Twitter Reactions: India draw first blood in Nagpur Test, inflict innings defeat to Australia

Australia succumbed to an embarrassing defeat in the opening Test of the Border Gavaskar Series in Nagpur after the Indian spinners made a mockery of the Australian batting line-up. Ravichandran Ashwin claimed his 31st five-wicket haul in red-ball cricket as he ran through the Australian top-order without making a fuss.

The home side dominated the first two days of the opening Test, and the third day followed a similar pattern. Despite losing Ravindra Jadeja early in the morning session, India ensured a healthy lead of 223 runs, thanks to an entertaining partnership between Axar Patel and Mohammed Shami. While Shami departed after a brisk 37 off 47 deliveries, Axar was the last batter to depart after an impressive 84.

It was chaos from thereon as the Aussie batters were all at sea against Ravichandran Ashwin's mastery of the ball. He opened the floodgates for the home side after dismissing Usman Khawaja in his very first over of the innings. Things only got worse for the visitors as Ashwin got into his groove without wasting any time, spinning a web around the Aussie batters.

Ashwin and Jadeja ran amok in the second innings

Marnus Labuschagne, who was Australia's best batter in the first innings, survived a close LBW call against Mohammed Shami. However, he was trapped in front by Ravindra Jadeja to dent Australia's hopes of a comeback in the Test match. Even though Steve Smith fought hard from one end, the Indian spinners kept chipping at the wickets from the other end.

Ashwin's love affair with the Australians continued as he starred with a magnificent five-for, overtaking Harbhajan Singh to become the second-most successful bowler in the Border Gavaskar series. Mohammed Shami, who played a handy cameo with the bat, got rid of the last two batters in quick succession to dismiss Australia for an embarrassing 91 runs, their second-lowest total against India.

Here is how Twitter reacted to India's comprehensive victory by an innings and 132 runs in Nagpur:

India has won the first test by an innings and 132 runs.
#INDvAUS

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) February 11, 2023

Never judge a pitch until both teams have batted on it. If both teams struggle, it's the pitch. If just one team struggles, it's the skills. Well played Team India 🇮🇳 👏🏽 #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/b7QgZXlCXU

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) February 11, 2023

India were 5 down even before we got the lead, and now we are ahead by 223 runs. Speaks a lot about our batting depth and contributions by our lower order. Well done @akshar2026 & @MdShami11!#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/XMYA5IifxS

— Sachin Tendulkar (@sachin_rt) February 11, 2023

Domination 👊

Outstanding effort from India to go 1-0 up against Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 👌#WTC23 | #INDvAUS | 📝: https://t.co/69XuLpfYpL pic.twitter.com/d6VR2t7Zyp

— ICC (@ICC) February 11, 2023

🏆 HOW THINGS STAND! We inch closer to sealing a spot in the final of the World Test Championship 2021-23.

🙌 Let's win the remaining games & book our ticket to the final, boys!#INDvAUS #AUSvIND #BorderGavaskarTrophy #TeamIndia #BharatArmy pic.twitter.com/6hJ2ii1dRJ

— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy) February 11, 2023

Australia have been dismissed for their lowest total in India, getting all out for 91 in the second innings against India to succumb to a massive defeat by an innings and 132 runs.#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/ZRSKZcryd2

— Wisden (@WisdenCricket) February 11, 2023

Complete dominance by #TeamIndia to seal a phenomenal win. Skipper @ImRo45 led from the front and was backed well with @imjadeja & @ashwinravi99’s support. @akshar2026 was excellent too #INDvAUS

— Anil Kumble (@anilkumble1074) February 11, 2023

India dominated the Test from the start to finish.
Terrific start to the #BorderGavaskarTrophy!#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/iGhQtfgQM4

— DK (@DineshKarthik) February 11, 2023

👇👇👇👇 https://t.co/mWvnPa8ADp

— Damien Martyn🏏 (@damienmartyn) February 11, 2023

🖐️🇮🇳 #blessed #grateful pic.twitter.com/jWctbSMmLJ

— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) February 11, 2023

Well done Team India on your Sensational win by a huge margin. There needs to be a bonus point for this. 😂😂😂.#INDvAUS

— Laxman Sivaramakrishnan (@LaxmanSivarama1) February 11, 2023

𝗩𝗶𝗰𝘁𝗼𝗿𝘆 𝗶𝗻 𝗡𝗮𝗴𝗽𝘂𝗿! #TeamIndia 🇮🇳 win by an innings & 1️⃣3️⃣2️⃣ runs and take a 1️⃣-0️⃣ lead in the series 👏🏻👏🏻

What a start to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023 👌🏻

Scorecard ▶️ https://t.co/SwTGoyHfZx…#INDvAUS | @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/jCVDsoJ3i6

— BCCI (@BCCI) February 11, 2023

What a performance by Team India.
Australia seemed to have lost the natch before it began with too much emphasis on the pitch. India batted skillfully which is what Test cricket demands and scored 400 , Australia were playing a different wicket in their minds. Well done, Boys pic.twitter.com/yYySfXh8lb

— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) February 11, 2023

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