At Perth’s Optus Stadium on Friday, the first session of the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test against Australia ended with the visitors losing early wickets and managing just 51 runs after fiery spells from pacers Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc had Indian batsmen dancing on their crease.
India finished the first session at 51/4, with Dhruv Jurel (4) and Rishabh Pant (10) undefeated. On a challenging Perth surface, Indian openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul chose to bat first after winning the toss. However, they were unable to score in the first two overs by Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, with a four coming through byes. However, Jaiswal was lured to drive by Starc and rookie Nathan McSweeney collected a catch at gully. In 2.1 overs, India was 5/1.
Devdutt Padikkal, who was playing his debut Test in Australia following a single Test match against England at home, joined KL at the other end. The two were patient until Josh Hazlewood took his first wicket when Padikkal nicked one to wicketkeeper Alex Carey. Padikkal returned to the hut for a duck of 23 balls. In 11 overs, India was 14/2.
To thunderous applause, star batsman Virat Kohli emerged from the crease, but his brief stay there was cut short as Hazlewood got extra bounce out of the pitch. Virat continued his bad run by nicking the delivery to Usman Khawaja in slips for just five. 32/3 was India’s score.
KL was unable to sustain his patient efforts for too long because he was looking in control and had crossed some delicate lines. There was no proof that the ball struck his bat or pad during the first Border Gavaskar Trophy match, hence he was controversially disqualified. He hit three fours and was out for 26 in 74 balls. India scored 47/4. Two young wicketkeeper-batters, Pant and Jurel, helped India finish the session without suffering any further losses. India decided to bat first after winning the toss.
India (Playing XI): KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal, Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Dhruv Jurel, Nitish Reddy, Washington Sundar, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah(c), Mohammed Siraj
Australia (Playing XI): Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood. (ANI)