New Delhi: A cracker of pace attack by Mohammed Shami and Siraj restricted the Australian batting line-up to 188. The pacers picked three wickets each while Ravindra Jadeja picked two. Mitchell Marsh played a quick inning of 81 off 65, hitting 10 fours and 5 sixes at the Wankhede, while no other batter could contribute much.
The grass in the pitch assisted the pacers and while Marsh was able to attack, it will not be really easy to bat here. Siraj and his love affair with the new ball continued as he dismissed Travis Head in the second over. It was India’s comeback after Marsh and Steve Smith laid a partnership, which laid the stage for a few more small stands.
Edged and taken!@hardikpandya7 strikes and how good was that grab behind the stumps from @klrahul ?
Steve Smith departs.
Watch his dismissal here ??#INDvAUS @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/yss3sj4N4z
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 17, 2023
Hardik Pandya broke the 72-run stand between Marsh and Smith as KL Rahul took a diving catch to dismiss the Australian captain for 22(30). Marsh led a fierce attack after Smith’s wicket before Jadeja bowled a wide line and the batter handed a catch at the short third.
With a batting depth, Marnus Labuschagne and Josh Inglis tried to consolidate, but Mohammed Shami returning for his second spell was magical. After Kuldeep Yadav sent Labuschagne back for 15 as Jadeja took a brilliant catch, it was all Shami show. He bowled Inglis and Cameroon Green with some seam movement and Shubman Gill took a fine catch to get Marcus Stoinis out. With three quick wickets, the Australian batting line-up, which looked deep, stood shattered.
After a few maiden overs, Siraj ended the affairs with Sean Abbott and Adam Zampa’s wickets.
While it is not a big target, the Indian batter will need to settle and face a few balls before changing gears. Australia has a quality pace attack in Mitchell Starc, Abbott and Cameron Green, and Starc will look for some movement and wickets initially.
India played Ishan Kishan as their opener with Shubman Gill in Rohit Sharma’s absence. On the other hand, Marsh came in place of David Warner, who has not fully recovered and Inglis replaced Alex Carey as he is sick.
