IND vs AUS: The most awaited Border-Gavaskar began with the Indian team showing their domination over Australia on the first day of the 1st Test match played at VCA Stadium, Nagpur on 9 February 2023.
Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and decided to bat first. Indian team handed two debutants, Surya Kumar Yadav and KS Bharat. It was a disciplined bowling effort by the Indian team to bowl out the visitors for a modest total. The hosts ended the opening day in a strong position at 77 for 1.
Here we look at the 5 reasons why India dominated the first day against Australia:
An early strike by the pacers
Australian captain Pat Cummins won the toss and decided to bat first. Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed were the two pacers included in the playing XI by Rohit Sharma. It was an ideal start for the Indian team as Siraj got rid of Usman Khawaja with a review for LBW. The umpire called not out but discussion with Srikar Bharat and others, Rohit Sharma decided to challenge the decision.
The decision was overturned and the team was happy to get rid of Khawaja. Mohammed Shami produced a peach of a delivery to dismiss David Warner with stumps going cartwheel to leave Australia in big trouble at 2 for 2.
Mohammed Siraj and Shami produced some lovely deliveries to Smith and Labuschagne. It was a remarkable performance by Siraj and Shami to get rid of Australian openers cheaply.
Ravindra Jadeja shines on the comeback
Ravindra Jadeja made a comeback into the playing XI after a long time. He looked sharp with consistent lines and lengths troubling all Australian batters. Before the Test series, Jadeja took part in the Ranji Trophy match against Tamil Nadu and picked 7 wickets in the second innings.
After the lunch break, Jadeja dismissed Marnus Labuschagne with lovely stumping by Srikar Bharat and then Matt Renshaw off the very next delivery. He then produced stunning delivery to get rid of Steve Smith to leave Australia in trouble.
JADEJA is M. O. O. D! 😊👊
A huge wicket for #TeamIndia as Steve Smith is dismissed! 👏 👏
Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/SwTGoyHfZx #INDvAUS | @imjadeja | @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/9NAPz5Lt1D
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 9, 2023
He was taken off the bowling attack as Carey and Handscomb kept scoring runs easily. Jadeja did the damage again right before the tea break getting rid of debutant Todd Murphy. He then dismissed Handscomb with stump-to-stump delivery to pick up his 5th wicket haul. Jadeja ended with figures of 5 for 47 in 22 overs going at an economy of 2.13 runs per over.
Spinners picked up 8 wickets on day 1
The Indian team had three spinners including Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and R Ashwin. Axar Patel looked out of touch as he was not able to pick any wickets.
Ravindra Jadeja showed his class after making a comeback for the Indian team. After the lunch break, Jadeja got the breakthrough dismissing Labuschagne with lovely stumping by Srikar Bharat and then Renshaw off successive deliveries. He then produced a beauty to get rid of Steve Smith leaving Australia in trouble.
Ravichandran Ashwin got the breakthrough dismissing Alex Carey trying to reverse the sweep. There was a lot of turn and bite for Indian spinners. Ashwin then dismissed Pat Cummins with simple catch to Kohli. Ravindra Jadeja got rid of Todd Murphy to leave Australia in big trouble.
After the tea break, Ravindra Jadeja got rid of Handscomb to pick his 5th wicket. Ravichandran Ashwin ended the innings with lovely delivery to dismiss Scott Boland skittling out IND vs AUS for a paltry total of 177. Jadeja ended figures of 5 for 47 in 22 overs, Ashwin 3 for 42.
Solid opening partnership
In reply to Australia’s total, Rohit Sharma looked in great touch with attacking shots keeping the scoreboard ticking while KL Rahul was making comeback into the playing after a short break.
Rohit Sharma kept the momentum going for the Indian team while KL Rahul struggled to hit shots. Right before stumps, KL Rahul provided a simple return to debutant Todd Murphy. The Indian openers put on 76 runs laying a strong foundation. Rahul made 20 off 71 deliveries with only 1 boundary. It was a dominating day for Team India after being asked to field first.
FIFTY!
A well made half-century for #TeamIndia Captain @ImRo45 👏👏
His 15th in Test cricket.
Live – https://t.co/edMqDi4dkU #INDvAUS @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/31VHpUbmcp
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 9, 2023
A captain’s knock by Rohit Sharma
Rohit Sharma began with innings with some lovely shots against Pat Cummins. He looked in decent touch keeping the scoreboard ticking hitting boundaries and not allowing the Australian bowlers especially Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy to settle.
Sharma kept the momentum going for IND vs AUS completing his half-century off 66 deliveries. Despite few balls going past the edge, the Indian captain showed attacking skills and remained not out on 56 off 69 deliveries with 9 boundaries and 1 six.
The Indian team ended the first day in a strong position at 77 for 1 and would ensure that the hosts keep the throat on the Australian team.
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