In a dramatic opening to the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Perth, India faced a challenging day on the pitch, collapsing to 150 all out before tea. However, their bowlers quickly turned the tables, leaving Australia reeling at 67-7 by day’s end. This stark contrast highlighted not only the volatility of Test cricket but also set the stage for what promises to be an exhilarating series.
Choosing to bat first, India encountered immediate difficulties. With six changes made following their recent defeat by New Zealand, they found themselves in dire straits at 32-3 and later 73-6.
The team’s captain Rohit Sharma was absent due to personal reasons, while Shubman Gill’s injury left a significant gap in the lineup. Virat Kohli continued to struggle with form, scoring just five runs and marking his fifth single-digit score in ten innings.
Despite the early setbacks, Rishabh Pant (37) and debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy (41) managed a spirited counterattack, pushing India to a modest total before being bowled out within two sessions.
In response, Australia’s batting lineup faced immediate pressure from India’s bowlers. Jasprit Bumrah delivered a stunning performance that decimated the Australian top order, leaving them at 19-3 early on.
Bumrah’s impressive spell included dismissing key players like Steve Smith and Nathan McSweeney, while Mohammed Siraj added to the misery for Australia by trapping Marnus Labuschagne lbw.
As stumps approached, Australia found themselves in an alarming position at 67-7, trailing by 83 runs. This day marked a record for the most wickets—17—to fall on an opening day of a Test in Australia since 1952.
As play resumes at 02:20 GMT on Saturday, both teams will be keenly aware of the stakes involved. India must consolidate its bowling attack while seeking more stability from its batting lineup. Meanwhile, Australia will aim to recover from their disastrous start and capitalize on any weaknesses displayed by their opponents.
Given the unpredictable nature of Test cricket, fans can anticipate more twists and turns as this gripping series unfolds.
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