India’s Fightback After a Disappointing Start
India staged a remarkable comeback on the opening day of the first Test against Australia in Perth after being dismissed for a modest 150. By stumps, the hosts were reeling at 67-7, thanks to a stunning spell from stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah, who ended the day with 4-17.
Alex Carey (19*) and Mitchell Starc (6*) were left to steady the ship after India’s relentless pace attack dismantled Australia’s batting order.
India’s Fragile Batting Line-Up
Opting to bat first, India struggled against Australia’s fiery pace attack, with Josh Hazlewood claiming 4-29. Debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy showed grit with a top score of 41, while Rishabh Pant contributed 37 in a brief counterattack.
India’s regular skipper Rohit Sharma was absent due to personal reasons, and with injuries to key players like Shubman Gill, the batting line-up looked vulnerable. Virat Kohli, under scrutiny for his recent performances, was dismissed for just five, continuing his lean patch.
“It’s an advantage now, and we’ll aim to bat better in the second innings to put them under pressure,” said Reddy.
Australia Crumbles Under Pressure
Australia’s reply was equally shaky, with Bumrah leading the charge. He trapped Nathan McSweeney lbw for 10 and then dismissed Usman Khawaja (8) and skipper Pat Cummins (3). Steve Smith’s lbw dismissal on the very next ball added to the drama.
Harshit Rana, on debut, claimed his maiden Test wicket by clean-bowling Travis Head (11), while Mohammed Siraj removed Mitchell Marsh (5) and Marnus Labuschagne (2), who struggled for 52 deliveries.
“Both teams bowled exceptionally well, and the pitch offered plenty of assistance,” said Starc. “Our aim tomorrow will be to close the gap as much as possible.”
India’s Challenges and Recovery
India’s innings began poorly with Yashasvi Jaiswal dismissed for a duck in the third over. Replacement No. 3 Devdutt Padikkal followed suit without scoring, leaving India in deep trouble early on.
Kohli’s brief stay ended with a sharp edge to slip, and KL Rahul (26) fell just before lunch, leaving the visitors at 66-4. After the break, Dhruv Jurel and Washington Sundar fell cheaply, with Marsh adding to India’s woes.
However, Pant and Reddy led a much-needed recovery with a 50-run partnership before Pant’s dismissal signaled the end of India’s resistance.
Series Context
India is aiming for a third consecutive Border-Gavaskar Trophy win on Australian soil. The first of the five-Test series in Perth has already set the stage for a thrilling contest, with both sides relying heavily on their bowlers to make the difference.
