XtraTime Web Desk – With T. Natarajan, Washington Sundar and Shardul Thakur starting, team India played completely new bowling lineup as Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin missed out because of injury. Navdeep Saini and Mohammed Siraj were definitely the leading bowlers going into the match.
India started well. Siraj dismissed Warner early on and the pressure was right back at Australia. Shardul dismissed Marcus Harris and Australia were 17-2 but Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne build a decent partnership. However, Washington dismissed Smith who was batting at 36. His maiden test wicket is of Steve Smith’s will boost the confidence of the youngster.
Labuschagne then managed to build a solid partnership with Wade. Labuschagne scored 108 but Natarajan took his wicket after he dismissed Wade for 45. Australia were 215 for 5. Captain Tim Paine (38) and youngster Cameron Green (28) batted till the end of the day and Australia are 274-5 after the days play.
Indian bowling looked inexperienced but effective at certain points. The entire first team bowlers were not available and the backups weren’t available as well. If India can restrict them under 350 on Day two, they will have a good chance to get back otherwise it’ll be a tough task for the batsmen.