Australia dominated the first day of their World Test Championship Final match against India, reaching 327 for 3 at the conclusion of play. At the end of play on Day 1, Travis Head and Steve Smith were batting on 146 and 95 runs, respectively, as Australia accumulated 157 runs in the final session’s 34 overs without losing a wicket. After the bowling unit failed to perform, former India captain Sunil Gavaskar was perplexed by team India’s decision to leave out Ravichandran Ashwin, the No. 1 Test bowler, for the summit match.
“India missed a trick by not playing Ravi Ashwin. He’s the No. 1 Ranked bowler. You don’t look at the pitch for players like him. You are playing a World Test Championships final, and you don’t pick the number one bowler in Test cricket. This decision from Team India is beyond my understanding. I would have picked him in place of Umesh Yadav, who was out of action and looks out of rhythm,” he said.
“There are four left-handed batters in this Australian side, and he has traditionally done well against them. It is shocking that there isn’t any off-spinner in this side,” Gavaskar further said.
Travis Head slammed a 106-ball century and Steve Smith completed his half-century to give Australia total control. Pat Cummins & Co were reduced to 76/3 in the second session of Day 1 before the pair stitched an important partnership for the fourth wicket. India had a great start to the day by packing Usman Khawaja for 0 in the opening session thanks to the quick Mohammed Siraj.
Top-ranked batter Marnus Labuschagne and opener David Warner then held down the fort, putting 69 runs for the second wicket before the southpaw departed for 43 (60). Early in the second session, Mohammed Shami got rid of Labuschagne (26) before Smith and Head made sure that Australia was still on the verge of a massive first innings total. Australia reached 327/3 in 85 overs at stumps thanks to Head and Smith’s outstanding partnership of 251 from 370 balls.
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