Boxing Day Test: Ajinkya Rahane Captainship, Bowler Show Pulls Australia Out By 195; India 36/1 in stumps on day 1 | Cricket news

MELBOURNE: Jasprit bumrahThe threat was equaled by Ravichandran Ashwin’s cunning as an inspired India led by Ajinkya rahane he shot Australia for a sub-par 195 to dominate the opening day of the second round here on Saturday.
SCOREKEEPER | HIGHLIGHT | CALENDAR
India then lost a Mayank Agarwal (0) out of shape to Mitchell Starc but debutant Shubman gill (28 batting) survived a hostile spell to hit some delicious limits in the final score of the day of 36-for-1 in 11 overs.
He was accompanied by the experienced Cheteshwar Pujara (7 batting).
As much as the day belonged to the India bowling unit for another fiery show, new captain Rahane deserved equal credit for ordering his resources to perfection during Australia’s 72.3 overs.

Bumrah (4/56 in 16 overs) and Ashwin (3/35 in 24 overs) were the stars but debuted Mohammed siraj (2/40 in 15 overs) also did his part to repay the faith shown in him with windows of Marnus Labuschagne (48) and Cameron Green (12) with the old ball.

AFP photo.
However, the Test series looks more and more like Ashwin’s paradise, as he once again became the best hitter in the opposition. Steve Smith (0) seems normal, taking advantage of the spin and bounce offered on the first day of the MCG track.

For Bumrah, business was business as usual as he hit the bat and made those gains just when it mattered in a field that had retained moisture. As it turned out, Rahane didn’t miss a bad pitch.
The Indian team seemed much more galvanized despite not having the usual employer Virat Kohli, who is on paternity leave. Some excellent shots were taken and the intent was much more visible.
Rahane’s first punt was to introduce Ashwin in the first hour of play after Bumrah had forced Joe Burns (0) to hit Rishabh Pant one.

Ashwin, who varied the pace of his deliveries smartly, immediately got a turn and a rebound when he had Matthew Wade go down the track and dodge one for India’s best outfielder, Ravindra Jadeja, to take a well-judged catch running towards behind.

After throwing one that jumped and spun past Smith and Pant, Ashwin held the next one a little straighter and Cheteshwar Pujara looked down the ravine of the legs.

All this time, Bumrah was hitting the bat with his other hand.
Interestingly, Rahane did not give the rookie a single before the lunch break, as he knew that Siraj’s strength is generating rhythm and movement with old and semi-new ball.
Siraj initially pitched a bit short at Labuschagne and Travis Head (38 of 92 balls) as they added 86 runs for the fourth wicket.

It was Bumrah who provided the post-lunch breakthrough with a delivery that kept his line and the thick edge of the southpaw was taken by Rahane in ravine.
Siraj’s maiden wicket was lucky as the ball slid down the side of the leg that Labuschagne attempted to whip, but Gill, located on the square leg back, broke it inches off the ground.
Hyderabad’s second pacemaker wicket was a much fuller ball with a touch of inward motion that caught Green up front.

AP Photo.
Captain Tim Paine (13) was unable to guide a rescue act like Adelaide, as a classic off-break saw him guide one straight into Hanuma Vihari’s hands with his square leg pulled back.
Bumrah didn’t take long after that as he and Ravindra Jadeja (1/15) polished the tail in a jiffy.
During the last hour of the day, Gill showed what the Indian cricket can expect of him in the new decade. He undid the positive intention and some glitzy hits that would certainly leave fans craving for more in the days to come.
A Pat Cummins outing, a punch through the covers, and a Starc movie were thrilling.
The Nathan Lyon cover had the class written all over it.
India remains 0-1 in the series after dropping eight wickets in the opening day-night event in Adelaide. The visitors were fired for their lowest test score of 36 during that game.