• Day 1 of the first Test between Australia and India at Perth Stadium saw an extraordinary display of fast bowling.

  • As many as seventeen wickets fell in a single day, the most on an opening day of Test cricket in Australia since 1952.

AUS vs IND: Netizens react as bowlers dominate on a record-breaking Day 1 of the Perth Test
Bowlers dominate Day 1 of Perth Test between Australia and India (Image Source: X)

Day 1 of the first Test between Australia and India at Perth Stadium will go down in history for its relentless drama and an extraordinary display of fast bowling. As many as seventeen wickets fell in a single day, the most on an opening day of Test cricket in Australia since 1952. The pitch offered constant assistance to seamers, with movement and bounce making life difficult for batters from both sides.

India, after opting to bat, struggled against the disciplined Australian pace attack and were bundled out for 150. However, India’s bowlers hit back hard, reducing Australia to 67 for 7 by stumps, leaving the match finely poised.

India’s top order fails to fire

India’s innings began with immediate trouble as Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood found their rhythm early. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Devdutt Padikkal fell cheaply, with Starc dismissing Jaiswal for a duck and Hazlewood removing Padikkal for 2. Global superstar Virat Kohli followed soon after, managing just 5 before Hazlewood claimed his second scalp.

The only semblance of stability came through KL Rahul, who scored a gritty 26, and a spirited counterattack from Rishabh Pant. The wicketkeeper-batter contributed a fighting 37 off 78 balls, hitting six boundaries to frustrate the Australians. Debutant Nitish Reddy played a fearless knock of 41 off 59 deliveries, striking eight boundaries, and looked set for a half-century before falling to Pat Cummins.

India’s middle and lower order offered little resistance, folding for a modest total of 150. Hazlewood was the standout bowler, finishing with 4/29 in 13.5 overs, while Starc and Cummins chipped in with two wickets apiece.

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Jasprit Bumrah leads India’s fightback

India’s pacers responded with a sensational performance to seize the momentum. Stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah led from the front with a fiery spell that dismantled Australia’s top order. Bumrah removed Nathan McSweeney, Usman Khawaja, and Steven Smith in quick succession, leaving Australia reeling at 19 for 3.

Mohammed Siraj and Harshit Rana capitalized on the conditions to further dent the Australian innings. Siraj trapped Marnus Labuschagne lbw for 25 and dismissed Mitchell Marsh for 6, while Rana bowled Travis Head for 11.

By the close of play, Australia were precariously placed at 67 for 7, trailing India by 83 runs. Alex Carey (19*) and Starc (6*) were the only batters to show some resistance, as India’s pacers continued to exploit the challenging conditions.

A tense second day awaits

The stage is set for a gripping second day, with India holding a slight edge thanks to their bowlers. Australia’s lower order will need to dig deep if they are to close the deficit and avoid a significant first-innings disadvantage. Meanwhile, India will aim to wrap up the Australian innings quickly and extend their lead on this seam-friendly surface. With both teams showing glimpses of brilliance and vulnerability, fans can expect more fireworks as the Test progresses.

Here is how netizens reacted:

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