New Delhi: The Indian cricket team’s tour of Australia began on a disappointing note as they crumbled to a paltry 150 runs in the first innings of the Perth Test. Facing a formidable Australian fast bowling attack, India’s batsmen struggled to find their footing, with the top order collapsing spectacularly. The innings was salvaged, to some extent, by a resilient effort from the lower order, particularly Nitish Kumar Reddy, who scored 41, and Rishabh Pant, who contributed 37.
A Risky Call Backfires
Indian captain Jasprit Bumrah won the toss and elected to bat first, hoping to set a challenging total on a fast and bouncy Perth wicket. However, the decision quickly backfired as the team lost four wickets for just 47 runs in the opening session. The situation worsened after lunch, with the Australian pacers unleashing a relentless assault that saw the Indian innings wrapped up in the second session itself.
Pace Fury from the Aussies
The Australian bowling unit, led by skipper Pat Cummins, showcased an impeccable display of fast bowling. Josh Hazlewood was the standout performer, claiming 4 wickets for just 29 runs in 13 overs, while Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Marsh took two wickets each. The fast bowlers exploited the conditions expertly, dismantling the Indian batting lineup with precision and aggression.
Top Order in Tatters
India’s top-order batsmen failed to rise to the occasion. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed for a duck, while his partner Devdutt Padikkal managed just a single run before being sent back to the pavilion. Star batsman Virat Kohli’s lean patch continued as he could muster only 5 runs. Young Dhruv Jurel scored 11, and Washington Sundar departed for just 4 runs.
The lower order provided a semblance of resistance. Nitish Kumar Reddy played a fighting knock of 41 runs, while Rishabh Pant added 37 runs to the total. KL Rahul chipped in with 26 but lacked the support needed to anchor the innings. Six of India’s batsmen failed to reach double digits, highlighting the team’s collective struggle against Australia’s fiery pace attack.
What Lies Ahead
India faces an uphill task in the Perth Test, with the team already on the back foot after a poor batting performance. The bowlers will need to deliver an extraordinary performance to keep the match alive. For now, the spotlight remains on Australia’s fast bowlers, who have set the tone for the series with their clinical performance.
This dismal start raises concerns about India’s ability to adapt to Australian conditions and adds pressure on the team to bounce back in the second innings.
