All talk of Australia putting India’s home dominance under threat faded into a whimper inside three days in Nagpur on Saturday.

India completed the demolition job by bowling Pat Cummins’ men out for 91 in 32.3 overs in their second essay to win the first Test by an innings and 132 runs. Sixteen of the 20 wickets to fall went to the spinners as the visitors failed to apply themselves in conditions which could at best be described as challenging for the batters.

Ravichandran Ashwin led the Australian collapse in the second innings with 5 for 37, his 31st five-wicket haul. Ravindra Jadeja, who took seven wickets in the match, besides a solid 70, was the Man of the Match.

Australia started the day 144 runs behind, needing a miracle to stay alive in the Test. Jadeja was dismissed early, but Axar Patel added 52 and 20 with Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj, respectively, as India’s lead swelled to 223.

Ashwin opened the attack unlike the first innings where he came on as the fifth bowler. The move paid dividends early as the off spinner lured Usman Khawaja into a cover drive and had him caught at slip. Ashwin could have had David Warner early as well had Virat Kohli held on to a regulation take at slip. Ashwin soon had him trapped leg before with a ball going straight on from around the wicket.

Marnus Labuschagne (17) hit a few boundaries but when Jadeja flighted one which turned a shade after pitching, the right-hander was plumb in front.

Much like Labuschagne, Matt Renshaw was leg before to a fullish ball. Another classic off-break from round the wicket claimed Peter Handscomb too. The Aussies never really recovered despite Steve Smith’s defiance.

India stay second in the World Test Championship table, behind Australia. India now have a win percentage of 61.67, while Australia saw their win percentage decrease from 75.56 per cent to 70.83.

Written with PTI inputs