Pune, Feb 25: A disappointed Indian captain Virat Kohli blamed the batting for a humiliating 333-run defeat to Australia in the 1st Test here today (February 25).
Match scorecard; Day 3 report; Series schedule; Photos
On Saturday, the third day of the opening Test of the 4-match rubber, left-arm spinner Steve O'Keefe took 6 wickets in the second innings as India's batting came cropper for the second successive time. India lasted only 74 overs in the match (40.1 in 1st innings and 33.5 in second).
After being bundled out for just 105 in the 1st innings, Indian batsmen faltered again in the second essay as they folded for 107 in 33.5 overs. Australia scored 260 and 285.
O'Keefe, who took 6/35 in the 1st innings, again repeated his outstanding effort with identical figures. Australia now hold a 1-0 lead going to Bengaluru for the 2nd Test from March 4.
Speaking to reporters after the match, Kohli described it "criminal" to concede a 155-run lead in the first innings lead.
"The way we batted in the 1st innings I think we put ourselves under lot of pressure. To be honest, conceding a 160-run lead (155-run) on that sort of wicket is criminal," Kohli said.
"Batting was not up to standard. That is how we should not bat from here on. Batsmen need to pull their socks up. I think batting let us down, in both innings. I am not blaming the bowlers," he added.
Kohli felt India did not deserve to win after dropping catches. Australia skipper Steve Smith was reprieved 4 times as he went on to post a magnificent century (109).
"You don't deserve to win when you drop 5 catches of one batsman and also lose 7 wickets for 11 runs (in 1st innings)," the right-hander said.
This was Australia's 1st Test win on Indian soil since October 2004 in Nagpur. "4,502 days" was the wait for them as skipper Smith said in the post-match presentation ceremony.
"It's been 4,502 days since Australia won a Test in India, I know it to the day," Smith said.
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