On Day 1, Australia was playing against India at the third test. The Indian team was able to score 167 runs while losing 6 wickets. In the first half, Australia’s Steve Smith took a great catch against KL Rahul. Despite all this effort shown by lower order batsmen in the form of resiliency, India was able to showcase some remarkable fielding. The Indian top order, due to the toning of Australia’s knife-wielding bowling, put them in a vulnerable situation going towards the end of the session, even though efforts were made by Rahul as well as Shreyas Iyer.
The Morning Session: A contest of nerves
It was obvious that once the players took to the center of the Gabba in Brisbane, that the weather conditions were bound to be hard. The surface was shifting side to side, exhibiting bounce. But there was still some glimmer of optimism for the batters due to the early sun. It was true that India needed a solid opening to make an innings out of the inning. However, Australian bowlers had their tactics which completely undermined this approach.
The first wicket loss of a session came on this occasion as Australian bowler got Ashwin eliminated at a lower score. As KL Rahul walked in, pressure started to build on him. He had been a talking point in almost every conversation that revolved around the test match. The talk included the bids promoting Ashwin over him. In the perfect setting which aimed to silence all critics surrounding him, the Rahul that walked in, was fearless.
He opted to use a safer approach and started off slow, concentrating on his defense and scoring points at the same time.
Yet, the crucial test came when a relay during the batting took the world by surprise. Rahul was well in sync until he faced Nathan Lyon – Australia’s star spinner. The ball was lifted up while Rahul was trying to play an upset and send the ball to the offside. But the ball glancingly hit his inner edge and was directed towards backup catcher Steve Smith. Out of nowhere, Smith had gone down on his left and intercepted the ball with only one of his hands from flimsy vegetation.
During that moment, all that could be heard was silence throughout the Australian benches and the fans watching. It was indeed a remarkable catch against him, which caused delight to Australia, as he’d scored 35 runs before getting excited in coming off the pavilions.
The dismissal of Rahul in Smith’s catch not only ended the innings of the Indian player but also the great show put on during the field by the Australians. Smith, the astonishing Australian batsman who is known to go outside the bouncers, has often times been underappreciated as a slip fielder. As a result of this catch, this reputation was about to grow. As a result of the dismissal, the Indian team managed a score of 94-4 while the Australians had gotten their up at the cut-off.
The Middle Order Well Bats: Shreyas Iyer’s Effort.
India needed calm after the loss of Rahuls bat in the first run out and because of this, Iyer came in to bat at No. 5 replacing him.
Iyer played an exceptional innings against Australia and he helped India to string together the innings. He had to face Australia’s brutal bowling attack. Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins consistently employed short-pitched deliveries with the intention to unsettle Iyer’s technique but Iyer had other plans as he perfectly executed wonderful cover drives, favorably receiving those short deliveries and enjoying the short ball.
Succeeding in the pursuit of countering threats, the Indian batsman was able to get a decent amount of runs over the board and rotating the strike. There was much-needed evapourated stress that aided in establishing a partnership with Rishabh Pant. The latter’s inclusion at number 6 was so that he could bring in attacking play. Pant, who is considered destructive was able to help Iyer compete in a 30-run partnership that at one point made it look as though the match shifted in India’s direction. But instead, at that moment Iyer delivered a brilliant performance Smith’s delivery bowled by Pat Cummins. He managed to get him out for 19 runs and helped India.
India was now at 139-5 after the exit of Pant. Australia took control of the match very quickly when Jadeja walked on to bat. Iyer’s defiance was short lived as very shortly before the break Iyer became a victim of Mitchell Starc as he was caught behind for 45 runs.
As India at the commencement of the match break stood at 167-6, it was now at a fragile position but the position also had a sense of retention of positivity as it stood at 167-6.
The incident of Rahul’s remarkable runout complimented the loss of important middle-order wickets. And thus, Australia obtained the upper hand. The Indian batting in the lower order surely has to learn how to adapt from this situation and be patient.
Despite the few losses, the Indian team showed determination in the morning session. Iyer’s knock was one of the best for him and among the few good news that came for India in the test match. On the other hand in Australia’s performance, Smith’s unbelievable catch and their bowlers’ non-stop harassment turned out to be the most important parts of the session.
What is Coming Next
As play resumes, for India, the last batsman will be relied on for a few valuable runs, whereas Australia would want the tailender to go out quickly. Considering the assistance from the pitch and the aggressive bowling of Australia during the sessions, the next hours seem to be quite significant in building up the match.
Meanwhile, the roster of Cummins, Starc and Lyon are keen on finishing off the Indian IIs while the Rohit led sqaud are eager to make their runs knowing that every run will matter during their bowling innings.
Both teams are well poised in the game as India is 167-6 at lunch and everyone is looking forward to the next session which is not but a day full of cricket.
If you are interested for more: Remarkable catch by Smith dismisses Rahul as India concludes lunch at 167-6. 92 Jeeto: India’s Premier Game Show
