The Indian bowlers scrapped hard on the final day to eke out a historic win as the Australians put up a real fight on an Adelaide surface which had firmed up and became good for batting.
Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami were brilliant on the final day and were ably assisted by Ishant Sharma and R Ashwin. Although, Ashwin could not get as many wickets as expected he wheeled away at one end and kept plugging away.
However, it was all down to the fast bowlers and there vagaries which accounted for the hosts. Shaun Marsh, Tim Paine, Pat Cummins, and then Nathan Lyon all put a hefty price on their wickets and fought right till the very end. The visitors had just about enough runs on the board to walk away victorious in the first Test match.
Cheteshwar Pujara, who was the difference between the two sides with the bat, was adjudged the man of the match. The teams now head across to Perth for the second Test and both sets of bowlers would need complete rest for their recovery.
It was a historic win for India and Virat Kohli became the first Asian captain to win Tests in England, Australia and South Africa.
Here is how Twitter reacted to India's win:
@KyaUkhaadLega pic.twitter.com/iLZHqRWite
— अंकित जैन (@indiantweeter) December 10, 2018
GREAT Test Match ... 2018 has been a tremendous year for the BEST format ... India deserved winners ... The celebrations of @imVkohli tell you everything ... I think we are In for a special series @FoxCricket ... Absolutely loved this week on air #Adelaide #AUSvIND
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) December 10, 2018
In this day and age of attacking batting, this Test win is a great endorsement of defensive batting. Defence can be a winning tactic.#Pujara
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) December 10, 2018
Amazing grit displayed by the Australian lower order, but this is a moment to savour for a long time for Team India. The bowlers gave it everything and let’s just enjoy this and carry the momentum into the Perth Test #AusvInd
— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) December 10, 2018
I think @imVkohli is happy pic.twitter.com/X091R4OdPx
— simon hughes (@theanalyst) December 10, 2018
Aust had not lost the first Test of a home summer since 1988. India had never won the first Test of a series in Aust #AusvInd
— Daniel Brettig (@danbrettig) December 10, 2018
Great win by team India @BCCI. Bowlers have put their hands up and performed exceptionally. But one man made the difference in both the innings @cheteshwar1 just like Rahul bhai did years ago in the same ground ? #AUDvIND
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) December 10, 2018
Indian captains with most Test wins:
— Rajneesh Gupta (@rgcricket) December 10, 2018
27 MS Dhoni (in 60 Tests)
25 VIRAT KOHLI (in 43)
21 Sourav GAnguly (in 49)
14 Mohammad Azharuddin (in 47)#AUSvIND #AUSvsIND
Test Cricket is Best Cricket. Great fight by Australia in the end but India were too good. Winning after being 41-4 in first innings is a special effort. Outstanding Test match for Pujara and great effort from our bowlers. Promises to be a great series #AusvInd pic.twitter.com/PEYzKuBsap
— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) December 10, 2018