Aussie quicks decimate India before Bumrah late strike livens up Sydney test

 

In the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the Indian team has become almost synonymous with batting collapses. From Perth to Brisbane, Tem India  have been consistently dismantled by the formidable Australian bowling attack. The same story unfolded again in Sydney, as India's batting lineup surrendered in the first Test of the new year.

Controversies Surround Team India

From the very start of the Sydney Test, controversies have plagued the Men in Blue. Debate continues over whether Rohit Sharma has been rested or dropped due to poor form. On Friday, Jasprit Bumrah led the Indian side in Rohit's absence ending of speculation. Shubman Gill was brought back into the playing XI, while KL Rahul was sent back to open the innings. Prasidh Krishna replaced Akash Deep, who was struggling with a back injury. For Australia  Webster replaced an out of form Mitch Marsh. 

India's Batting Collapse

Winning the toss, Indian skipper Bumrah opted to bat first—a decision that backfired. The in-form openers, Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul, failed to deliver. Rahul was dismissed for just 4 runs off 14 balls flicking straight to square leg off Starc  , while Jaiswal managed only 10 runs from 26 deliveries snicking to slips off Boland . Shubman Gill spent some time at the crease but was dismissed after scoring 20 runs caught in the slips off Lyon just before lunch .

Virat Kohli stayed for a long time in trying to grind out the runs but once again fell victim to his old weakness, throwing his wicket away. Almost getting out on the very first ball he faced, Kohli eventually nicked an outswinger outside the off-stump from his nemesis Scott Boland  and was dismissed caught at gully by a diving  debutant Webster .

Rishabh Pant, in an unusually defensive approach, scored 40 runs off 98 balls despite taking multiple blows from the Australian pacers. While he tried to anchor the innings, the effort was in vain as he finally skied a shot to mid on off Boland . Nitish Reddy lasted one ball as Boland had him caught in the slips .   Ravindra Jadeja who was dropped early by Smith ,  contributed 26 runs, and Washington Sundar managed 14 but their vigil was cut short by a relentless Aussie pace attack 

It was captain Jasprit Bumrah’s quickfire 22 off 17 balls, featuring three boundaries and a six, that helped India cross the 150-run mark. Thanks to Bumrah’s heroics, India’s first innings totalled 185 runs.

Australia's tense  Response

In reply, Australia ended Day 1 at 9/1. Bumrah struck on the final ball of the day, dismissing Usman Khawaja(2)  to give India a glimmer of hope in a tense situation as the Indian players had a go at the arrogant young opener Sam Konstas after Khawaja dismissal . 

The first day has once again highlighted India's batting woes, leaving them with a steep challenge to fight back in this Test.