Perth, January 19:

India became the first subcontinent team to win a Test in Perth and crushed Australia’s world-record winning-streak ambitions with a 72-run win here today.

Following the bitter second-Test racial controversies, India responded best to post a victory that gave them the hope of squaring the four-Test series starting in Adelaide from January 24.

India is making a habit of upsetting Australia’s winning streaks. Australia had been

aiming for a 17th consecutive Test victory but — as it did when Australia last won 16 straight in 2001 — India brought that run to an end.

India also appear the only team capable of testing Australia on home soil. This home loss

was the first Australia had suffered in 26 Tests since India won in Adelaide in late 2003.

Faced with a target of 413 — a fourth-innings target which had only been successfully chased once in test history — Australia began the day on 65-2 and was bowled out for 340, as India took wickets at a steady clip to prevent the home side gaining momentum.

India looked on course for a comfortable win when it reduced Australia to 253-8, but tailender Mitchell Johnson (50 not out) and Stuart Clark (32) used the long handle in a 73-run ninth-wicket stand that briefly threatened an extraordinary comeback. India claimed the last two wickets late on the fourth day.

India became the first team from the subcontinent to win at the WACA Ground. Of touring sides, only West Indies (five times) and England (once) have previously won Tests at the WACA in the 35 Tests played here.