Australia demolished by India in Perth as Pat Cummins side slump to shocking 295-run defeat as Marnus Labuschagne is slammed for 'inexplicable' moment

Pat Cummins' side slumped to a huge 295-run defeat by India in the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar series in Perth.

After Australia struggled with the ball in hand on Thursday, with Virat Kohli and Yashasvi Jaiswal hitting a pair of centuries for the tourists, the hosts' hopes of snatching a victory appeared to slip further and further away.

Starting the fourth day with 12 runs for three wickets, Australia's batting collapse on Sunday appeared to carry on into Monday morning.

Pat Cummins, Marnus Labuschagne and Nathan McSweeney had all been dismissed before the close of play yesterday, with Usman Khawaja and Steve Smith both following earlier today.

Despite an inspired 89 from Travis Head and 47 runs from Mitchell Marsh, Australia could only manage a second-innings score of 238, putting a dent in the huge lead set by Jasprit Bumrah and his side.

The result has raised further questions over the credentials of Australia's top-order batters, with Steve Smith also struggling on day four, hitting 17 runs off 60 deliveries.

Pat Cummins' side slumped to a disappointing 295-run defeat by India in Perth on Monday

Jasprit Bumrah took eight wickets during the opening Test, guiding his side to a dominant win

Australia wrapped up the day with a score of 238 runs, a dent in India's 534-run lead set following their second innings

He and Labuschagne are now firmly in the spotlight, with Smith also notably being dismissed for no runs in the first innings, while the Queensland batter was sent walking for two, off 52.

On a pacey wicket and against the firepower of India captain Bumrah - who took a whopping eight wickets - and Mohamed Siraj, scoring runs appeared a difficult task, with the Baggy Greens managing just 104 runs in their first innings.

'Fairly disappointing,' Cummins said to Fox Cricket reflecting on the match. 'We thought our prep leading in was really good.

'It was one of those games where not much went right. So [we've got] a fair bit to look at leading into next week.'

When pressed by Adam Gilchrist over whether Australia's top order are safe in their positions, Cummins said: 'There's a lot of experience there, this summer it's a sample size of one.

'They're going about it and doing really well but no doubt we've got a bit of work to do.

'This week I'm sure there will be plenty of conversations. Plenty of time in the nets. If we come up against a similar attack in similar conditions, what are those things we could have done a bit better?'

Australia will now have an 11-day break before they return to take on India in Adelaide, and when asked whether the break will be beneficial to help Australia turn things around, Cummins said: 'It is what it is.

Questions have now been raised over the form of Australia's top-order batters, with Cummins stating 'conversations' will be had this week

India will now head into the second Test in Adelaide with bags of confidence, after they undid the pain of their 3-0 series defeat by New Zealand

Travis Head was Australia's best scorer on day four, coming in at No 6 to manage 89 runs off 101

'After a loss you always want to get back on the horse pretty quickly but we'll take a couple of days rest and we'll get into Adelaide and I think we'll have good prep leading into that Test.'

While Australia have multiple things they will need to fix ahead of the second Test, India, will take plenty of confidence from their victory, bouncing back after their dismal 3-0 series defeat against New Zealand.

Bumrah was sensational throughout, adding to his five-wicket haul from earlier this weekend with another three dismissals during the final wickets.

Pundits question Labuschagne's form

Questions have been raised over the form of Labuschagne following the match, after the No 3 was sent walking for lbw on Sunday afternoon on the fifth delivery he had faced.

The Glamorgan and Queensland batsman had not even offered a shot before a ball from Bumrah found him floundering wide of his crease. The ball subsequently struck him square in the pads.

He would subsequently review the decision, which many fans online thought was plum, with television match officials concurring with the on-field decision.

'Labuschagne’s got it horribly wrong,' James Brayshaw said on Channel Seven's coverage.

Questions have been raised over Marnus Labuschagne's recent form, with one pundit claiming he has 'lost his technique'

The Queensland batter stepped up to the crease on Sunday night but was dismissed for three runs after falling victim to a stunning delivery from Bumrah

Yashasvi Jaiswal enjoyed a sensational second innings, hitting a superb score of 161 runs

Virat Kohli also dazzled to help India set Australia a mammoth target, with the ex-captain breaking his 16-innings wait for a century

Former Test bowler Damien Fleming offered his view on the dismissal on SEN, claiming: 'You can handle playing a shot to a good ball and getting an outside edge.

'That type of dismissal is just not good enough from your No.3 in a tough battle.

'It was a good length, it was just outside off stump, it didn’t do anything extreme.'

Australian cricket journalist Peter Lalor claimed it was 'inexplicable' that Labuschagne, 30, did not attempt to use his bat to fend off the delivery.

SEN commentator and Footy broadcasting legend Gerard Whateley claimed that his misjudgement shows he has 'lost technique' before questioning the Aussie No 3's credentials in the Test side.

'You cannot go out there without the intention to use your bat. It’s so symbolic of where he finds himself in his game,' Whateley said.

But with Smith also struggling, being dismissed for 17 runs on Monday, big question marks revolve over where Australia are going to score.

More to follow...

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