The Indian batting line-up struggled on the opening day of the first Test against Australia in Perth, with the visitors reeling at 121/7 by the post-lunch session. Stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah won the toss and elected to bat, but his decision backfired as Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood delivered fiery spells, dismantling the top order.
Early Setbacks for India
India’s woes began early, with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal dismissed for a duck by Starc in just the third over. Debutant Devdutt Padikkal also fell without scoring, leaving India at 14/2. Starc and Hazlewood continued their dominance, sending Virat Kohli (5) and KL Rahul (26) back to the pavilion before lunch. At the break, India stood at 51/4, with Rishabh Pant and Dhruv Jurel trying to steady the innings.
After lunch, Mitchell Marsh provided Australia with another breakthrough, dismissing Washington Sundar (4). Meanwhile, Nathan Lyon struggled to contain debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy, who showed promise with a few boundaries. However, the lack of partnerships left India vulnerable, and Marsh further dented their innings by dismissing Sundar.
Pant’s Fightback Offers Glimmer of Hope
Rishabh Pant showcased his trademark flair with a six off Pat Cummins, keeping India’s faint hopes alive. Alongside Nitish Kumar Reddy, he pushed the score past 100, forming a crucial partnership. However, Australia’s relentless bowling ensured that no partnership lasted long.
India handed Test debuts to pacer Harshit Rana and all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy. While Reddy contributed with a fighting 27 off 49 balls, Rana is yet to make an impact. With four pacers and Washington Sundar as the sole spinner, India’s strategy to combat Australia’s pace-friendly conditions came under scrutiny.
Australia’s Bowling Prowess Shines
Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood were the stars with the ball, exploiting the conditions effectively. Starc’s early breakthroughs and Hazlewood’s consistency ensured Australia stayed on top. Pat Cummins and Mitchell Marsh supported well, maintaining pressure on the Indian batters.
Current Score and Situation
At the time of writing, India are 121/7 in 45.5 overs. Nitish Kumar Reddy remains at the crease, joined by Harshit Rana, as they attempt to salvage the innings. Australia, led by Pat Cummins, will be aiming to wrap up India’s innings quickly to consolidate their dominance.
Stay tuned for more updates as the action unfolds at Perth’s Optus Stadium.
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