Perth: Stand-in skipper Jasprit Bumrah delivered a sensational performance on Day 1 of the first Test against Australia, helping India claw their way back into the game after a dismal batting effort earlier in the day. At tea, with India bowled out for a modest 150, Bumrah’s decision to bat first on a lively Perth pitch seemed questionable. However, his fiery bowling in the final session changed the narrative, leaving Australia reeling at 67/7 by stumps.
The day, which saw 17 wickets fall, ended with Australia trailing by 83 runs and teetering dangerously close to their lowest-ever total against India—83, recorded in 1981.
Bumrah’s Early Strikes
Bumrah’s spell began with the dismissal of debutant Nathan McSweeney, trapped lbw on review. He then removed Usman Khawaja, caught behind for eight, and followed it up with the prized scalp of Steve Smith, trapping him leg-before for a golden duck. Bumrah’s relentless accuracy and ability to extract movement from the seam-friendly surface proved too much for Australia’s top order.
Speaking about Bumrah’s impact, debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy, who top-scored for India with 41, remarked, “He’s been exceptional. The way he managed the spells and kept the pressure on was brilliant.”
Contributions from the Bowling Unit
Bumrah wasn’t alone in his heroics. Mohammed Siraj claimed the crucial wicket of Marnus Labuschagne, who struggled to a painstaking two off 52 balls after being dropped by Virat Kohli in the slips earlier. Harshit Rana, playing his first Test, showcased raw pace to clean bowl Travis Head, further compounding Australia’s troubles.
Bumrah added a fourth wicket just before stumps, inducing an edge from his Australian counterpart Pat Cummins. His disciplined leadership and bowling spearheaded India’s spirited comeback.
Challenges for the Stand-in Captain
Bumrah’s leadership came under the spotlight as he navigated a challenging situation. Regular captain Rohit Sharma was unavailable due to family commitments, while Shubman Gill’s hand injury and the decision to bench experienced spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin further complicated matters.
Despite the setbacks, Bumrah’s tactical clarity shone through. According to Reddy, the captain’s instructions to his bowlers were simple but effective: “Don’t try too hard to swing the ball. Just hit the deck and let the pitch do the work.”
India’s Batting Struggles
Earlier, India’s batting line-up faltered against Australia’s pace attack, with none of the top-order batters managing to settle. Reddy’s resilient 41 on debut and Rishabh Pant’s 37 were the only bright spots in an otherwise lackluster display.
What Lies Ahead
As Day 2 beckons, India will look to capitalize on their strong bowling performance and push for a significant lead. With Alex Carey and Mitchell Starc unbeaten at the crease, Australia will need a spirited fightback to avoid conceding an early advantage in the series.
The action in Perth promises more drama as the two cricketing giants continue their fierce rivalry in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
