Usman Khawaja of Australia plays a shot during the first day of the 4th Cricket Test match between India and Australia in Ahmedabad, India, Thursday, March 9, 2023. (AP Photo/Ajit Solanki)
Australian opener Usman Khawaja led from the front as his unbeaten century helped the visiting team justify their call to bat after winning the toss and scoring runs.
Australia put in a strong performance on the opening day of the final Test match against India in the Border-Gavaskar series in Ahmedabad as the visitors ended the first day with 255 runs on the board for the loss of just four wickets.
Australian opener Usman Khawaja led from the front as his unbeaten century helped the visiting team score runs and justified their call to bat after winning the toss.
“It was nice to go out there and get a century in India,” Khawaja said after his knock of 104 off 251 balls. Narendra Modi Stadium.
When asked about the heat, the left-handed batsman said that he was fine with the temperature in the Gujarati city.
“The heat is fine. I am fine with the heat. The conditions were better than the first three matches. I felt I was batting normally”, the 36-year-old said.
“I wanted to score a century in the subcontinent and I am very happy that I did”, Khawaja said as he ticked one thing off his to-do list.
The Aussies started well as their first-wicket partnership took the Indian bowling attack well, before Travis Head fell victim to Ravichandran Ashwin after a 61-run stand.
Marnus Labuschagne was quick to get out of the crease after coming in at No.3, as he was dismissed by pacer Mohammed Shami for just 3 runs.
Captain Steven Smith along with Khawaja provided some stability to the innings before Ravindra Jadeja was sent back to the pavilion. Shami later picked up his second wicket when he dismissed Peter Handscomb for 17.
Cameron Green’s unbeaten 49 helped the visitors earn a comfortable position in the game as the umpire adjudged the ball to end the opening day of the Test.
India lead the series 2-1 after wins in the first two matches of the series in Vidarbha and New Delhi, before Australia staged a comeback with their sensational win in Indore.
India will look to win the final Test of the campaign and seal their place in the final of the World Test Championship.
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