After being pushed against the wall after a humiliating loss in the series opener, the Indian team rebounded and dominated the opening day of the Boxing Day Test at Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) on Saturday. Substitute captain Ajinkya Rahane lost the draw, but Indian bowlers were in song all day and restricted the hosts for 195 on one of the most batting-friendly lanes in Australia. While the bowlers deserve all the praise for their hard work, the Indian patron, who commanded his troops with great authority, deserves equal praise. Throughout the day, Rahane attacked with nearby outfielders and made some wise bowling changes that worked wonders for the team.
Former Indian starter Virender Sehwag was one of many who praised Rahane’s changes in reverence and “smart placements on the field.” On Twitter, Sehwag also praised the bowlers for a job well done on Day 1 and for giving India a solid start.
“Excellent bowling changes and really smart fielding placements from Rahane. And the players delivered. Ashwin, Bumrah, Siraj were absolutely brilliant. Big effort to get Australia out for 195 on day one. Now that the hitters get a good first inning. lead #AUSvIND, “Sehwag tweeted.
Exceptional bowling changes and really smart field placements from Rahane.
And the bowlers delivered. Ashwin, Bumrah, Siraj were absolutely brilliant. Great effort to get Australia out with 195 on the first day. Now for the hitters to get a good lead in the first inning #AUSvIND– Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag) December 26, 2020
VVS Laxman praised the “sensational” Indian bowlers and Rahane’s captaincy. Ignoring all the scars from their defeat in the first test, the Indian players played positive cricket throughout the day and Laxman was happy to see the players carrying no baggage from the Adelaide debacle.
“Excellent game days for India. Bowlers were sensational again, both rookies looked confident, Rahane captained the team really well, but more importantly they didn’t carry the baggage of Adelaide’s defeat. #INDvAUS”, Laxman wrote on Twitter.
Excellent game days for India. The bowlers were sensational again, both rookies looked confident, Rahane captained the team very well, but more importantly they did not carry the baggage of Adelaide’s defeat. #INDvAUS
– VVS Laxman (@ VVSLaxman281) December 26, 2020
Bowler great Shane Warne also praised Rahane for leading his team well in Virat Kohli’s absence. The ex-spinner also congratulated the MCG ground crew for putting together one of the best wickets on site for a long time.
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“What a great cricket day at MCG today! Congratulations to the ground crew for preparing the best wicket at MCG for a long time. More of these kinds of pitches please!
@ ajinkyarahane88! Can India hit all day? Warne tweeted.
What a great cricket day at the MCG today. Congratulations to the ground crew for preparing the best wicket at MCG for a long time. More of these types of plots please! The Indian bowlers were also outstanding and very well led by @ ajinkyarahane88 ! Can India hit all day?
– Shane Warne (@ShaneWarne) December 26, 2020
Jasprit Bumrah and Ravichandran Ashwin were the bowlers’ choice for the visitors when they returned with four and three wickets respectively. Mohammed Siraj also impressed on his test debut and came back with two wickets for all his hard work.
India finished Day 1 at 36/1, with Shubman Gill unbeaten at 28 and Cheteshwar Pujara hitting seven, trailing Australia by 159 runs.
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