The much-awaited Four Test Match Series with the Kangaroos had begun today at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium, Pune. The pitch report says that the dry wicket had some huge cracks since it hasn’t been watered for last few days.
TOSS: Australian skipper Steven Smith had won the toss and elected to bat first.
The Aussie left-handed pair Matt Renshaw and David Warner walked out to bat. Kohli welcomed them by giving the red cherry to India’s best spinner R.Ashwin.
Both the Aussie Batsmen had a solid start to their innings, and Warner survived due to a no ball which was bowled by Jayant Yadav. The survival didn’t last for a long time as Warner was cleaned by Pacer Umesh Yadav. After David warner’s dismissal for 38 off 77 balls, Matt Renshaw retired hurt because of stomach upset.
Resuming the post-lunch session at 84/1, the Australian batsmen started on a cautious note by playing the ball on its merit. But soon, things changed as Shaun Marsh (16) was sent packing in the 47th over by spinner Jayant Yadav with the scoreboard reading 119/2.
The fall of wicket brought in Peter Handscomb (22), who along with skipper Steven Smith tried to hold the innings but the former was taken by Ravindra Jadeja. Handscomb was adjudged leg before wicket.
Things got worse when Smith (27), who played 95 balls, was dismissed in the next over by Ravichandran Ashwin which left Australia at 149/4. The off-spinner got the prized wicket of the skipper shortly before the break.
After the break at the mark of 166, Australia lost wicket of Mitchell Marsh. Marsh 4(18) was out leg before wicket to Jadeja. Losing half of the side at 166 Australian lower order was exposed.
Keeper Wade and opener Renshaw also gone back to the dressing room in a quick session after scoring 8 and 68 runs respectively.
Spinners Steve O’Keefe and Nathon Lyon were out without troubling the scoreboard on consecutive balls bowled by Umesh Yadav.
The Indian Speedster bowled very well with fiery pace. At the score of 205 Aussies were single wicket away to got bowled out in the first day.
Mitchell Starc, who was at the opposite end attacked the Indian bowlers and showed some fight back. With his aggressive strokes, Starc has reached his fifty in just 48 balls. He helped Australia to pass the 250 score mark.
Australia were 256/9 (94.0 Ovs) at the stumps day 1. Hazlewood was on 1(31) and Mitchell Starc on 57(58).
Ind vs Aus ScoreCard
| Batsman | Runs | B | 4s | 6s | SR |
| Matt Renshaw c Vijay b Ashwin | 68 | 156 | 10 | 1 | 43.59 |
| David Warner b Umesh | 38 | 77 | 6 | 0 | 49.35 |
| Steven Smith (c) c Kohli b Ashwin | 27 | 95 | 2 | 0 | 28.42 |
| Shaun Marsh c Kohli b Jayant Yadav | 16 | 55 | 3 | 0 | 29.09 |
| Peter Handscomb lbw b Ravi Jadeja | 22 | 45 | 3 | 0 | 48.89 |
| Mitchell Marsh lbw b Ravi Jadeja | 4 | 18 | 0 | 0 | 22.22 |
| Matthew Wade (wk) lbw b Umesh | 8 | 20 | 1 | 0 | 40.00 |
| Mitchell Starc* batting | 57 | 58 | 5 | 3 | 98.28 |
| Steve O’Keefe c Saha b Umesh | 0 | 13 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
|
Josh Hazlewood* batting
|
1 | 31 | 0 | 0 | 3.23 |
Performances:
Batting :
Coming to the Batting performances, Matt Renshaw was the star. He scored 68 valuable runs and Mitchel Starc Aggressive innings was the highlight and it had brought Australia some sort of hope. He smashed boundaries all over the park. Except these two all the other Australian Batsmen had given away their wickets very cheaply.
Bowling
Talking about the Indian Bowling Umesh Yadav was the pick of the bowlers. He bowled 12 overs and picked up four wickets for just 32 runs. Ashwin, Jadeja also bowled well and they bagged two wickets each. Jayant yadav was also impressive with his one wicket. Although, Ishant sharma bowled well he didn’t opened his wickets account.
Expert Opinions :
Good comeback by Australia. Can't be such a bad pitch if an inexperienced overseas team can bat 94 overs on it!
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) February 23, 2023
