Australia vs India 2018: 1st Test Match, Day 1 - Report
Published - 06 Dec 2018, 02:04 PM | Updated - 22 Aug 2024, 11:57 PM
India was able to get to a respectable score of 250-9 as Cheteshwar Pujara kept the visitors into the contest. Pujara scored a valiant century which was his 16th in red ball version. Pujara also completed his 5000 runs during the course of his innings. However, Pujara was given good support by Ravichandran Ashwin.
Australia dominated the first session of the day as they scalped four wickets by giving only 56 runs. There were some loose shots from the Indian batters as they all went for expensive drives. KL Rahul continued his dismal form going as he was looking to drive through the covers. Josh Hazlewood was the pick of the Australian bowlers as the vice-captain took two wickets in the first session.
Murali Vijay could only find a faint edge as Mitchell Starc was able to get the better off the Indian opener. Meanwhile, Pat Cummins took only three balls to take out the big fish, Virat Kohli. The Indian skipper who was looking aggressive in his batting approach, chased the fifth stump ball (one of the chinks in his armour when he is in young minutes of his innings).
Usman Khawaja flew like a bird to take a blinder of a catch at the gully position. Meanwhile, Ajinkya Rahane also chased off the wide ball to perish in a familiar fashion.
On the other hand, Rohit Sharma looked good for his knock of 37 runs. However, Sharma gifted his wicket as he tried to go for another big shot after getting riding on his luck on the previous hit.
Subsequently, Ravichandran Ashwin and Cheteshwar Pujara did the rebuilding work as the pair added 62 runs for the seventh wicket. Pujara scored his 16th century as the right-hander was the lone warrior in the Indian batting line-up.
Meanwhile, Pujara showed great resistance as he showed the stomach for the fight. The right-hander scored seven fours and two sixes in his pivotal innings of 123 to keep India in the game.
Pujara was solid in his defence and was able to punish the Aussie bowlers when they veered off the track. Furthermore, Pujara changed gears while batting with the tail. However, Pujara innings was ended with a brilliant bit of fielding from Pat Cummins.
Brief Scores: India 250-9, Cheteshwar Pujara: 123
Josh Hazlewood: 2-52
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