Twitter Reactions: Ravi Ashwin, Jasprit Bumrah and Siraj skittle Australia for 195 on Day 1

There was a hush among the Indian fans after Ajinkya Rahane lost the toss at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. The average first innings score at the venue in last five matches was around 440 and one felt, a long day was in the offing for the visitors’ bowling attack sans Mohammed Shami. Fast forward to end of Day 1 and India were batting having skittled Australia for just 195 thanks to their bowlers.

It all started with Jasprit Bumrah troubling the struggling Joe Burns with the outside the off-stump line. He eventually edged one bagging a 10-ball duck. Matthew Wade looked good for a brief period playing positive cricket. But Ravi Ashwin’s introduction into the attack unsettled him and the left-hander threw his wicket away. The off-spinner continued his magic with the ball as he nipped out Steve Smith for a duck.

The moisture in the surface was helping the off-spinner as the ball turned and grip after landing and it was enough to trouble the Australian batsmen. Meanwhile, Marnus Labuschagne survived a few close calls and batted through to Lunch with the first session going India’s way.

India comeback well in 2nd session after flat first hour

The first hour of the second session completely belonged to Australia with Labuschagne and Travis Head looking comfortable. Mohammed Siraj, the debutant, and Umesh Yadav were completely flat and didn’t create any chances. They stitched 86 runs for the fourth wicket and at one stage, threatened to take the game away from the visitors.

This is when Ajinkya Rahane’s captaincy came to the fore. His field settings had a purpose and it served when Head edged one to gully off Bumrah on 38. The partnership was broken and then came the trap of the day. Mohammed Siraj steamed in and bowling a full delivery angling into Labuschagne’s pads. His eyes lit up and he played a flick shot not caring about keeping it down.

However, little did he know about the backward square leg fielder Shubman Gill who was standing a bit close. He dived to his right and clung on to a low catch. Siraj had his maiden wicket in Test cricket and it was of none other than the set Labuschagne. At 134/5, Australia needed the skipper Tim Paine to play an innings similar to Adelaide first innings.

India bossed the third session

He and Cameron Green survived the tricky phase before Tea. But once the play resumed, it was a one-way traffic with India’s bowlers giving away nothing. Bumrah got into the act with Ashwin to nip out the lower-order quickly. The much-famed lower order of the Aussies didn’t frustrate India this time though Nathan Lyon managed to score 20 off just 17.

There was a controversy regarding Tim Paine’s run-out which, according to many, should’ve been given out by the third umpire. But that didn’t cost India either. Australia were skittled for just 195 in 72.3 overs with Bumrah leading the pack with four wickets while Ashwin (3 wickets) and Siraj (2 wickets) sharing five wickets between them.

Shubman Gill gets off the mark in Test cricket

The 36 all-out was still haunting the Indian fans and amidst all that, the openers Mayank Agarwal and Shubman Gill stepped out for the tourists. And the worst nightmare for them came true as Mitchell Starc pinned the former in front of the stumps in the very first over. However, Shubman Gill survived the toughest phase and then played a few glorious strokes giving a glimpse what’s to come in future.

Cheteshwar Pujara was solid as ever as India managed to end the Day strongly on 36/1, trailing only by 159 runs in the first innings. They will now be hoping to bat well and take a lead over the hosts on the second day. On the other hand, the Aussies will back themselves to bowl the opposition out having done it easily in the previous Test. Another enthralling day of Test cricket awaits us.

Here’s how Twitter reacted: