The Day 1 of the IND vs AUS fifth Test concluded with Australia scoring 9/1 trailing by 176 runs against India. On a sunlit morning at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), India opted to bat first. Rohit Sharma was dropped from the team for the final encounter, and Jasprit Bumrah is now leading the Indian side. The same story continues as the Indian team struggled against the pace trio of Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland, bundling up at 185 runs after 72.2 overs of play. Bumrah ended the game on a positive note after dismissing Usman Khawaja on the last ball of the day. Australian batter Sam Konstas is currently not out.
Openers went out early; Pant showed some really good display initially but foolishly gave away his wicket. Jadeja tried a little, then the collapse continued with Jasprit Bumrah being the third top scorer (22) of the innings. Shubman Gill made it to the squad after Rohit Sharma’s exclusion. Prasidh Krishna also made his comeback in the playing XI after one year.
Rohit dropped but the struggle in opening continues
Despite out-of-form Rohit Sharma being dropped, the team couldn’t capitalise in the innings. India’s openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, were tested from the onset by the accurate line and length of Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins. Starc struck the initial blow, dismissing Rahul for 4. Scott Boland soon added to India’s woes, sending Jaiswal back to the pavilion for 10.
No Gill show in SCG
After the openers went Virat Kohli and Shubman Gill then took charge, but couldn’t do much. With the ball moving both laterally and unpredictably, the duo exchanged defence with occasional attacking shots. However, Gill fell prey to a lapse in concentration, edging a delivery to slip off the last ball before lunch. India ended the session at 57/3, leaving them in trouble.
Kohli & Pant depart in same fashion
The post-lunch session began with Rishabh Pant joining Virat Kohli at the crease. The pair faced a relentless Australian attack. Kohli, meanwhile, looked to anchor the innings but was dismissed shortly after the break for 17, nicking a delivery to the slips off Boland, just like his old fashion. His departure at 76/4 left India in a precarious position.
Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja then took on the responsibility of rebuilding the innings. Known for his aggressive style, Pant initially adopted a more cautious approach, aware of the match situation. He faced a nasty spell from the Australian bowlers, sustaining blows to his body. Jadeja, at the other end, displayed his batting, ensuring Pant had the support he needed.
As the session wore on, the duo settled in, with Pant occasionally showcasing peeks of his aggressive cricket. After scoring 40 runs off 98 balls, Rishabh Pant was dismissed poorly, giving away an easy catch to Pat Cummins with a pull shot. Later Jadeja was dismissed for 26 runs. Nitish Kumar Reddy returns to the pavilion for a golden duck, caught at second slip.
Bumrah saves again
Washington Sundar faced tough Australian bowlers, scoring 14 runs before being caught behind by Pat Cummins. Prasidh Krishna added 3 runs, falling to Mitchell Starc. Jasprit Bumrah finally saved after chipping in 22 runs, hitting boundaries and a six, but was caught by Starc. Mohammed Siraj stayed not out ending the innings at 185.
Bumrah saves in the end
At stumps on the first day. Khawaja was caught at second slip, giving Bumrah a chance for a send-off as play ended. Siraj bowled tightly, nearly running out of Konstas. Australia finished at 9/1 after 3 overs.
Editor's Pick
Cricket
Rating India team in IND vs AUS series: 1/10 for Rohit Sharma, Virat Kohli 4/10 and Jasprit Bumrah scores ?/10
Top Stories
