The first day of the series opener of the four-match Test series between India and Australia at the renowned Adelaide Oval turned out to be an exciting one, despite too many runs not being scored. At one point in time, the hosts got Virat Kohli and Co by the scruff of their necks, having reduced them to 41/4 in the 21st over. The likes of Josh Hazlewood, Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins wreaked some serious havoc.
Runs were hard to come by after visiting team winning the toss and elected to bat first. A few loose strokes from some of their star batsmen got them in a rabbit hole. While the likes of Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, and Virat Kohli were dismissed playing some loose shots, the likes of Rishabh Pant and Rohit Sharma also got dismissed after getting decent starts in the tough conditions.
Nevertheless, Pujara was the one who took the responsibility and scored 123 runs from 246 balls to drag his team out of the precarious position. His knock was laced with seven boundaries and two sixes as well. After losing their first five wickets at a meager score of 86, India ended their day on 250/9. However, they would’ve been happy had Pujara managed to stay not out until the close of play.
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In the meantime, amidst some riveting cricket, the match also had some flavor of World Wrestling Entertainment (WWE) associated with it. Post the day’s play, Matt Hardy, an American professional wrestler, graced his presence in the studio of Sony. A man known for setting the ring on fire with his fiery moves, Hardy was also sharing his insightful thoughts on cricket.
Even Murali Kartik, the presenter, was seen giving him some tips on how to play cricket. Matt’s younger brother Jeff Hardy is also one of the popular WWE wrestlers. The elder of the Hardy’s has won a number of titles, especially in the tag-team category. Even as a single wrestler, he is a three-time world champion. Meanwhile, supporters were bemused by Hardy’s presence and they trolled Sony hilariously.
Here is how Twitter reacted:
I haven't seen any cricketing stuff being spoken in the studio post-match in Extraaa Innings. Sunny Gavaskar asking for a selfie with Matt Hardy. Mark Butcher asking viewers to watch WWE Sunday Dhamaal on Sunday in Sony Ten. @SPNSportsIndia You remember India did play 87.5 overs!
— Dinesh Anand (@standinskipper) December 6, 2018
https://twitter.com/narangmrinal/status/1070586700001243136
Matt Hardy on a post match cricket show? Seriously? #ausvind
— Dr.Sriram.R DNB(RT) DrNB (MEDICAL ONCOLOGY)TRAINEE (@leftyindian) December 6, 2018
It's actually a full blown program with Matt Hardy now. Minutes after the match ended! Goodness, @SPNSportsIndia. You have gone to the next level, truly.
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) December 6, 2018
Is that Matt Hardy, the WWE star on an India-Australia surround show? 😁 #AusvInd
— Reuben Z (@R_Zed) December 6, 2018
Sony doesn't deserve Test Cricket. Bloody Matt Hardy to analyse a day of Test cricket that's seen 9 wickets and a century. Only saving grace is no one's screaming "thoko taali!" #AUSvIND
— shashreek roy (@shashreek) December 6, 2018
Murali Karthik explaining how cricket works to WWE's Matt Hardy, who's on a cricket analysis show for god knows what reason. I think I'd rather that Star has an absolutely monopoly on cricket than suffer this trash on Sony. #AUSvIND
— Basablanca (@gaseousmaterial) December 6, 2018
Murali Karthik teaching Matt Hardy the basics of cricket.
Awkwardness level: 1000!
— Amit Banerjee (@akb287) December 6, 2018
Matt Hardy on the post show?? Are you kidding me! 😑 #AUSvIND
— Chiranth (@ChiranthJSA) December 6, 2018
(Not) Exactly what we want to hear after the end of days play ! Expert guest and wrestler Matt hardy reviews cricket after the end of first day 👏 . Well done ! 🙄 pic.twitter.com/91s8ETnRXW
— Shreevats goswami (@shreevats1) December 6, 2018
