The first Test of the much-awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy went underway today at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. The first day was completely dominated by India, who had two of three sessions to their name, with the remaining one shared by the two teams.
Pat Cummins won the toss and went with the obvious choice to bat first on a ran turner. However, this decision did not pay off well as the Indian pacers were at the top of their game. Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami dismissed openers, Usman Khawaja and David Warner, respectively, for a score of just two runs in the first three overs.
After that, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne’s partnership got the Australians back into the game. They combined for an 82-run third-wicket stand and were looking to pose a significant threat to the hosts. Ravindra Jadeja (47/5 in 22 overs), on the other hand, arrived just in time to save the Indian team.
The star all-rounder, who was playing for India for the first time since September 2022, was at his best in the first innings, taking five wickets. He always kept the Kangaroos under pressure, while Ravichandran Ashwin, with three wickets, gave him the perfect support. Their efforts helped India restrict Australia to a score of 177 runs.
Rohit Sharma dominates India’s innings
In response, India made a strong start to their batting innings, with captain Rohit Sharma leading the way. He played attacking strokes throughout ended completed his half-century. KL Rahul also supported him well but became debutant Todd Murphy’s first Test wicket towards the bank end of the day.
With only seven balls left in the day, Ashwin joined the captain in the middle as the night watchman. India’s innings will resume on day two at 77/1, with Rohit batting at 56 runs in 69 balls and Ashwin batting at 0 in 5 balls. India would want to continue their dominance in the remainder of the match as well
Here is how Twitter reacted to Day 1 of the match
Australia fooled everybody over the summer. WI & SA were two very ordinary test teams. Now the media and most ‘experts’ think they’re in with a chance. #AUSvsIND
— DAMIEN (@DamienDzanic) February 9, 2023
No paki bowlers no party #INDvsAUS #RohitSharma? #AUSvsIND pic.twitter.com/6BjWcXot2b
— varun (@varun3069) February 9, 2023
Jaddoo chaa gaya fi-fer #AUSvsIND pic.twitter.com/tIDm8opUm6
— Qamar Raza (@Rizzvi73) February 9, 2023
India fans #ausvsind pic.twitter.com/sqowbgLl8Z
— Bhat Moin (@Bhatmoin111) February 9, 2023
Ro-hit man is back & My Favourite Sir Jadeja.#RohitSharma? #IndiaVsAustralia #INDvsAUS #Jadeja
— Aana Kashyap (@Aana919) February 9, 2023
KL Rahul in every Big Match ?#INDvsAUS #IndiaVsAustralia pic.twitter.com/uc1wsZDb05
— ?? Rupen Chowdhury ? (@rupen_chowdhury) February 9, 2023
#INDvsAUS 1st Test, Day 1 | India 77/1 at stumps, trail Australia (177) by 100 runs.
(Rohit Sharma 56*)
(Pic: BCCI) pic.twitter.com/l4ew1L5lPS
— ANI (@ANI) February 9, 2023
India vs Australia: Ravindra Jadeja Makes Heroic Comeback, Takes 11th Five-Wicket Haul – https://t.co/8hlBJlfI0S
— Ve Go (@CineTVs_Offers) February 9, 2023
The @CricketAus team getting thumped by India… couldn’t happen to a better bunch of dickheads…. As a proud Australian, happy to say… go India! #IndiaVsAustralia
— Aussie Momentum (@aussie_momentum) February 9, 2023
@klrahul is the biggest scam in current Indian cricket; @HindenburgRes can you create a short selling report on this guy now!! #BorderGavaskarTrophy #IndiaVsAustralia
— Abhijit Roy (@ARoy2011) February 9, 2023