, who took a total of twelve wickets for the match, six in each innings.
Nathan Lyon also deserves a hand for taking four in the second innings, and Steve Smith’s knock of 109 completed on Day 3 – his first century in India – was pivotal for giving the Australian side confidence.
However there’s no doubt that this was a match which belonged to O’Keefe, a newfound Australian hero after playing just a handful of Tests before now.
The match started on Thursday with Australia putting up a total of 260 in their first innings, Matt Renshaw the top-scorer with 68 despite feeling more than a little queasy at times.
There were significant doubts to be had over whether or not that would be enough, but a collapse of the Indian order in their first innings, sparked by Mitchell Starc and driven home by O’Keefe, left Australia in a surprisingly comfortable position at stumps on Day 2.
David Warner and Shaun Marsh couldn’t deliver much as the openers in Australia’s second innings, but a masterful century by Smith was enough to put the visitors in a commanding position.
At the end of Australia’s second innings, they had a lead of 440 runs, and no shortage of time in which to bowl India out.
As it was, not much of that time was needed – Cheteshwar Pujara’s total of 31 was the best any Indian batsmen could muster, and only four reached double figures as O’Keefe and Lyon laid waste to all before them and led Australia to victory.
All things considered, it seems a very real possibility that we’ve all somehow died and gone to Australian cricket fan heaven.
Final score
Australia 260, 285
India 105, 107
Mon
Guest
And Waner's.... UK's.... Smitty's... Hanscombe's... and so on. Nathan Lyon would even prefer the extra bounce. Yeah sure, go right ahead and prep a road!
Art Vanderlay
Guest
Given that the Indian team, reputedly, were furious at the pitch that was prepared you can bet your bottom rupee that the next deck will be a dry road not a minefield. It may however play into Starc and Hazelwood's hands anyway.
Art Vanderlay
Guest
There are 3 more tests peter - might it not be wise to look back after those?
Gregi
Guest
Thought the same thing ...just looked as though India were trying to lose....hope not but there were lots of dropped catches silly referrals ..bad batting ...out of character performance from India.
Rob
Guest
The Indian bowlers were having to dismiss Australia twice on average. LOL.
Rob
Guest
Maxwell averages 10 runs better than M.Marsh with the bat at FC level also.
TheCunningLinguistic
Guest
I agree, was very enjoyable listening to the relaxed & fearless commentary from the WhiteLine Wireless team! Love the fact that they can call a spade a spade, without having to sugarcoat it or worry about recriminations.
twodogs
Guest
Yes Graham, and the above article states " the oft- maligned Steve Okeefe". Is it the oft maligned Steve Okeefes 1st class record which is 10 runs better average than Lyon? Or is it the oft maligned Steve Okeefe the personality? His ability has been oft ignored for some time now and is impossible to ignore hereon. Can some one tell me how a spinner with a 24 average can be left out in favour of someone with a 34 average? What can possibly be the selectors justification apart from 'well, we just don't think he fits in'. ('We just don't like him')
Linphoma
Guest
Yup, the deck was that bad.
El Loco
Roar Rookie
Great win, amongst the obvious star efforts plaudits have to go to Hanscomb who led the way in Australia's superb fielding. Big factor in the result. There are still cracks we should be concerned about, Starc's batting was more critical than it ought to have been. That said, it's a team sport and contributions don't have to come from the most logical places. Unchanged team for the second test you'd think. So question, which innings counts as O'Keefe's best figures?
Cs
Guest
I am an Aussie actually working in a for a very big Indian newspaper in Delhi - suffice to say yesterday and today were 'very quiet' in the newsroom (like the last World Cup)... and so was I. But I need to point out, the Indian press have never seen this tour as 'a sure thing' - nor have been at all 'arrogant' - sure the TV channels have been a bit like Foxtel re Wallabies v England last year... but we all laugh here re that - the cricket press here is much better and far more balanced than the Oz press - you know? All I got today was "congrats"! - "well played" and "see you next time". And rightly so.
Ben
Roar Guru
I was hoping O'Keeffe would be picked simply on his very good first class average. What he has done here is incredible. To take 6 wickets in one innings could be passed as a 'one off'... But 12 wickets in a match... The selectors could be onto something here. How long before they start saying the Marsh brothers had some sort of 'influence' on O'Keefe's performance, or the match result but...
peter chrisp
Guest
And the naysayers suggesting it could be the fast bowlers that should do the trick and the spinners little or very little hope hmmm
peter chrisp
Guest
All in all how many catches did the Indian's drop during the whole game?
peter chrisp
Guest
Which spinner is more popular i have a strange feeling i could answer that one
Bfc
Guest
Stunning result... Fighting century to Smith ( dropped 4 times...? Is this a record for a scorer of a century?). SOK gets 12 wickets ( what do you think Warnie?) and Kohli gets bugger all... Pitch was a disgrace..did India pay the price for producing such a shocking wicket? Former Test opener Akashi Chopra said any first class game would "have ended by now..." at the start of Day 3. Winning the toss was a huge benefit....
peter chrisp
Guest
And with a bit of luck long may it continue?
GD66
Guest
Gad ! The longer the match went, the more real it became. Don't have Fox, so took live scoring from cricinfo, then tried to listen on the ABC : no problem yesterday, but for some reason Grandstand developed an obsession with rugby union, then bingo! the light came on and I fired up WhiteLine Wireless, good cover and very enjoyable listening, many thanks to those at the mike and those responsible for the service, I'll be back for the rest of the tour. Oh, and to the Pune groundsman : sucked in, buddy !
Linphoma
Guest
You may be on to something. They are at the fag-end of a 10 Test season (Is there ever an off season there?), such are the commercial imperatives for the Indian national side in any format. Also prescient was the suggestion above on the naivety of the Indian use of the DRS. Because they held out for so long they haven't enjoyed the tactical weaning period the other international sides have experienced over the last few years. Plus, just a suggestion, the umpires are more inclined to give a home batsman out lbw if they know they are going to be backed up by the cameras.
Linphoma
Guest
I'd feel like Anil Kumble's statement last night was fair. He was not playing the man when referring to SOK's haul - not his style. But when it happened a second time, Virat and co are going to have to ask themselves some questions. On that deck you don't have to be a world beater; just get yourself into a groove/rhythm. You would bet the next deck will be like those glossy magazine food photographs - after a week in the open thy're still not going to crumble or deteriorate in any way. Built to last. Pace or spin, 4 runs an over, first innings lasting 120+ overs with a declaration.