New Delhi (Nilesh Tiwari): On the opening day of the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground, India, led by Rohit Sharma, managed to control Australia to 311 for 6 at stumps. With some breathtaking strokes, Australia’s debutant Sam Konstas (60) attacked with a thrilling half-century.
After opting to bat, Australia had a great start when the debutant was taken by Ravindra Jadeja in the 20th over as Usman Khawaja and Sam Konstas were looking to build a great partnership for the second wicket with 89 runs. Steve Smith (68 not out), Marnus Labuschagne (72), and Usman Khawaja (57) made contributions with fifties on a good batting surface.
India’s Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers, picking 3/75, and with that he completed his 24 wickets in the ongoing five-Test match series against Australia. Up until lunch, the hosts were seen controlling the Indian bowlers. India however picked three wickets in 20 overs with the wicket of Travis Head, who had hammered two straight hundreds in his previous two matches in the current Test series. Bumrah picked that one. Marnus Labuschagne, looking fine on the field with a score of 72 off 145 was removed by Washington Sundar. Australia was in a better position during the first two sessions, but after the dismissal of Travis Head, the hosts could not make a partnership against Indian bowlers.
Australia Playing XI: Usman Khawaja, Sam Konstas, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey(w), Pat Cummins(c), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland
India Playing XI: Yashasvi Jaiswal, Rohit Sharma(c), KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(w), Ravindra Jadeja, Nitish Kumar Reddy, Washington Sundar, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj, Akash Deep
