The fiery Indian pacer, Mohammed Shami is known for his ability to provide India with crucial breakthroughs as the pacer has done it innumerable times and the same was on show on Thursday when he disturbed the woodwork of Australia’s middle-order batter Peter Handscomb.
Australia was firmly placed at 170 for the loss of three wickets and was going strong as Usman Khawaja and Peter Handscomb had made a quick partnership of 19 runs. Handscomb had got through the initial nerves and was set on 17. But before he could contribute any further Shami disturbed his timber and sent him packing.
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India got the breakthrough on the fourth delivery of the 71st over. Handscomb’s tendency of playing at the backfoot and staying deep in his crease cost him badly as he was caught on the crease and failed to safeguard his off stump. His off stump was sent for a cartwheel by Shami, as the 32-year-old pacer brought India back into the hunt.
As good as it gets! 🔥🔥@MdShami11 uproots the off-stump to dismiss Handscomb for 17! 👏👏
Australia 170/4.
Follow the match ▶️ https://t.co/8DPghkx0DE#INDvAUS | @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/2hXFYhvslW
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 9, 2023
Handscomb turned out to be Shami’s second wicket of the ongoing Test as he had also dismissed Marnus Labuschagne earlier in the day. Labuschagne was batting on three before he was undone by Shami. India and Australia have been testing each other during the ongoing series and it was there for everyone to see yet again on Day 1 (still in progress) of the ongoing Ahmedabad Test at the Narendra Modi Stadium on Thursday, March 9.
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Australia won the toss and decided to bat first. The visitors are 250/4 (90 overs) and the game is still balanced firmly between both sides. India is under added pressure as they eye a berth in the final of the ongoing World Test Championship with a victory in the ongoing Test. They must win the ongoing encounter or else they’ll have their hopes pinned on New Zealand and hope that the Kiwis do well against Sri Lanka in their ongoing two-match Test series.
