The opening day of the Test in Perth saw a dramatic display of seam bowling, with both teams failing to get settled. India, after being bowled out for 150 in just 49.4 overs, faced a relentless Australian attack, with Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh taking key wickets. India’s top order crumbled under pressure, with Rahul’s controversial dismissal and Kohli’s failure being pivotal moments. Australia fared no better, losing seven wickets for just 67 runs, trailing by 83 runs at stumps. Jasprit Bumrah was the standout performer with 4 wickets for 17, while Mohammed Siraj supported well with 2 wickets for 17.
A record-breaking first day in Perth saw an astonishing 17 wickets fall, the highest number on day one of a Test in Australia since 1952. All 17 wickets were claimed by seam bowlers who thrived on a lively pitch at Perth Stadium. From start to finish, the ball moved consistently, whether new or semi-new, and the pitch seemed to quicken as the day progressed.
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Bumrah’s Brilliance Puts India Ahead on Day One
True to the intense rivalry between Australia and India, the latest clash for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy began in dramatic style, featuring wild shifts in momentum and a DRS controversy, as pacers from both sides excelled in the conducive conditions at Optus Stadium.
By the close of a chaotic opening day, India had astonishingly seized the advantage, thanks to stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah’s sensational seam bowling. He ripped through Australia’s top-order, claiming 4 for 17 in 10 overs.
Bumrah set the tone by dismissing debutant Nathan McSweeney for 10 in the third over, followed by a game-changing seventh over where he sent both Usman Khawaja and Steven Smith packing with consecutive deliveries.
McSweeney, in just his second Test as an opener, faced a trial by fire. After initially negotiating the length well, Bumrah adjusted to a fuller line, trapping him leg-before. Smith’s return to his favored No. 4 slot began poorly, as he misjudged Bumrah’s delivery that swung sharply back to catch him plumb lbw.
Australia’s woes deepened when Travis Head was bowled by a superb delivery from debutant Harshit Rana, while Mohammed Siraj piled on the misery by removing Mitchell Marsh and Marnus Labuschagne.
Labuschagne, who had a sluggish start to the season, endured a torturous outing. He edged Bumrah early, only to be dropped by Virat Kohli at second slip, and went scoreless for his first 23 deliveries. When he finally broke his drought, the crowd greeted him with sarcastic applause. However, Labuschagne struggled to find rhythm and crawled to a painstaking 2 off 52 balls.
Bumrah wasn’t finished yet, returning late in the day to dismiss Pat Cummins, leaving Australia teetering at 67 for 7 by stumps.
India’s Top Order Crumbles Under Australia’s Fiery Pace Attack
India’s fortunes took a dramatic turn after being skittled for just 150 in 49.4 overs. Remarkably, nine Indian batters fell caught behind—either by the keeper or in the crowded slip cordon—a recurring pattern on Perth pitches, whether at Optus Stadium or the nearby WACA.
In a bold selection move, India opted to omit experienced spinners R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah chose to bat first after winning the toss, a decision made under overcast skies and on a green-tinged pitch. While the choice was fraught with risk, it seemed logical, given the pitch is expected to worsen as warmer weather takes hold later in the game.
The surface, influenced by unseasonal wet weather leading up to the match, generated significant bounce and movement but was not the unplayable minefield the scoreboard suggested.
India’s top order struggled to cope with superb new-ball spells from Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, who ripped through the lineup. Starc was particularly menacing, exploiting swing and bounce to dominate the left-handers with precision and away movement, securing all four wickets in the opening session and setting the tone for Australia’s relentless pace attack.
Fully fit after battling injuries last season, Starc displayed exceptional form, reaffirming his status as one of the world’s premier fast bowlers.
Hazlewood Dismisses Kohli as India’s Top Order Collapses
Attempting to replicate the dominance he showcased in the Ashes series of 2021-22, Mitchell Starc’s opening delivery was a surprising anticlimax, missing Yashasvi Jaiswal’s leg stump and racing to the boundary. However, Starc quickly found his rhythm, delivering pinpoint accuracy that unsettled Jaiswal. On his eighth delivery, Jaiswal, still looking for his first run in Australia, played an ambitious drive on the up and edged to McSweeney at gully.
It was a loose shot, with his bat too far in front of his body, reminiscent of Pakistan skipper Shan Masood’s ungainly dismissal during last year’s Test at the same venue.
With Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill unavailable, Devdutt Padikkal stepped in at No. 3, fresh from strong performances in India A matches. However, Padikkal was completely tied down by the Australian quicks, failing to score off his first 22 balls. The mounting pressure led to his downfall on the very next delivery as he edged a probing Hazlewood ball to the keeper while attempting to defend towards cover.
