Australia defeated India in the third Test by nine wickets at Holkar Cricket Stadium in Indore on Friday. With the impressive victory, the Aussies also booked their place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.
Chasing 76 with three days left in the game was always going to be an easy task for the Aussies, and precisely that happened as the tourists gunned down the paltry target on Day 3 to complete the proceedings.
Ace India spinner Ravichandran Ashwin struck early after he dismissed Usman Khawaja to raise some hopes of a packed crowd. Ashwin, along with Ravindra Jadeja, bowled some tight spells, but the pair of Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head held their forts and moments after the drinks, the duo began counter-attacking to finish the match.
On Thursday, Nathan Lyon picked up eight wickets as Australia bowled out India out for 163 runs, getting a 76-run target. Cheteshwar Pujara top-scored for India with 59, but Lyon’s sensational figures of 8/64 completely overshined his effort.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
Significant win for @CricketAus dominate performance in challenging conditions.
It’s hard not to look back on the madness in Delhi… #INDvAUS— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) March 3, 2023
Just the third time in 10 years that India have been beaten in a Test on home soil. #INDvAUS
— Scott Bailey (@ScottBaileyAAP) March 3, 2023
Comprehensive win. Outbatted the home team in these conditions.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 3, 2023
Only the 2nd time India have lost a home Test when Ashwin & Jadeja played together. Only other instance – Pune Test (2017) #IndvsAus
— Sarang Bhalerao (@bhaleraosarang) March 3, 2023
Great win Aussies 👍👍
Nath Lyon 11wickets 👑
Trav Head 49no stroke play today ✅ #IndVAus pic.twitter.com/4WafV4kLrn— Damien Fleming (@bowlologist) March 3, 2023
Australia chase down the target comfortably to win the third Test in Indore 🙌#WTC23 | #INDvAUS | 📝 https://t.co/FFaPxt9fIY pic.twitter.com/ylOX2GLLZq
— ICC (@ICC) March 3, 2023
Australia's Test wins in India since 1970:
8 wickets Bengaluru 1998
10 wickets Mumbai 2001
217 runs Bengaluru 2004
342 runs Nagpur 2004
333 runs Pune 2017
9 wickets Indore 2023#INDvAUS 🇦🇺— Fox Sports Lab (@FoxSportsLab) March 3, 2023
Australia beat India in less than 3 days 🥹#INDvAUS Scorecard: https://t.co/54EvGNwY0m #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/skZgLFlJ0F
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) March 3, 2023
Well played @CricketAus 👏🏽 #INDvAUS #BGT2023 pic.twitter.com/sjpOcbydoW
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) March 3, 2023
The significance of this Australian victory can't be overstated.
India has only lost two Tests at home in the last decade, winning 36 matches during that period.
The Border-Gavaskar Trophy is gone, but Australia has bounced back emphatically. Bring on Ahmedabad.#INDvAUS
— Nic Savage (@nic_savage1) March 3, 2023
Steve Smith as a Test captain in India:
Matches – 5
Won – 2
Lost – 2
Draw – 1A record to remember for his lifetime considering how tough it is to win in India in the last decade. pic.twitter.com/5SB7aTkLYl
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) March 3, 2023
🇦🇺 win the 3rd Test by 9 wickets.#OneFamily #INDvAUS #BGT2023 pic.twitter.com/Hv973Z2sIY
— Mumbai Indians (@mipaltan) March 3, 2023
Just not the best of our mornings 😢
Let's comeback stronger in the final Test 💪#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/BUDwIJpCWe
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) March 3, 2023