edited by: Aditya Maheshwari
Last Update: February 09, 2023, 17:02 IST
Rohit Sharma scored a brilliant half-century on the first day (AP Image)
India completely dominated Australia on the opening day of the first Test match in Nagpur. Captain Rohit Sharma scored an unbeaten half-century after Ravindra Jadeja claimed a fifty to bowl out the visitors for 177.
Captain Rohit Sharma put India Ravindra Jadeja in the driver’s seat after casting his net around the Australian batsmen on day one of the first Test in Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur. The hosts completely stamped their authority on Australia on day one to set the tone for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Rohit batted with positive intent after India bowled out the visitors for 177 at the start of the third session. The Indian skipper scored a brilliant half-century and showed everyone how to bat on a difficult Nagpur surface where the Australian batsmen struggled badly in the first innings.
India posted 77/1 at stumps on the first day as Rohit (56*) and Ravichandran Ashwin (0*) were in the middle. The Indian openers frustrated the Australian bowlers in the final session but KL Rahul (20) lost his wicket at stumps as debutant Todd Murphy claimed his maiden Test scalp.
Highlights of Day 1 of India vs Australia 1st Test
Rahul had no problem playing second fiddle to his skipper for the most part as he batted with a cautious approach but a defensive error in the final over of the day cost him his wicket.
Rohit and Ashwin played Nathan Lyon’s last over carefully and ended the day on a high as India trail Australia by 100 runs and are in the driver’s seat despite losing Rahul’s wicket.
The Indian skipper batted with a positive attitude and hit boundaries at regular intervals to put the Australian bowlers under pressure. He has hit 9 fours and a six in 69 balls so far and is batting at a healthy strike rate of 81.16.
Earlier, unlike the Australian fast bowlers, the Indian pacers ran riot with the new ball as Mohammed Siraj dismissed Usman Khawaja with his first ball of the series, while Mohammed Shami took a full delivery to trick David Warner. Jaffa threw. The Aussies were in deep trouble after Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat.
It was once again on Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith to revive the Indian innings and they managed to do so with an 82-run partnership in the first session. However, in the second session, Jadeja spread his magic and battered Australia. The southpaw dismissed Labuschagne (49) and Matt Renshaw (0) on back-to-back deliveries to put the visitors on the backfoot.
He cast Smith with absolute beauty to win the battle against him as he was out for 37 and was in utter disbelief as he walked back to the pavilion at long-on.
Australia lost their last four wickets for 15 runs as India cleaned up the tail in short time. Jadeja completed his five-wicket haul by dismissing Todd Murphy (0). Due to the dominance of the Indian bowlers, only four Australian batsmen crossed double figures.
Veteran Ravichandran Ashwin also claimed three wickets to enter the 450-wicket club as Australia were bundled out for 177 just after tea.
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