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The first day of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy between India and Australia in Perth witnessed an exhilarating display of fast bowling, resulting in a remarkable 17 wickets falling on a single day – a feat unmatched in Australia since 1952. The match began with a surprising decision from India's stand-in captain, Jasprit Bumrah, who won the toss and elected to bat first on a pacy and bouncy pitch. This bold choice proved to be a miscalculation as the Australian pace trio of Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc wreaked havoc on the Indian batting lineup. The Indian top order crumbled under the relentless assault, with several batsmen recording single-digit scores. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Devdutt Padikkal, both making their debuts, failed to make an impact, and Virat Kohli continued his struggles, dismissed for a mere 5 runs. KL Rahul, despite some resistance, fell victim to a controversial decision, leaving India in a precarious position at lunch, with 51/4.
The Australian bowlers continued their dominance in the post-lunch session. Dhruv Jurel and Washington Sundar were quickly dispatched, while Rishabh Pant and debutant Nitish Reddy offered some resistance. Reddy, in particular, played a counter-attacking innings, scoring 41 runs, the highest score for India. However, the Indian innings ultimately folded for a paltry 150 runs within 50 overs. Hazlewood emerged as the star bowler, claiming 4 wickets for 29 runs, while Starc and Cummins also contributed significantly with multiple wickets each. The Australian bowlers exploited the bounce and pace of the pitch effectively, consistently targeting the corridor of uncertainty, leaving the Indian batsmen struggling to adjust their approach. The quality of bowling on display from the Australians was simply exceptional, effectively nullifying the Indian batting strategy.
The second innings saw India's pace attack retaliate with equal ferocity. Bumrah, leading from the front, delivered a devastating spell, removing three Australian batsmen in quick succession – Nathan McSweeney, Usman Khawaja, and Steven Smith – all within a short period. His precision and pace proved too much for the Australian top order, leaving them reeling. Bumrah's incredible spell ended with impressive figures of 4/17, making him the standout performer for India. In addition to Bumrah’s heroics, debutant Harshit Rana made an instant impact, showcasing his talent by claiming the crucial wicket of Travis Head. His impressive performance highlighted the potential of India's bowling depth. Mohammed Siraj also contributed to the wicket tally, further showcasing India's bowling prowess. Rana's consistent line and length, combined with his heart-filled performance, maintained pressure on the Australian batsmen, limiting their progress. The day ended with Australia trailing India by 83 runs at 67/7, setting up a fascinating contest for the remaining days of the match.
The first day's play showcased a captivating contrast in bowling styles, with both teams exhibiting exceptional fast bowling skills. The match highlighted the importance of skillful pace bowling on a conducive pitch and the vulnerability of even experienced batsmen against top-class fast bowlers. While India's decision to bat first proved costly, the team's response in the second innings demonstrated their resilience and ability to mount a comeback. The performance of debutants Nitish Reddy and Harshit Rana also provided a positive note for the Indian team, suggesting promising talent within the ranks. The match set the stage for a thrilling encounter, promising an intense battle between bat and ball throughout the remaining days of this critical Test match in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Source: India vs Australia: How the madness unfolded on 17-wicket day in Perth