Jasprit Bumrah headlines charge as India take command on opening day of Perth Test

It was a bowlers’ day out in Perth as a total of 17 wickets fell on the first day of the 2024-25 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India had two debutants to kickstart proceedings as Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy bagged their maiden international caps before Jasprit Bumrah won the toss and opted to bat first.

India were jolted early as Yashasvi Jaiswal (0), Devdutt Padikkal (0) and Virat Kohli (5) were back to the pavilion without troubling the Australian bowlers much. KL Rahul (26) looked good for his initial shard of resistance but that wasn’t enough as a questionable DRS call got the better of him.

Eventually it was a warring showdown by the duo of Rishabh Pant (37) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (41) that allowed India to push themselves to a fighting 150. Josh Hazlewood was the pick of the bowling lot for Australia as he claimed four wickets.

Reacting to an ordinary showdown with the bat, the Indian bowlers, spearheaded by their captain, Jasprit Bumrah, rattled Australia big time. Despite a dropped catch, Bumrah meant serious business and struck thrice in quick succession.

The first one to depart was Nathan McSweeney (10) as Bumrah left him stranded in front of the wickets. Up next was Usman Khwaja as Virat Kohli took a good catch at slip. Australia’s most formidable batter in Tests, Steve Smith, fell prey to an inswinger, and walked back for a first-ball duck.

Harshit Rana came up trumps next with Travis Head's scalp for 11. Australia’s troubles knew no end as wickets kept on tumbling with Bumrah striking the last one of the day in the form of the Australian captain, Pat Cummins, who was dismissed for three. At the end of day’s play, Australia found themselves struggling at 67/7, further trailing by 83. Jasprit Bumrah headlined the charge with figures of 4/17 from his 10 overs.

Brief scores:

India – 150/10 (Nitish Kumar Reddy – 41, Josh Hazlewood – 4/29)

Australia – 67/7 (Alex Carey – 19*, Jasprit Bumrah – 4/17)