With a place in the Test Championship Final on the line, India is currently playing Australia in the fourth and final Border-Gavaskar Trophy Test. The series’ crucial match is being played at Ahmedabad’s massive Narendra Modi Stadium. The first day of the fourth Test match has just ended, with Australia coming out on top.
Unlike the previous matches in the series, the Ahmedabad wicket looked a lot better to bat on and to take advantage of this, Steve Smith decided to bat first after winning the toss. This proved to be the right decision as they put on a brilliant batting display.
KS Bharat dropped an early catch of Travis Head off Umesh Yadav in the 6th over of the game. This dropped catch did not prove to be very expensive but gave the visitors the momentum they were looking for. Head (32) was finally dismissed by Ravichandran Ashwin in the 16th over and Marnus Labuschagne (3) followed him soon.
However, Usman Khawaja maintained his composure and put the pressure back on India as he built an important partnership with the captain. The duo added 79 runs together and batted through the Lunch session. Smith (38) was finally dismissed by Ravindra Jadeja after the Lunch break.
Usman Khawaja scores his maiden century against India
The Kangaroos lost Peter Handscomb after a short stay, but Cameron Green and the opening batter gave them a partnership that put them in the driver’s seat. Khawaja and Green added 85 runs for the 5th wicket stand and stayed unbeaten at the end of the day. The opening batter went on to hit his maiden century against India in the final over of the day, becoming the first Australian to do so in India in 8 years.
Australia currently has a score of 255/4 in 90 overs. They will resume on Day 2 with Khawja batting at 104 runs in 251 balls and Green batting at 49 runs in 64 balls. India, on the other hand, would want to get better results on Day 2. They created very few chances to capitalize on Day 1.
Here is how Twitter reacted
Day 1 is Aus's for sure, with that patient 100 from Khawaja. Another 100-150 runs on the board if pitch does not break overnight and we should be good enough to compete. #INDvAUS
— Arafat Yasser Khan (@Khandalf) March 9, 2023
The Indian bowling attack looks so blunt in absence of a mud pitch! #INDvAUS
— Ashish Borar (@ashishborar) March 9, 2023
USMAN KHWAJA ? Bring his ton up in style!!
As I said before when he is in form, there is no one better to watch, absolute class act today and all series, well deserved 100!!
Australia end the day 4/255. It's a tight contest and a great watch.#INDvAUS #INDvsAUSTest pic.twitter.com/gQF8WNTtVl— TwoLeftHands (@TwoLeftHands_) March 9, 2023
THAT'S ALL FROM THE DAY 1 WE'LL MEET TOMORROW ?#INDvAUS #crictracker22
— Crictracker (@r76698189) March 9, 2023
This partnership of Khawaja and Green looks ominous. Any score above 400 will put India under tremendous pressure. #INDvAUS
— Rajiv (@skrajiv) March 9, 2023
Test – 4
Ahmedabad? 338
After 3 Sessions
IND 0-3 AUS#INDvAUS#AUSvIND#INDvsAUS#AUSvsIND#BGT2023 #CSUINFO pic.twitter.com/BcGNQ2a1FI
— Cricket Info (@csuinfo) March 9, 2023
Australia watching Uzzie#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/D8ccM9IY2Q
— Tim Michell (@tim_michell) March 9, 2023
A great first day for Usman Khawaja in Ahmedabad!#INDvAUS
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 9, 2023
You feel genuinely happy for some people and Usman is one of them ! Calm , sublime performance. #INDvAUS
— SK (@Sathiyakugan) March 9, 2023
Pakistan born Muslim with a pilots licence scores century for Australia ???? !!! Well done Uzi ? #INDvAUS #AUSvIND ? #CmonAUSSIE ?? #UziUziUziOiOiOi
— Raythan Pricemarsh (@eels81828386) March 9, 2023
Khawaja you beauty! That was a brilliant century. This couldn't have happened to a nicer bloke. #INDvAUS
— Noel Francis (@nanthonyfrancis) March 9, 2023
