'%20x='0'%20y='0'%20height='100%25'%20width='100%25'%20%0A%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20%20xlink%3Ahref='data:image/jpg;base64,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'%3E%3C/image%3E%3C/svg%3E)
India were touted as the favourites before the start of the series but things did not go the no.1 Test team's way on the Day 1 of the first test. After winning the toss, India elected to bat first by choosing Rohit Sharma over Hanuma Vihari.
Right from the start of the innings, the Indian batsmen have dug up a hole for themselves. One batsman after another got out trying to play a bad shot.
First, it was KL Rahul who got out trying to drive against Jos Hazelwood. Murali Vijay just like opening partner got out in a similar fashion in an attempt to drive the ball.
Just when Indian fans were expecting another big innings from the Indian captain, Usman Khawaja pulled off a stunner to send Kohli to the pavilion. Ajinkya Rahane, the Indian vice-captain too got dismissed trying to chase a wide delivery bowled Hazelwood.
As a result of the rash batting display by the Indian top order, India were reeling at 41-4 in the first session. Rohit Sharma, who joined Cheteshwar Pujara in the middle after the fourth wicket, showed a lot of promise but got out playing an outrageous shot. A ball after he was almost caught by Marcus Harris at the boundary line, Rohit trying to clear the boundary rope again and holed one out to the same fielder.
Rohit's wicket was followed by some audacious batting by young Rishabh Pant. Pant, who was mostly in an attacking mode, got dismissed trying to defend a good delivery from Nathan Lyon. The two wickets in the second session meant that even the session belonged to the home team.
The falling of wickets at the other end did not deter the Indian No. 3. Pujara ground it out in the middle and was rightly rewarded as he reached the half-century mark in 153 balls.
Just when things were going rapidly downhill for India, a 62-run partnership between Pujara and Ashwin ensured that the visitors scored in excess of 200. Ravichandran Ashwin, who got out off a ripper from Pat Cummins, did not do much wrong during his 76-ball 25.
While some might question the Pujara's strike rate, his presence in the middle meant that India had something to cheer about. His first century on Australian soil is a testimony of his batting prowess. His strike rate improved after crossing the 50-mark as his second 50 runs came off 78 balls.
He was run out by Pat Cummins when he was trying to steal a quick single at the end of the day. His 123-run innings ensured that India were could reach the 250-mark by the end of the day. Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah will look to add a few runs to that tally tomorrow.
Here's how Twitter reacted to India's innings on Day 1 of the first Test against Australia:
Brand-new app in a brand-new avatar! Download CricRocket for fast cricket scores, rocket flicks, super notifications and much more! 🚀☄️
