The decision of India skipper Rohit Sharma to bowl first on a green top pitch was proven right by the team’s fiery pacer Mohammed Siraj. Although the Australian opening duo of David Warner and Usman Khawaja faced the first three overs confidently and looked good, Siraj went on to dismiss Khawaja for a duck off a stunning delivery.
On the fourth ball of the fourth over, Siraj delivered an outside-off bouncy delivery to Khawaja, which the latter edged to the Indian wicket-keeper KS Bharat and departed without opening his account after facing ten deliveries.
Apart from Siraj’s brilliant ball, it was the lack of foot movement from the left-handed batter that gave India their first breakthrough in the summit clash. While Siraj was seen pumped up after the dismissal and received a hug from his teammate Virat Kohli, Khawaja walked back to the pavilion in disbelief.
Here’s the video:
The play on Day 1 of the match further also saw Warner being dismissed by Shardul Thakur after scoring impressive 43 runs off 60 deliveries. However, Marnus Labuschagne had held one end tight for the Aussies and is batting on 26 (61) alongside Steve Smith with Australia 73/2 in 23 overs till Lunch.
Speaking of India’s bowling, Umesh Yadav has so far been the costliest pacer for the side. Umesh bowled six overs before Lunch and has conceded 27 runs. He was even hammered for four boundaries by Warner in one of his overs. Meanwhile, despite being wicketless, Mohammed Shami has given the least runs in the morning session among Indian pacers.
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