Bowlers Dominate in Perth: India Ahead Despite Being Bowled Out for 150

The much-anticipated Border-Gavaskar Trophy began today (November 22) with a thrilling first day of the opening Test between Australia and India at the Perth Stadium. It was a day ruled by bowlers as India, bowled out for just 150, still managed to gain the upper hand, reducing Australia to 67/7 at stumps.

Winning the toss, India opted to bat first but faced early setbacks. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal and No. 3 Devdutt Padikkal both departed without scoring. Virat Kohli, falling victim to Josh Hazlewood’s second strike, could muster only 5 runs.

Opener KL Rahul looked set to stabilize the innings, but his controversial dismissal for 26 left the visitors reeling. Following his departure, Dhruv Jurel (11) and Washington Sundar (4) couldn’t provide resistance, leaving India in dire straits at 73/6.

A spirited 48-run partnership between Rishabh Pant and debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy offered some respite. Pant played an aggressive innings, scoring 37 off 78 balls before Pat Cummins sent him back to the pavilion, marking the first time he dismissed Pant in Test cricket.

 

 

 

 

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Nitish Kumar Reddy, showcasing composure, top-scored with 41 runs, guiding India to a modest total of 150. For Australia, Hazlewood starred with 4 wickets, while Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Marsh claimed 2 wickets each.

In response, Australia's batting lineup crumbled under the relentless attack of Indian pacers, led by captain Jasprit Bumrah. The hosts had no answer to Bumrah’s fiery spells, as he took 4 wickets for just 17 runs in his 10 overs.

 

 

 

 

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Mohammed Siraj added 2 wickets, and Harshit Rana chipped in with 1. By the close of play, Alex Carey (19*) and Mitchell Starc (6*) were left to resume Australia’s innings on Day 2, with the team still trailing India’s first-innings total by 83 runs.