The Indian defeat on day 5 of the 2nd Test at Perth was inevitable and that is what happened in the morning. Australia needed 5 wickets to win, got rid of Hanuma Vihari and Rishabh Pant – the only recognisable batsmen and then dismantled the tail within 15 overs. The Aussies won the match by a huge margin of 146 runs and level up in the 4 match Test series, 1-1.
Australia had given India a target of 287 to win the second Test match and the visitors had the worst possible start. India lost KL Rahul and Cheteshwar Pujara cheaply. Captain Kohli who scored a century in the first innings was dismissed by Nathan Lyon and the Indian batting fell like nine pins.
Soon, India lost Murli Vijay and vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane. Defeat was inevitable and the Aussies showed how good a side they are despite their best batsmen Steve Smith and David Warner are banned from playing due the ball tampering scandal in South Africa early this year.
Hanuma Vihari was dismissed by Mitchell Stark for 28. Vihari edged onto thigh pad and Harris took a simple catch. The wicket keeper batsman Rishabh Pant mistimed a Nathan Lyon delivery and Peter Handscomb took a brilliant catch. Pant made 30.
'YOU BEAUTY!' A blinder from Peter Handscomb this morning!#AUSvIND | @bet365_aus pic.twitter.com/EAtOTAAyrR
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 18, 2018
Then it was all downhill from here. Mitchell Stark and Pat Cummins wrapped up the tail. Stark got Umesh Yadav while Cummins clamied the wickets of Ishant Sharma and Jasprit Bumrah.
India managed to score only 140, losing the game by 146 runs. Australia have now squared the 4 match Test series 1-1.
? AUSTRALIA WIN ?
The hosts register a convincing 146-run win by bowling India out for 140 early in the morning session on Day 5.#AUSvIND SCORECARD ⬇️ https://t.co/viG01B7TWC pic.twitter.com/siotOPs9LR
— ICC (@ICC) December 18, 2018
Nathan Lyon was the player who made the difference in the game. He was adjudged the Man of the Match for his 8 wickets in the game.
The GOAT @NathLyon421 is the Player of the Match after eight wickets for the Test in Perth! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/tA5xGjqGAy
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 18, 2018
The 3rd Test match of the series will be a Boxing day Test starting 26th December at the MCG in Melbourne.
1-1 going into the Boxing Day Test. It doesn't get much bigger!
Be there: https://t.co/bRUCcSykGl #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/2hy6jDRgHy
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 18, 2018
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