Indian skipper Virat Kohli was the star of the show for a majority of the final day but was ultimately upstaged by Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon who spun his team to an emotional 48-run victory in the first Test at Adelaide.
Chasing 364 after Michael Clarke declared before the start of play on the final day, India were finally out for 315 in the 88th over. Murali Vijay gave good company to Kohli as India were cruising at one stage with the score on 242 for 2. But just when it looked that India were on the right path, Nathan Lyon gave Australia the all important breakthrough by trapping Vijay right in front of his stumps as India succumbed in front of an average Aussie attack. Rohit Sharma and Wridhimman Saha both got out cheaply which gave Australia a sniff into the Indian middle-order and once the Aussies were able to smell victory there was no looking back.
The Test was decided when Kohli pulled Lyon and was caught at deep midwicket, leaving Australia with 60 to defend and three wickets to take.
Off-spinner Lyon was the pick of the Australian bowler as he exploited the rough on the track to good effect to finish with figures for 7/152 for an overall haul of 12 wickets in the match. Lyon was adjudged Man of the Match for his superlative effort.
India captain Virat Kohli was graceful in defeat admitting that Murali Vijay's dismissal might have just been the turning point in 48-run defeat. "I told the guys last evening that whatever be the target, we will chase it. You have to play with passion and commitment if you have been chosen to play for your country," said the skipper.
"I would like to congratulate the whole Australia team.
Actually participating here after all that happened in the last 10 days is commendable. They are also a team that plays with passion and commitment," said Kohli.
The umpiring was below average as Shikhar Dhawan and Ajinkya Rahane had to bear the brunt of it as India came down to ashes from heights of Everest to lose the Test match and trail the series 1-0.
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