India and Australia locked horns at the Optus Stadium in Perth for the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, with high expectations for a fiery contest. Winning the toss, India’s stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah chose to bat on a pitch boasting 10 mm of grass, promising extra bounce and pace. However, the decision seemed to backfire as the Indian batting lineup struggled, with wickets tumbling consistently due to the unpredictable bounce.
A memorable instance featured Rishabh Pant, who battled bravely under difficult circumstances. He was hit on the lower abdomen by a sharply rising delivery that caught him off guard. In the commentary box, Ravi Shastri amusingly reminisced about a comparable occurrence from his playing days, sharing a humorous story about the risks of facing such deliveries.
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Despite his resilience, Pant fell for 37 runs, a knock that showcased flashes of his counter-attacking prowess. India’s innings ended at a modest 150, with debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy impressing as the top scorer with 41 runs. KL Rahul contributed 26 but found the going tough against a disciplined Australian pace attack.
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Jasprit Bumrah, reflecting on the innings, remained optimistic, suggesting that the wicket might quicken as the match progressed. Meanwhile, Australia’s captain Pat Cummins admitted to being unsure about the pitch but expressed confidence in his team’s ability, introducing debutant Nathan McSweeney as a new opener.
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The day, however, belonged to India’s bowlers. Jasprit Bumrah led from the front with a stellar spell, ably supported by Mohammed Siraj and debutant Harshit Rana. Together, they ripped through Australia’s top order, leaving the hosts reeling at 67/7 by stumps. Bumrah’s precision and Rana’s impactful debut ensured India held the upper hand at the close of play. Nitish Reddy’s calm knock earlier in the day, despite a missed review that could have ended his innings early, proved crucial in giving India a fighting total.
With 17 wickets falling on Day 1, this Test has already delivered drama and excitement. As the match progresses, the big question remains: will the bowlers continue to dominate, or can the batters find a way to counter the challenging conditions?
