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1st Test, Day 1: Australia crumble against Umesh Yadav's pace on turning pitch

Umesh Yadav produced a fine bowling performance on Thursday (Feb 23) as Australia scored 256 for the loss of 9 wickets at stumps on Day 1.

Pune, Feb 23: Indian pacer Umesh Yadav produced a fine bowling performance on Thursday (February 23) as India restricted Australia to 256/9 at stumps on the opening day of the first Test here at Maharashtra Cricket Association (MCA) Stadium.

Australia-India series schedule; Photos;

Young Matt Renshaw (68) and Mitchell Starc (57 not out) were the top scorers for the visitors after skipper Steve Smith won a crucial toss and elected to bat first.

Umesh Yadav celebrates after dismissing Matthew Wade. Photo courtesy: BCCI

Yadav grabbed 4 wickets in 12 overs on a turning pitch to push the visitors on the back foot before tailender Starc and Josh Hazlewood (1 not out) denied India the last wicket till the end of day's play.

The visitors were 205 for 9 as Indian bowlers kept taking wickets at regular intervals. But Starc's aggressive intent helped the visitors reach a respectable total. Both Hazlewood and Starc put on 51 runs for the last wicket and went unbeaten.

Renshaw, who is playing his maiden Test match in India, emerged as the top scorer for the visitors, so far. He was caught at slips after scoring 68. Ashwin claimed his wicket.

Skipper Smith (27), Peter Handscomb (22) were dismissed in two consecutive overs by Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Young Jayant Yadav had dismissed Shaun Marsh for 16 to give India their second breakthrough.

Matt Renshaw raises his bat after completing half century. Photo courtesy: BCCI

David Warner was the only wicket to fall in the first session. The left-handed batsman was cleaned up by pacer Umesh Yadav at 38. His partner Renshaw was retired hurt as he complained of tummy bug.

No other batsman offered any resistance to the Indian bowlers as wickets kept falling at regular intervals in the second and third session.

The pitch is very dry and supported spinners from the very start and that forced the Australian skipper to opt to bat first. But, it was surprising to see a pacer return with maximum wickets at stumps.

Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja got two wickets apiece for the hosts.

After winning the toss, Smith said, "It's very dry, won't bounce. Looks different to the T20 games I've played here. Our preparations have been great, about executing our skills under pressure. Two fast bowlers and an all-rounder."

(It looks like a Day 5 pitch, says Shane Warne)

India skipper Virat Kohli made just one change in their Playing XI by bringing in off-spinner Jayant Yadav and resting pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar. While the visitors have picked up 2 spinners in their playing XI. (Kohli wary of 'outstanding' Starc)

"I don't come to the toss expecting anything. These things you have to keep out of contention. Looking at it as a challenge. In place of Bhuvi, we have Jayant. Reverse swing will be a big factor. Three really good sessions of preparation," Kohli after losing the toss.

The 4-match series between No. 1 and No. 2 Test teams is the final leg of India's long Test season which started with a four-match series against West Indies in the Caribbean.

A lot will be at stake in this Border Gavaskar Trophy as both the teams would be eager to stamp their authority in the longer format of the game by winning the series.

(Am 'great friends' with Aussies: Kohli)

India, under the leadership of an invincible skipper Kohli, would be eyeing another Test series victory to set several records by whitewashing the Aussies. India whitewashed Australia 4-0 when they last visited here in 2013.

Visitors, on the other hand, are hoping to beat India in their own backyard and avenge the humiliation of the previous tour.

With a series win over India, Smith and Co. want to improve their Test record on Indian soil and also in Asia.


Playing XIs

India

Virat Kohli (captain), Murali Vijay, KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Wriddhiman Saha (wicketkeeper), R Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja, Jayant Yadav, Umesh Yadav, Ishant Sharma.

Australia:

Steve Smith (captain), David Warner, Matt Renshaw, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Mitchell Marsh, Matthew Wade (wicketkeeper), Steve O'Keefe, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood.

OneIndia News

Story first published: Thursday, August 3, 2017, 7:43 [IST]
Other articles published on Aug 3, 2017