Australia vs India: Advantage India after first day of MCG Test

From 36/9 to 36/1 – it’s amazing how fortunes can change within days. A spirited bowling performance, ably supported by some brilliant catching helped India have their noses ahead after the end of day’s play in the 2nd Test at MCG.

Having won the toss, Australia made the conventional call of batting first. But the move did not quite go there way as Jasprit Bumrah removed opener Joe Burns for a duck and Ashwin, who was introduced in the 11th over, got the better of Matthew Wade and Steve Smith within his first two overs.

After lunch, the hosts got a bit positive with Travis Head trying to push the scoring a bit. However, a barrage of short balls turned out to be a perfect ploy as he eventually poked on not so short delivery towards gully.

RCB pacer, Mohammed Siraj too had a decent debut as he got two crucial wickets of Marnus Labuschagne and Cameron Green to help India quickly get to the tail. Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers with four wickets to his name while Ashwin bagged three, ensuring a rare occurrence of Australia getting bowled out on the first day of a Boxing Day Test.

With India having to face with the task of facing a few overs before the end of day’s play, Australia came out charging. Mayank Agarwal was the casualty of some fierce bowling from Mitchell Starc who trapped him in front. But Shubhman Gill, who was brought in place of Prithvi Shaw had a field day. Gill, who had earlier taken a blinder to get rid of Labuschagne, went unbeaten on 28 off 38 to end the day on a high for India. He had the company of Cheteshwar Pujara at the other end who remained not out on 7*.