India vs Australia, 1st Test Day 1 Highlights: India Post 77/1 at Stumps, Trail Australia by 100 Runs in First Innings

India 77/1 at stumps on Day 1, trail Australia (177 All-out) by 100 runs in the first innings in Nagpur.

The opening day of the Nagpur Test belonged majorly to Team India. The hosts managed to pick up all the 10 Australian wickets and then skipper Rohit Sharma showcased his class with the bat in hand. The Nagpur-born batter notched up his 15 Test fifty against an injury-stricken bowling attack, guiding his team to 77/1 at stumps. Rohit was in great touch, but vice-captain KL Rahul looked a bit rusty at the other end. He took almost 5 overs to get off the mark. Though he backed his captain well, runs didn’t come to him easily. His struggle, of 21 runs in 71 balls, was finally ended by Aussie debutant Todd Murphy an over before the stumps.

The day started with Indian pacers putting up a brilliant show with the new ball. Mohammed Siraj got rid of Usman Khawaja and then Shami chipped in to knock over David Warner. Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne came to rescue Australia with a gritty 82-run stand. However, things took a sharp turn with Ravindra Jadeja removing Labuschagne and Renshaw on consecutive deliveries. Smith also perished soon while the tail failed to wag.

Ashwin (3/42) and Jadeja (5/47) shared 8 wickets among each other as India bowled out Australia for 177.

Just an over before the stumps, Australia finds a breakthrough. It’s debutant Todd Murphy who takes an easy reflex catch to remove the Indian vice-captain, KL Rahul for 20. The 76-run opening stand has finally been broken.

IND: 76/1 after 22.5 overs

The Indian skipper is on song right from the beginning of the game and now brings up a well-made fifty with a boundary off Nathan Layan. He follows it up with another one through cover to finish the over with 12 runs.

IND: 74/0 after 22 overs

Only five overs are left in the day and Australia are desperate to get a breakthrough here as Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul are not giving them any chance to bounce back in the game. The spinners have hit the strict line and lengths but failed to get any wicket so far. IND 60/0 in 19 overs

Rohit Sharma continues to bat with a positive intent here as India crossed the 50-run mark quite comfortably. KL Rahul is not taking any risks and happy to play the second fiddle to his skipper. It has been a good day for India so far as they have dominated all the session so far. IND 54/0 in 16 overs

Todd Murphy has been impressive with the ball so far. The right-arm spinner has good control over his pace, line and length and can cause some trouble to the Indian batters as the game progress. IND 49/0

After getting beaten on a couple of occasions, Rohit Sharma decided to charge down the ground and put pressure back on Nathan Lyon with a six to finish the over. The Indian captain made it look very easy as India continue to frustrate the Australian bowlers here. IND 46/0 in 14 overs

KL Rahul is looking a bit short of confidence here as taking his time to get set in the middle. He has scored 6 runs in 37 balls and it seems like he has gone into a shell. Murphy and Lyon continue to put the doubts in the batters’ minds here. IND 39/0 in 13 overs

Debutant Todd Murphy into the attack and all eyes will be on him as the Indians don’t have much idea about his skills with the ball. He bowled a tidy first over but failed to hold his nerves on one occasion and bowled a no-ball. While KL Rahul continues to bat with a cautious approach. IND 38/0 in 11 overs

Sixth boundary for Rohit Sharma! Nathan Lyon floats this one full and outside the off stump. Rohit Sharma knocks this past the mid off fielder for four more runs.

IND: 33/0

So finally, Australia bring in their ace off-spinner, Nathan Lyon into the attack and KL Rahul faces him. Nothing changed much as the Indian vice-captain gets off to the mark with a single in the 6th over.

IND: 27/0 after 6 overs

Another couple of boundaries in Pat Cummins’ over and it makes life difficult for the Aussies in this game. India have scored 26 runs so far, all of them coming off Rohit’s bat. Insane things happening in Nagpur right now.

IND: 26/0 after 5 overs

Pat Cummins and Scott Bolland are toiling really hard to break India’s opening pair. After a terrific start, Rohit and Rahul are taking the innings ahead confidently.

IND: 16/0 after 4 overs

That’s how you start the innings in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Rohit vs Cummins – the battle of two captains and clearly the Indian leader is leading with examples. The Aussies are not liking it at all. Whom to blame now, the pitch?

IND: 13/0 after 1 over

An edge off the first ball that goes through the gap between slip and the gully for a boundary. Opening runs for India as captain Rohit Sharma goes off the mark.

IND: 4/0 after 0.1 over

Indian captain Rohit Sharma and vice-captain KL Rahul walk out to bat. Pat Cummins opens the Australian attack.

Ashwin & Jadeja just wiped out Australia, sharing 8 wickets with each other. Jadeja trapped Peter Handscomb for 31 to bag a five-wicket haul while Ashwin hit the last nail in the coffin by castling Scott Boland. Two quick wickets after tea mean Australia getting bundled out for 177. Marnus Labuschagne top-socred with 49. Smith (31), Handscomb (31) and Alex Carey (36) were the other major contributors.

Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin are bowling in tandem as India look to bundled out Australia as soon as possible.

Peter Handscomb and Nathan Lyon walk out as they resume the Australian innings from 174/8. Ravindra Jadeja opens the attack.

And with that dot ball, a riveting post Lunch session comes to an end. 98 runs for Australia, but they lost 6 wickets; four of them went to Ravindra Jadeja. What a session of Test match cricket, great session for India. AUS 174/8