India turn the tide around to finish Day 1 of MCG Test on a balanced note

It was more of a balanced finish to the opening day of the fourth Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy as India managed to turn things around in the latter half despite a bit of a shaky start. Winning the toss, Australia opted to bat first and got off to a fine start as debutant Sam Konstas and Usman Khwaja were in great stead on the MCG batting surface.

Konstas (60) and Khwaja (57) added 89 runs for the opening stand before Ravindra Jadeja rattled the opening partnership. However, India couldn’t make the most of the opening breakthrough as the runs kept on coming for the hosts. Marnus Labuschagne (72) took over the wheel while an incoming Steve Smith a while later looked in effervescent touch too.

Despite the early showdown from the top four of Australia as Smith stayed unbeaten for 68, four quick strikes in the latter half saw the visitors turning the wheel. Washington Sundar got the better of Labuschagne which was followed by Jasprit Bumrah’s double whammy removing Travis Head (0) and Mitchell Marsh (4) to leave Australia wobbling.

Akash Deep salvaged another wicket to conclude things on the opening day for India on a high. Alex Carey nicked one to Rishabh Pant for a well-orchestrated 31. At the end of the day, Australia were stationed at 311/6 as Pat Cummins stayed unbeaten at the other end of Smith.

Brief scores:

Australia – 311/6 (Steve Smith – 68*, Jasprit Bumrah – 3/75)