Nathan Lyon bowled Australia to a gripping 48-run victory with Indian skipper Virat Kohli almost conjuring a come-from-behind win with a magnificent last day century in the first Adelaide Test on Saturday.
The off-spinner claimed seven wickets in India’s second innings and 12 for the match as he spun the home side to a thrilling triumph after Australia had set the tourists 364 runs for victory on a rollercoaster final day.
No team has scored more than 315 runs and won in Adelaide since 1902, but Kohli almost singlehandedly brought off an astonishing win with his second century of the match before he was caught on the boundary rope for 141 in the 82nd over.
While Kohli had an impressive near victory in his first Test as India’s captain, it was the maligned Lyon who was Australia’s match-winner, snaring seven for 152 on the wearing Adelaide drop-in pitch to go with his five for 134 in the first innings.
“It’s very special. This first Test is one we will remember and cherish for the rest of our careers, there’s no doubt about that,” injured Australia skipper Michael Clarke said.
“The way the boys didn’t fear losing and tried to push as hard as they could to try and win the game was something I was very proud of.”
Kohli became the second Indian since Vijay Hazare to score two centuries in a Test at the Adelaide Oval since 1948.
But batting partner Murali Vijay, on 99, had no such luck and was cruelly out leg before wicket to Lyon three balls after Kohli raised his second century.
Vijay was crestfallen and needed Kohli to console him and send him on his way ending an 185-run stand for the third wicket which had the tourists on course for victory.
– ‘Being positive’ –
Ajinkya Rahane was out five balls later when he played forward and was given out caught by Chris Rogers at short leg, handing Lyon his second wicket of the over.
David Warner then took a brilliant one-handed catch at leg slip to dismiss Rohit Sharma (6) and give Lyon his fourth wicket of the innings as the game continued to ebb and flow.
Wriddhiman Saha continued India’s run chase with a six and a sweep for four but he went for another big heave and was bowled by Lyon.
Kohli’s majestic innings came to an end six overs from the finish with a marvellous catch by Mitchell Marsh on the boundary rope to kill off India’s last main hope.
Kohli had pulled Lyon to Marsh with his eyes into the sun but he took the catch just off the ground. The Indian skipper was given a standing ovation as he left the ground.
“I was reacting and being positive at the crease, nothing more than that, playing on my instinct and at the same time trying to calculate the innings and the target as well,” Kohli said.
“I was hoping that Mitch Marsh would drop the catch, but I went for my shot, I don’t have any regrets, probably could have placed it better, but they are big ‘ifs’.”
Mohammed Shami holed out to Mitchell Johnson for five off Harris and Johnson trapped Varun Aaron leg before wicket for one with the first delivery of the second new ball.
Lyon took the final wicket and his seventh of the innings with Ishant Sharma stumped by Brad Haddin in the 88th over.
Haddin took over the captaincy after Michael Clarke suffered a new hamstring injury after pulling up sharply while fielding after lunch.
Clarke hobbled in pain from the ground and said later he will miss the rest of the India series.
Clarke suffered a recurrence of his long-term back injury while batting on Tuesday’s opening day which forced him to retire hurt.
He had injections to soothe spasms in his back and returned to the crease the next day to complete a century.
The Australians grabbed the wickets of Shikhar Dhawan and Cheteshwar Pujara before lunch but Vijay and Kohli resisted for almost 50 overs and gave their team hope of a memorable come-from-behind victory.
