The first Test between India and Australia took an intriguing turn on Friday as India made a remarkable comeback after a collapse in the first innings. Jasprit Bumrah led a stunning bowling performance, dismissing the Australian top order and leaving the hosts in disarray. At the close of Day 1, Australia was struggling at 67-7, with Bumrah taking 4-17, leaving India in a favorable position.
India’s Early Struggles: A Bowler’s Paradise
India, having been invited to bat first, could not cope with Australia’s searing pace attack. The pitch, offering significant bounce and movement, was a nightmare for the Indian batsmen. India’s total was restricted to a modest 150 runs, with the Australian bowlers, especially Josh Hazlewood, wreaking havoc. Hazlewood was the standout, finishing with figures of 4-29, troubling India’s fragile batting lineup.
Key Performances in India’s Innings
While India’s top order faltered, two players managed to show some resistance. Nitish Kumar Reddy, on debut, displayed composure and technical prowess, scoring 41 runs, while Rishabh Pant provided some fireworks with a brisk 37. However, the Indian batting line-up was unable to stand firm against the relentless pace attack, and once again, star batsman Virat Kohli failed to make an impact, getting out for just five runs.
Kohli’s failure to score heavily, particularly in tough conditions, raised questions about his form in the Australian conditions. Despite this, Reddy remained optimistic, focusing on the positives. “We have the advantage now, and I’m hoping we can bat better in the second innings and put them under pressure,” he said.
Australia’s Response: Bumrah’s Thunderous Spell
When Australia came to bat, the Indian bowlers, led by Bumrah, came out with a vengeance. Bumrah’s devastating spell ripped through the Australian top order, removing key wickets and reducing the hosts to a precarious position. Nathan McSweeney was sent packing for just 10, while Marnus Labuschagne survived a near-certain dismissal when Virat Kohli dropped a sitter in the slip. However, India was soon in the wickets again, with Kohli redeeming himself by holding on to a catch off Bumrah to dismiss Usman Khawaja for just eight.
The turning point came when Bumrah trapped Steve Smith lbw off the very next ball. India had Australia reeling at 25-3, and the momentum firmly shifted in India’s favor.
Bumrah’s Brilliance: A Masterclass in Fast Bowling
Bumrah’s spell was the highlight of the day. He was relentless, accurate, and aggressive, exploiting the conditions to full effect. With the ball swinging both ways, Bumrah made life difficult for the Australian batsmen, knocking over Pat Cummins for just three runs. His performance, spearheading the Indian attack, was a testament to his skills as a world-class fast bowler.
“Obviously, it was a good day to be a fast bowler. Both teams with the ball in hand bowled a lot of good stuff,” said Australia’s Mitchell Starc, acknowledging the challenging conditions that helped the fast bowlers. “There was a fair bit in the wicket, swing and sideways movement, and some good pace and carry.”
India’s Bowling Success: Support from Siraj and Rana
While Bumrah stole the limelight, there were other notable performances with the ball. Mohammed Siraj, who has been a key figure in India’s fast-bowling attack, took the crucial wicket of Labuschagne, bowling him out for just two runs. Additionally, Harshit Rana, in just his first Test match, made an immediate impact by cleaning up Travis Head for a duck, securing his first-ever Test wicket. This partnership of Bumrah and Siraj was instrumental in India’s dominance on the day.
India’s Fragile Batting Line-up: Absence of Key Players
India’s struggles with the bat were compounded by the absence of regular captain Rohit Sharma, who had to miss the Test due to personal reasons, and opener Shubman Gill, who was sidelined due to injury. This left the Indian batting lineup looking vulnerable, and the decision to drop seasoned players like Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja only added to the uncertainty.
India’s opening partnership failed to fire, with Yashasvi Jaiswal falling for a duck after edging a delivery from Starc to McSweeney in the gully. With the middle order crumbling, the pressure mounted on India to set a competitive target. The Indian team needed a strong second innings to bounce back from their modest first innings total.
Australia’s Struggles: A Lack of Stability
Australia’s response with the bat continued to be a struggle. After losing early wickets, they found no respite as the pressure mounted. The normally reliable Smith, Labuschagne, and Khawaja all fell cheaply. Australia’s fragile batting lineup has been a concern for some time, and their inability to cope with India’s pace attack only exacerbated the issue. The absence of the experienced David Warner, who retired recently, has left a void that Australia is yet to fill.
Looking Ahead: A Nail-biting Contest
With Australia at 67-7, the stage was set for an enthralling second day of the Test. India had a real chance to put their opponents out of the contest early, but the game was far from over. Alex Carey (19) and Mitchell Starc (6) remained at the crease, and Australia would need a herculean effort to make a comeback.
“We’ll come out tomorrow and try and get as close to their total as we can,” said Starc, knowing that every run would count in this low-scoring encounter.
FAQs
1. Why was Virat Kohli dismissed cheaply in the first innings?
Kohli struggled against the pace and bounce of the Australian bowlers, particularly Hazlewood. He edged a delivery to slip, where Khawaja took a catch, which was a disappointing dismissal for the Indian captain.
2. What role did Jasprit Bumrah play in India’s success?
Bumrah was the standout bowler for India, taking 4 wickets and leading the attack. His devastating spell dismantled Australia’s top order, leaving them in a vulnerable position.
3. How did the Australian bowlers perform?
Josh Hazlewood was the pick of the Australian bowlers, taking 4 wickets for 29 runs. His consistent pressure and ability to extract bounce from the pitch were key factors in India’s early collapse.
4. How does India’s batting lineup look without Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill?
India’s batting looked fragile in the absence of regular captain Rohit Sharma and opener Shubman Gill. This gap in the lineup put extra pressure on players like Kohli, Pant, and Reddy to perform.
5. What are the expectations for Day 2?
With Australia at 67-7, India is in a commanding position. The Indian bowlers will look to finish the job early, while Australia will rely on Carey and Starc to fight back and reduce the deficit.
Conclusion
India’s performance on Day 1 of the first Test against Australia in Perth was a roller-coaster of emotions. After a disappointing first innings, they fought back valiantly, with Bumrah leading the charge. Australia’s poor batting display left them with a steep mountain to climb. As the Test progresses, it promises to be a thrilling contest with both teams giving their all.
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