Xtra Time Web Desk: Left arm spinner Axar Patel was the star for Australia with five wickets (5/16) as India were bowled out for 109 runs just after lunch on Day 1 of the third test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy in Indore on Wednesday. Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat first. However, the hosts failed to tackle the Australian spinners on a wicket that turned and bounced.
It was India’s 14th-lowest total at home in Test cricket and their third lowest-ever against Australia at home. Virat Kohli top-scored for India with 22 runs, showcasing application and intent on how to play spin on a treacherous pitch where the ball was turning square and keeping low on odd occasions.
India was rattled as early as the first over when Mitchell Starc troubled Rohit Sharma and got him out twice, only for the on-field umpire to give it not out.
Rohit failed to make use of the opportunity as he threw his wicket away, getting down the track and missing a ball that turned and bounced from left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann. Shubman Gill looked good for his 21 but he was undone by a fine delivery that spun away and was caught by stand-in captain Steve Smith at first slip.
Kuhnemann finished with figures of 5/16 while Nathan Lyon picked up 3 wickets as well. Toddy Murphy picked up the prized scalp of Virat Kohli, who seemed to have found a way to negate the spin threat from Australia.