NEW DELHI: In a stunning start to the latest edition of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, the opening day of the Perth Test saw as many as 17 wickets falling as bowlers wreaked havoc on a grassy and bouncy Optus Stadium track.
After India were shot down to 150 all out, Australia too found themselves teetering on 67 for 7 in reply at the close of play on Day 1.
While pacers Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc fired bullets one after another at the batters in the morning, India pacers then came up with the response of their own as Jasprit Bumrah and Co. put the hosts’ batters on the mat.
After a torrid show from the batters, breath-taking pace bowling was on display as the quicks saved the day for India, putting the team in the driver’s seat after the opening day’s play.
Former India batter turned commentator Sanjay Manjrekar doffed his hat to India’s quicks, pointing out that they yet again saved India from an embarrassment.
Stand-in skipper Bumrah led the Indian attack with figures of 4 for 17 while fellow fast bowler Mohamed Siraj took 2 for 17 on a difficult day for batting.
Left-handers Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc were unbeaten on 19 and 6 runs respectively as Australia still trail India by 83 runs.
