Pune: Australia showed some initial fight but Indian bowlers reigned supreme in the next two sessions to leave Australia tottering at 205/9 before Mitchell Starc counter attacked with a 47-ball fifty to take Australia to 256/9 in 94 overs. The score seems fighting one considering the dry state of the pitch on the opening day of the first Test at the Maharashtra Cricket Stadium here on Thursday.
Matthew Renshaw 68 (156b, 10x4, 1x6) played superbly for the visitors in two bursts and gave Australia good platform with an opening stand of 82 with the experienced David Warner. But the Aussies failed to capitalise on the good start on a difficult pitch which showed signs of early wear and tear. Starc (57 not out in 58 balls) struck five fours and three sixes and added 51 runs in 51 minutes for the unfinished last wicket stand with Josh Hazlewood to lift the mood in the camp.
Umesh Yadav who broke the opening stand by cleaning up Warner, ended up with impressive figures of 4/32. Ravichandran Ashwin (2/59) and Ravindra Jadeja (2/74) picked two wickets apiece and kept things quiet. The pitch was the major talking point as it was too dry and an odd ball showed signs of misbehavior. Virat Kohli introduced Ashwin as early as in the second over after the visitors opted to bat first. But Warner was vigilant in the company of Renshaw who took bulk of strike. Both relied on quick singles as runs were hard to come by.
Ashwin who bowled 16 overs in first session, thought Renshaw nicked one to Wriddhiman Saha in the tenth over and Kohli went for a review which was turned down. Jayant Yadav rattled Warner’s bails on a no ball. Umesh Yadav bowled his first over just 15 minutes before lunch and he made immediate impact as Warner played on to his stumps.
He scored 38 off 77 balls during his 100 minute vigil at the crease and struck six boundaries. Renshaw also was retired ill on 36 as the visitors had a new pair of Smith and Shaun Marsh at the crease. India lost both reviews when Kohli wanted to check an lbw decision against Smith but the ball was sliding down leg.
