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Xtra Time Web Desk: A stellar bowling performance from the Indian bowlers led by Ravichadran Ashwin give the visitors a slight edge after stumps on Day 1 of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Saturday. Australia after winning the toss and deciding to bat first were bundled out for 195 runs. In reply India are 36/1, trailing the hosts by 159 runs with nine wickets in hand. Debutant Shubman Gill (28*) and Cheteshwar Pujara (7*) are at the crease.

As much as the day belonged to the Indian bowling unit for another fired-up show, new captain Rahane deserved equal credit for marshalling his resources to perfection during the 72.3 overs that Australia batted. Bumrah (4/56 in 16 overs) and Ashwin (3/35 in 24 overs) were the stars but debutant Mohammed Siraj (2/40 in 15 overs) also did his bit repaying the faith shown in him with wickets of Marnus Labuschagne (48) and Cameron Green (12) with the old ball.

However, the Test series is increasingly looking like Ashwin’s paradise as he once again made the opposition’s best batsman Steve Smith (0) look ordinary, exploiting the turn and bounce that the first day of the MCG track offered.

It was business as usual for Bumrah as he beat the bat and got those breakthroughs just when it mattered on a pitch that had retained moisture. As it turned out, Rahane didn’t lose a bad toss.

The Indian team looked way more galvanised despite being without regular skipper Virat Kohli, who is on paternity leave. Some great catches were taken and the intent was way more visible.

India trail 0-1 in the series after going down by eight wickets in the opening day-night Test in Adelaide. The visitors were dismissed for their lowest Test score of 36 during that game.

With Inputs from PTI