In an intense opening round of the much-anticipated Perth Test bout, Australia landed the first punch. However, Jasprit Bumrah's fiery spells helped India land a stinging counter-punch and finish the opening day in the driver's seat.A high-quality contest between two world-class pace attacks dominated the first day of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Optus Stadium. …
AUS v IND, Perth Test: Genius Jasprit Bumrah leads India’s stinging counter-punch
In an intense opening round of the much-anticipated Perth Test bout, Australia landed the first punch. However, Jasprit Bumrah’s fiery spells helped India land a stinging counter-punch and finish the opening day in the driver’s seat.A high-quality contest between two world-class pace attacks dominated the first day of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Optus Stadium. Batters, including stars Virat Kohli and Steve Smith, had little joy on a pitch offering its trademark pace and bounce.
(Full Scorecard)
A staggering 17 wickets fell on Day 1, but India emerged as the happier side by the close of play. Despite being bowled out for 150, India’s pace attack left Australia reeling at 67 for 7 after 27 overs of relentless hostility from a new-look bowling unit.
AUS vs IND 1st Test, Day 1 Highlights
Stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah showed why he is arguably the best fast bowler going around. Delivering three searing spells across nine overs, Bumrah seemed capable of taking a wicket with every ball. Eventually, he picked up four wickets, which included two wickets in an over in which he got the big scalps of Steve Smith and Usman Khawaja. Bumrah was unplayable with the red Kookaburra as he bowled with venom, knowing fully well that India needed a good start with the ball after a disappointing effort with the ball.
TWO IN AN OVER: BUMRAH MAGIC
The shift in momentum was complete when Steve Smith, who returned to his preferred No. 4 spot, was undone by a venomous delivery that pitched outside the off-stump and jagged back to hit the pads. Smith did not even take a review as he was trapped plumb in front of the stumps. It was a shock for the packed Perth crowd as Australia lost two of their best Test batters in as many deliveries in the seventh over.
Bumrah was on the money from the word go. As the stand-in captain, he gave himself the responsibility of bowling with the red cherry. He did not take long to strike as Nathan McSweeney was undone by his magic in the third over. You can’t blame the young debutant, can you? Facing the pace tormentor, he was not equipped to handle the change in direction as Bumrah got his man LBW.
