Smith, Kohli both certain India will bounce back
Hosts’ 19-Test unbeaten run ended in emphatic fashion after 333-run defeat in three days
Blown to Smith-ereens: Australia dominated India throughout the Test and skipper Smith is happy with the way they never let the pressure relent. PHOTO: AFP
PUNE:
Australia skipper Steve Smith has warned his players against complacency and expects India to come back hard after the hosts' crushing first Test defeat in Pune.
The tourists on Saturday demolished India by 333 runs inside three days to take a 1-0 lead in the four-Test series with left-arm spinner Steve O'Keefe the unlikely hero.
O'Keefe claimed a match haul of 12 wickets to help skittle out India for 105 and 107.
Set a world-record fourth innings target of 441, the world's number one Test side folded in just over a session to enable Australia register their first win in India since 2004.
Second-ranked Australia also ended India's unbeaten streak of 19 Tests stretching back to August 2015, but Smith still believes the tourists have a long way to go to secure the four-match series.
"It's certainly going to be a difficult next three Test matches. India are a quality side in their own backyard and they are going to come back hard at us," said Smith. "For us it's continuing to worry about the processes and if we do that for long periods, hopefully we can have more success on this tour."
Smith expressed satisfaction with his team's ability to learn from past mistakes after coming into the series on the back of nine Test losses in Asia.
"We probably kept the foot on the throat [in Pune]. When we got ourselves in the positions to win in Sri Lanka, we let the opposition get back into the game," said Smith, whose side were whitewashed by Sri Lanka 3-0 last year. "In this Test, we didn't let India back in the game after the first innings. So that it's pleasing we're learning and trying to improve in different ways.”
Australian batsmen also stood up to India's spin threat on a viciously turning track.
Matt Renshaw's 68 and Michell Starc's 61 showed grit in the first innings of 260 and Smith led by example with 109, his first century in India, to guide the second innings to 285.
"We know as batters the longer you are out in the middle, [the more] things get easier. The plans the guys had in this Test match were really good and I hope we keep them going," said Smith.
India skipper Virat Kohli also vowed to bounce back as the teams head to Bangalore for the second Test starting March 4.
"We just want to take the lessons forward, improve and come back stronger in the next game," said Kohli after the bruising loss. "I can assure you that we are going to come back with more intent for sure and put Australia under pressure straight from ball one," he said.
Australia skipper Steve Smith has warned his players against complacency and expects India to come back hard after the hosts' crushing first Test defeat in Pune.
The tourists on Saturday demolished India by 333 runs inside three days to take a 1-0 lead in the four-Test series with left-arm spinner Steve O'Keefe the unlikely hero.
O'Keefe claimed a match haul of 12 wickets to help skittle out India for 105 and 107.
Australia end India’s 19-match unbeaten streak
Set a world-record fourth innings target of 441, the world's number one Test side folded in just over a session to enable Australia register their first win in India since 2004.
Second-ranked Australia also ended India's unbeaten streak of 19 Tests stretching back to August 2015, but Smith still believes the tourists have a long way to go to secure the four-match series.
"It's certainly going to be a difficult next three Test matches. India are a quality side in their own backyard and they are going to come back hard at us," said Smith. "For us it's continuing to worry about the processes and if we do that for long periods, hopefully we can have more success on this tour."
Day two: O'Keefe, Smith dominate India in Pune Test
Smith expressed satisfaction with his team's ability to learn from past mistakes after coming into the series on the back of nine Test losses in Asia.
"We probably kept the foot on the throat [in Pune]. When we got ourselves in the positions to win in Sri Lanka, we let the opposition get back into the game," said Smith, whose side were whitewashed by Sri Lanka 3-0 last year. "In this Test, we didn't let India back in the game after the first innings. So that it's pleasing we're learning and trying to improve in different ways.”
Australian batsmen also stood up to India's spin threat on a viciously turning track.
Renshaw, Starc keep Australia alive against India
Matt Renshaw's 68 and Michell Starc's 61 showed grit in the first innings of 260 and Smith led by example with 109, his first century in India, to guide the second innings to 285.
"We know as batters the longer you are out in the middle, [the more] things get easier. The plans the guys had in this Test match were really good and I hope we keep them going," said Smith.
India skipper Virat Kohli also vowed to bounce back as the teams head to Bangalore for the second Test starting March 4.
"We just want to take the lessons forward, improve and come back stronger in the next game," said Kohli after the bruising loss. "I can assure you that we are going to come back with more intent for sure and put Australia under pressure straight from ball one," he said.