The Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024/25 has already started and the first day of the series has been a riveting one in Perth. India’s stand-in captain, Jasprit Bumrah, in the absence of Rohit Sharma, won the toss and elected to bat first on a green and fast wicket at the Optus Stadium in Perth. India fielded two debutants in the form of Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy. The Indian team was bowled out for just 150 in their first innings.
The trio of Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins along with Mitchell Marsh wreaked havoc on the Indian batting order on the fast and bouncy pitch of the Optus Stadium which offered extensive lateral movement. Rishabh Pant with a 37 runs innings and Nitish Kumar Reddy with a 41 runs innings provided the impetus to India to reach 150. KL Rahul also chipped in with 26 runs.
In reply, the Indian bowlers led by Bumrah came storming back. At the end of day 1, Australia are 67/7. Bumrah picked up four wickets, Mohammed Siraj picked up two wickets and Harshit Rana scalped one wicket.
Marnus Labuschagne scored just two runs in 52 deliveries
Meanwhile, Marnus Labuschagne played the slowest-ever knock by an Australian in Tests. He took 52 balls to score two runs before he was dismissed by Mohammed Siraj. His strike-rate for the innings was just 3.85. He was dropped on zero by Kohli off Bumrah. However, Siraj finally trapped him in front of the stumps. The record had previously been held by Steve O’Keefe, who registered a strike-rate of 4.08 against Sri Lanka in Pallekele in 2016 while trying to save the Test match on the final day. He scored four runs off 98 deliveries.
India still have a lead of 83 runs and they will look to dismiss the remaining three wickets quickly on Day 2 to get a good hold on the game. The first innings lead will be crucial given that the pitch will only get difficult to bat on. It sets up for a riveting Day 2 at the Optus Stadium in Perth.
