In an intense opening round of the much-anticipated Perth Test bout, Australia landed the first punch. However, Jasprit Bumrah's fiery spells helped India land a stinging counter-punch and finish the opening day in the driver's seat. A high-quality battle between the two world-class pace-bowling units dominated the opening day of the first Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Batters, including big names Virat Kohli and Steve Smith, had little to be happy about on a spicy pitch at the Optus Stadium, which offered trademark pace and bounce.
As many as 17 wickets fell on Day 1 of the first Test, but India must have been the happier of the two sides at the end of the day's play. While the tourists were bundled out for 150, Australia were reeling at 67 for 7 after facing 27 overs of hostile pace bowling from India's new-look attack.
Stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah showed why he is arguably the best fast bowler going around as he looked like picking up a wicket with every ball across three fiery spells in nine overs. Eventually, he picked up four wickets, which included two wickets in an over in which he got the big scalps of Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja. Bumrah was unplayable with the red Kookaburra as he bowled with venom, knowing fully well that India needed a good start with the ball after a disappointing effort with the ball.
The shift in momentum was complete when Steve Smith, who returned to his preferred No. 4 spot, was undone by a venomous delivery that pitched outside the off-stump and jagged back to hit the pads. Smith did not even take a review as he was trapped plumb in front of the stumps. It was a shock for the packed Perth crowd as Australia lost two of their best Test batters in as many deliveries in the seventh over.
Bumrah was on the money from the word go. As the stand-in captain, he gave himself the responsibility of bowling with the red cherry. He did not take long to strike as Nathan McSweeney was undone by his magic in the third over. You can't blame the young debutant, can you? Facing the pace tormentor, he was not equipped to handle the change in direction as Bumrah got his man LBW.
Comments