Perth, November 22 The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024 kicked off with an intense first session as Team India, led by stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah, faced a tough start against Australia in Perth. Opting to bat first, India lost four wickets before lunch, leaving fans anxious about the team’s prospects in this crucial opening Test.
A Morning of Missteps
India’s batting lineup crumbled early, with Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood spearheading a devastating Australian attack. Young opener Yashasvi Jaiswal departed for a duck, falling to a fiery delivery from Starc. Soon after, Devdutt Padikkal, also playing cautiously, was dismissed without scoring after facing 23 balls, leaving India reeling at 2/2.
Skipper-in-waiting Virat Kohli, who many hoped would anchor the innings, could only manage 5 runs off 12 deliveries before being caught by Usman Khawaja off Hazlewood’s sharp delivery. The dismissal sent shockwaves through the Indian camp, putting immense pressure on the middle order.
Adding to the woes, opener KL Rahul, who had shown some resistance with a gritty knock of 26 runs off 74 balls, fell just before lunch. Rahul was caught behind by wicketkeeper Alex Carey off Starc, leaving India limping at 51/4 in 25 overs.
Tough Times Continue for India
This shaky start is a continuation of India’s recent batting struggles. After a dismal 0-3 series loss to New Zealand at home, the Indian batters seem unable to break free from their lean patch. The absence of regular captain Rohit Sharma, who missed the match due to personal reasons, has further compounded the team’s troubles.
Notably, two debutants, Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana, were handed their maiden Test caps in this match, signaling India’s focus on youth despite the high stakes of the series.
Australia Dominates the Morning
Australia’s bowling attack was relentless, with Mitchell Starc leading the charge, claiming two key wickets and troubling the Indian batsmen with pace and precision. Josh Hazlewood and captain Pat Cummins kept the pressure on, ensuring no easy runs for the visitors.
Australia’s sharp fielding, epitomized by Khawaja’s stunning catch to dismiss Kohli, further underlined their dominance in the session.
India’s Playing XI Reflects Bold Choices
India’s lineup for the Perth Test features a mix of experience and youthful exuberance:
- Openers: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul
- Middle Order: Devdutt Padikkal, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant (wicketkeeper), Dhruv Jurel
- All-rounders: Washington Sundar, Nitish Kumar Reddy
- Bowlers: Jasprit Bumrah (captain), Harshit Rana, Mohammed Siraj
Australia’s playing XI boasts seasoned campaigners like Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, and an in-form Mitchell Starc, making them a formidable opponent on home turf.
India’s Glorious Past in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy
India has a proud history in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, having clinched back-to-back series victories in 2018-19 and 2020-21 with thrilling 2-1 margins. However, the current scenario highlights the challenges of playing in Australia’s backyard, especially with a young squad.
