"We'll blow them away": Sourav Ganguly fires shots at Australian media after India's Perth Test domination

Sourav Ganguly delivered a bold message to Australia after the Indian cricket team’s dominant victory in the first Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 in Perth. Mentioning the pre-Test series hype that Australia would easily defeat India, the legendary cricketer has pointed out that it was the same Indian team that had blown the hosts away.

The first Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 sent shockwaves through Australian cricket, with Team India delivering a dominant all-round performance that turned pre-series predictions on their head at the Optus Stadium in Perth.

Sourav Ganguly praises India, warns Australia of tough Test series ahead

Jasprit Bumrah's fiery captaincy, along with stunning bowling, Yashasvi Jaiswal's sublime debut century, and Virat Kohli’s masterclass set the tone for an emphatic 295-run victory for the Indian cricket team in the Perth Test, leaving the entire Australia stunned, as they were downplaying the tourists.

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India's remarkable 295-run win in Perth, especially after a first-innings collapse to just 150, has been hailed as one of their greatest Test victories in Australia. Stand-in captain Bumrah led the turnaround by taking eight wickets, and Jaiswal played a stunning knock of 161 runs, while Kohli celebrated his return to form with a masterful 100*—his 30th Test century.

With a massive target of 534 on hand, the Australian cricket team was dismissed for just 238, handing India a 1-0 lead in the ongoing five-match Test series. This remarkable win came after their disappointing 3-0 loss to New Zealand at home, and Ganguly feels it was just the start of India's dominance on Australian soil in this series.

Play well; otherwise, it's going to be a long series for you: Sourav Ganguly to Australian team

The former Indian captain hailed the national team’s depth of talent and warned Australia that the ongoing high-voltage Test series could turn into a nightmare if they don’t step up. Ganguly also highlighted the impact of young stars like Jaiswal and Nitish Kumar Reddy, saying the tourists will continue to put pressure on Australians throughout the remaining Test matches.

Sourav Ganguly said on the sidelines of the IPL 2025 mega auction in Jeddah: “Obviously there were media reports in Australia that 'we will blow them away.' Look who has blown them away in the first Test. Indian cricket has enormous talent, and this is for Australia: Play well; otherwise, it's going to be a long series for you.”

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The former BCCI president further noted, “It's great to see Bumrah, wow! Bumrah, Kohli, and Yashasvi—a 22-year-old, first Test in Australia, superb! I liked the young boy from Hyderabad, Nitish (Kumar) Reddy. The seamers bowled well. They never looked out of place on a big occasion, on a big stage, playing for India. They'll keep putting pressure on Australia in the next four matches.”

I've got my fingers crossed for India winning BGT 2024-25: Ganguly

The legendary cricketer also warned that the upcoming day-night Test will present a different challenge to the Indian cricket team. However, the tourists will play a day-night practice match before the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, starting on December 6.

Ganguly signed off by saying, “The next Test is important for me because in day-night Tests, Australia has a great record in Adelaide. We Indians will have to get used to that pink ball. But it's a long series, and I've got my fingers crossed for India winning the series.”