India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja made a strong return to international cricket with a five-wicket haul as the hosts bowled out the Aussies for 177 in their first innings.
In reply, India cruised to 77/1 to dominate Day 1 of the opening Test in Nagpur. Captain Rohit Sharma led from the front with a typically belligerent unbeaten 56 that was laced with 9 fours and one six. KL Rahul got out on 20 after facing 71 balls while nightwatchman Ravichandran Ashwin was yet to open his account.
Earlier, Australia skipper Pat Cummins won the toss and opted to bat on a tricky surface. The touring party lost both their openers inside the first three overs. Marnus Labuschagne (49) and Steve Smith (37) did show some fight but could not stand for a long time against the quality spin attack.
Jadeja first sent back Labuschagne and Matt Renshaw of successive deliveries and then returned to bamboozle Smith.
The left-armer also picked up the wickets or debutant Todd Murphy and Peter Handscomb in the end. Meanwhile, Jadeja’s spin partner Ashwin claimed 3 wickets for 42 runs. The right-arm off-spinner bagged the wickets of Alex Carey, Pat Cummins and Scott Boland.
For India, Suryakumar Yadav, the top-ranked T20I batter, made his Test debut alongside wicket-keeper K S Bharat.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Welcome back jaddu @imjadeja Top stuff Champion 👌
— Harbhajan Turbanator (@harbhajan_singh) February 9, 2023
I'm fireproof, there's nothing you can do.
So run away, cause I'm here to stay.WHAT. A. COMEBACK. SIR. JADEJA. 🔥#INDvAUS #RavindraJadeja | @imjadeja pic.twitter.com/2OzqXQiunw
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) February 9, 2023
What a brilliant comeback by @imjadeja 🙌
Working like a magician always, congratulations on the 5 wicket haul champion! 🔥💯#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/DeejhCZYw0— Suresh Raina🇮🇳 (@ImRaina) February 9, 2023
Sir ravindra jadeja in today's match:#INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/sPVTpP71lN
— Prayag (@theprayagtiwari) February 9, 2023
Well… I guess Sir Jadeja is back! #INDvAUS
— Chloe-Amanda Bailey (@ChloeAmandaB) February 9, 2023
Brilliant from Ravindra Jadeja. Keeps bowling in the stumps. #INDvsAUS
— Irfan Pathan (@IrfanPathan) February 9, 2023
Ravindra Jadeja to the Aussies 👍#INDvsAUS @imjadeja pic.twitter.com/gW59tjBU4V
— Sushant Mehta (@SushantNMehta) February 9, 2023
Ravindra Jadeja is back with a bang. #INDvAUS #CricketTwitter pic.twitter.com/zSBzfDfPdL
— CricketTimes.com (@CricketTimesHQ) February 9, 2023
Ravindra Jadeja 🔥#WTC23 | #INDvAUS | 📝 https://t.co/rzMJy0hUFm pic.twitter.com/gax6JNDPd2
— ICC (@ICC) February 9, 2023
Never easy to return to top level cricket after an injury. Not if you are Sir jadeja. He is deadly! #INDvsAUS
— Mohammad Kaif (@MohammadKaif) February 9, 2023
Jaddu’s terrific 5️⃣-fer on return, and Ashwin’s 3️⃣ scalps bowls out the Aussies for 1️⃣7️⃣7️⃣ 🔥
Over to the batters 💪🏼#INDvAUS #BorderGavaskarTrophy pic.twitter.com/pfsErsI5DF
— Delhi Capitals (@DelhiCapitals) February 9, 2023
5-fer by Jadeja, 56* by Rohit! 😍
A1️⃣ show on Day 1️⃣! 👏#INDvAUS #RavindraJadeja #RohitSharma #PunjabKings @imjadeja pic.twitter.com/AcolheYlWj
— Punjab Kings (@PunjabKingsIPL) February 9, 2023
What a picture – Two greats of Test cricket – Ashwin & Jadeja. pic.twitter.com/jax0L6dgbJ
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 9, 2023
Steve Smith: 👍🏽
Sir Jadeja: ☝🏽A chitti story in 4️⃣ pictures#INDvAUS #RavindraJadeja pic.twitter.com/Z2Rqt6Vapd
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers) February 9, 2023
RJ turning the tracks with the 5️⃣fer!#INDvAUS #WhistlePodu 🦁💛@imjadeja
📸 : @BCCI pic.twitter.com/SDIX7YJrQY
— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL) February 9, 2023