RESURGENT India last night stormed to their greatest victory on foreign soil, ensuring Australia’s quest for a record-breaking 17th straight Test win went up in smoke.
India also sent a strong message that Australia’s days of dominance are under threat after a stunning 72-run win in the third Test at the WACA Ground. Chasing 413 to win, the world champions were rolled for 340 to lose an enthralling contest inside four days.
The win sparked wild scenes of joy in the Indian camp, with off-spinner Harbhajan Singh – the 12th man for this Test – racing on to the ground waving his nation’s flag.
Surprise bowling weapon Virender Sehwag labelled the win as one of India’s greatest. “It’s a great match for us. It was a bouncy wicket and Australia had four fast bowlers,” he said.
In a drama-filled contest, there was an unexpected turn late in the day when Mitchell Johnson (50 not out) surged to his maiden Test half-century. With Stuart Clark (32 off 35 balls), they added 73 runs in 12.5 overs in a free-wheeling ninth-wicket stand.
This reduced the target to under three figures and had many starting to think the impossible was within reach, but Clark’s dismissal was soon followed by Shaun Tait’s (4).
There was to be no denying India, who, in a repeat of their miraculous Kolkata comeback win in 2001, terminated Australia’s long winning streak.
While Australia has an unbeatable 2-1 series lead and has retained the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the tourists can still force a drawn series if they prevail in Adelaide, beginning on Wednesday.
India began this match at the almost unbackable odds of $9, but boldly ignored history and reputation to forge their maiden Test victory in Perth.
It was Australia’s first loss on home soil since India prevailed in Adelaide four years ago.
Australia’s selectors were last night considering at least two changes for Adelaide, with Tait almost certain to be axed and spinner Brad Hogg recalled.
Opener Chris Rogers will also be dropped if Matthew Hayden has recovered from a hamstring strain.
Sehwag, the man India did not want in Melbourne and Sydney, became a surprise giant killer when his part-time off-spin claimed a dangerous Adam Gilchrist (15) and Brett Lee (0) in a match-winning spell just before tea.
There was an inspired spell of fast bowling from teenage beanpole Ishant Sharma and two contentious lbw decisions to set the tourists on their way to a famous victory.
Michael Clarke (81) was the Australian to offer greatest resistance, producing one of the more patient knocks of his career before he was stumped off Anil Kumble just after tea.
On a pitch offering turn and bounce, skipper Kumble’s gamble to introduce Sehwag was an inspired move.
In his first over he bowled Gilchrist around his legs and followed up next over when Lee squeezed a catch to VVS Laxman at silly mid-off.
Gilchrist heads to Adelaide with questions over his batting as he is averaging just 22.66 through six innings this series.
Ponting’s modest summer with the bat continued when Sharma found the edge which was accepted by Rahul Dravid at first slip.
Hussey was unlucky to be given out by umpire Rauf as the RP Singh delivery would have cleared the stumps, while Symonds was sent on his way despite a thick inside edge sending the ball into his pad off Kumble’s leg-spin.
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