Australia vs India 2018-19, 1st Test: Twitter Reacts As Bowlers Put Hosts In Driver's Seat
Australia reduced India to 56 for 4 at the end of the first session of the first Test to start the proceedings in the series on a stunning note.
The pre-series talk was all about the contest between the India batsmen and Australia bowlers. And if the first session of the four-match series is a precursor of the things that will follow, then it is safe to say that the Australia bowlers will rule the roost. All the talks of current form, weakest Australian team in recent past, absence of David Warner and Steve Smith took the back seat as India’s top-order failed to deliver in overseas conditions once again.
The decision to open the innings with out-of-form KL Rahul and comeback man Murali Vijay backfired. Both the openers failed to get going, departing cheaply as India found themselves 2 down for just 15. Rahul was the first to depart after he edged a Josh Hazlewood delivery to Aaron Finch in the slip. 12 runs later, Murali Vijay edged a fuller delivery from Mitchell Starc behind the stumps.
Vijay’s dismissal brought Virat Kohli in the middle. All eyes were on the India skipper but he too ended up paying the price for going for an expensive drive.
The right-handed batsman edged one from Pat Cummins which was taken brilliantly by Usman Khawaja in the gully. Kohli’s dismissal saw India reeling at 19 for 3.
Incredible from @Uz_Khawaja! #AUSvIND | @bet365_aus pic.twitter.com/eLgBLnQssM
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 6, 2018
The ever-reliable Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane then stopped the rot for a while. However, just when it looked like the two are set for a big stand, another poor shot came back to haunt India. Rahane flashed hard at a delivery from Hazlewood which was well outside off and could only manage to edge it to the slip cordon.
Pujara and Rohit then took the score past the 50-run mark. The first session ended with Australia on top as the scorecard read 56 for 4.
Here is how Twitter reacted to the action in the first session:
Brilliant start from Australia. Shot selection poor from the Indian batsman but credit to the Aussie bowlers who were spot on from ball one ?? ???
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) December 6, 2018
What a great 1st session by @cricketcomau having lost the toss. Though you would expect in 39 degree weather the 2nd session will be harder going. #ausvind
— Lisa Sthalekar (@sthalekar93) December 6, 2018
The Indians have come out with an ultra aggressive approach .. Gifted the Aussies 3 wickets .. Not so sure it’s the right game plan .. Old school leaves required in Session 1 in Adelaide .. #AUSvIND @FoxCricket
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) December 6, 2018
This is beginning to look like school days. You wake up early, the Indian top-order fails, it’s time for breakfast and you leave home thinking it’s better to focus on your career than following cricket. #AusvInd
— Rahul Fernandes (@newspaperwallah) December 6, 2018
Today is the first time Australia has had the visiting team 2-15 or fewer at Adelaide Oval this millennium. #AusvInd
— Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay) December 6, 2018
hitting em well in the nets, were you champ?
?#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/pY5CA2hnem
— Matt Coleman (@_MattColeman) December 6, 2018
But did it make a nice sound off the bat though? #AusvInd
— Andrew Miller (@miller_cricket) December 6, 2018
Virat Kohli against Pat Cummins in Tests
Balls faced – 4
Runs scored – 0
Dismissals – 2#AUSvIND— JSK (@imjsk27) December 6, 2018
at 6:25am in india, those awake are having a nightmare #AUSvIND
— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) December 6, 2018
On a related note, this is where Shastri's calling this team the best touring team in the last 15 years falls flat. Compared to this lot India competed more consistently in the peek of Dravid-Tendulkar-Laxman-Ganguly era coz they managed to consistently put runs on the board.
— cricBC (@cricBC) December 1, 2018
murli vijay kab retire hoga
— Arun Lol (@dhaikilokatweet) December 6, 2018
India's opening session:
Rahul nicked when tried to drive
Vijay nicked when tried to drive
Kohli nicked when tried to drive
— Broken Cricket (@BrokenCricket) December 6, 2018
India on the mat in the first session itself on what actually looks like a good batting pitch. Now or never situation for @ImRo45
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) December 6, 2018
Chasing wide deliveries unravelling as a top order malaise. Rahane’s dismissal similar to that of Rahul and Virat. Wassup guys? #INDvAUS
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) December 6, 2018
Kohli talked about being confident and playing shots and not be all over the place.
India have done just that, played rash shots. Everybody has thrown bat at wide ones. Right intent, wrong execution.
— Nikhil ? (@CricCrazyNIKS) December 6, 2018
