India edge defiant Australia by 31 runs to claim rare win in test opener

India crushed a lower-order insurrection to secure a nerve-jangling 31-run victory in the first test against Australia on Monday, raising the South Asian nation’s hopes of a breakthrough series win Down Under.

The tourists despatched Australia’s last four batsmen in the middle session of the final day at Adelaide Oval to send India’s ‘Swami Army’ of travelling fans into raptures in the sparse fifth day crowd.

Faced with a docile wicket and tenacious tail-end slogging, Virat Kohli’s team bowled with patience and determination to claim India’s first win in the country since Anil Kumble’s men beat a Ricky Ponting-led Australia by 72 runs in Perth in 2008.

It was also India’s first win in a test series-opener in Australia and they will head to Perth for the second of the four scheduled contests full of confidence.

Spinner Ravichandran Ashwin took the final wicket of Josh Hazlewood for 13 to dismiss Australia for 291, with Nathan Lyon unbeaten on 38 after a valiant chase of 323 for victory.

“These things happen in test cricket ... but it’s important to stay calm at that point,” Kohli said in a post-match interview. “They gave it a go, they tried their best but I think we executed our plans eventually.”

After suffering defeat in their first home test without the suspended Steve Smith and David Warner, Tim Paine’s Australia will go into the second match with grave fears about their batting confirmed.