The crowd’s attention then shifted to Virat Kohli, who received hearty applause from the 31,302 spectators, despite Indian fans being significantly outnumbered—a rare occurrence in Australian stadiums. India desperately needed their seasoned star to deliver, especially on a ground where he scored a stunning century during the 2018-19 series.
Adopting a familiar tactic, Kohli batted outside the crease, a strategy that had previously brought him success in Australia. However, Hazlewood, who has consistently troubled Kohli in the past, adjusted his approach, delivering a back-of-a-length ball. On just 5 runs, Kohli could only fend at a rising delivery, sending a straightforward catch to first slip.
Rahul’s Controversial Dismissal, Pant and Reddy’s Resilient Stand Amidst India’s Struggles
Opener KL Rahul, who had recently recovered from an elbow injury sustained in an intra-squad match, showed immense resilience as he batted through the early collapse. He struck India’s first boundary in the 12th over, albeit in an awkward fashion, when a Cummins short ball, aimed at evading him, instead hit his bat and flew over the slips.
Rahul reached 26 before being given not out by on-field umpire Richard Kettleborough after Starc’s appeal for a caught behind. However, a review showed a spike on Snicko as the ball passed the bat, and the decision was overturned. Indicating that his bat had brushed his pad, Rahul walked off, shaking his head, leaving India at 47 for 4.
After the lunch break, allrounder Mitchell Marsh made a successful return to bowling, taking the wickets of Dhruv Jurel, selected based on his India A performances, and Washington Sundar. Marsh, who had bowled only four overs since recovering from a hamstring injury during the IPL, ran in with energy, finishing with 2 for 12 from five overs. His performance provided a boost to Australia’s attack, especially with allrounder Cameron Green sidelined for the series due to a back injury.
India’s hopes rested on a counterattacking Rishabh Pant and debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy, who managed a 48-run partnership—the highest of the innings. Pant, known for his aggressive play, hit a daring scoop for six off Cummins, while Reddy used a mix of orthodox drives and paddle sweeps to counter Nathan Lyon’s offspin.
However, both could not extend their innings as India was bowled out before tea. In his first red-ball match since the New Zealand Tests in March, Pat Cummins appeared slightly off-form but still claimed two wickets for 67 from 15.4 overs. He dismissed Pant and Reddy, leaving the field satisfied with Australia’s efforts, but his mood soured later when he was dismissed by his opposite number.
Australia vs India 1st Test Day 1 Summary
- India 150 (Nitish Kumar Reddy 41, Rishabh Pant 38; Josh Hazlewood 4-29, Mitchell Marsh 2-12, Pat Cummins 2-67)
- Australia 67/7 (Jasprit Bumrah 4-17, Mohammed Siraj 2-17)
- Day 1 Scoreline: Australia trail by 83 runs
It’s worth noting that, as per statistical records, today marked just the 94th day of play where the ball seamed more than 0.793 degrees on average for the seamers.
However, only one of those days (the second day of the Brisbane Test between Australia and South Africa in 2022) had a lower batting average than the combined total of 10.64 from both India and Australia today. On that day, batters averaged just 9.16 runs (181 runs for 17 wickets).
Looking Ahead to Day 2
The match is shaping up to be a gripping encounter, with the conditions offering plenty of help for the bowlers. With Australia still trailing by 83 runs and India’s seamers in dominant form, the second day promises to be another exciting one. India will aim to wrap up the Australian innings quickly, while Australia will hope to fight back and avoid a collapse. Both teams have world-class bowling attacks, and with the pitch showing signs of aiding seam movement, we could be in for a short but intense contest.
The way things are going, this Test isn’t going to last very long. We have two world-class bowling attacks going at it on a pitch with a good amount of help. You don’t want to miss any of it. So that’s all for now. See you again tomorrow. Goodbye!
FAQs
Who were the standout performers for Australia on the opening day?
Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood were exceptional with the ball, taking key wickets to dismantle India’s top order. Starc’s precise deliveries and Hazlewood’s ability to trouble Virat Kohli were crucial in Australia’s dominance.
What led to India’s early collapse?
India’s top order struggled against Australia’s pace attack, with early dismissals caused by errant shots and excellent seam bowling. KL Rahul’s controversial dismissal and failures from other key players contributed to India’s downfall.
How did Mitchell Marsh contribute to Australia’s success?
Mitchell Marsh marked his return with a strong performance, taking 2 wickets for 12 runs. His dismissals of Dhruv Jurel and Washington Sundar helped further weaken India’s batting lineup after lunch.
What was the partnership that gave India some hope?
Rishabh Pant and debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy formed the highest partnership of the innings, with 48 runs. Pant’s aggressive play and Reddy’s resilient strokes were vital in temporarily countering Australia’s bowlers.
