Jasprit Bumrah's India faced a challenging Day 1 in the New Year's Test match in Sydney. Opting to bat first on a spicy Sydney Cricket Ground pitch, India was bowled out for just 185 runs. Key players like Virat Kohli, Shubman Gill, and KL Rahul failed to deliver, as Australian pacers took full advantage of the 7mm of grass left on the pitch. The green-tinged wicket, coupled with overcast conditions, provided ideal circumstances for Australia's bowling attack to dominate and take control of the final Test match of the series.
Late in the day, stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah brought some balance back into the contest. His crucial 37-run partnership with Prasidh Krishna and Mohammed Siraj gave India a glimmer of hope. Bumrah’s fiery two-over spell in the final minutes of the day added to the momentum. He managed to dismiss Usman Khawaja with the last ball of the day, providing India with a psychological edge. Bumrah’s aggression was evident, as he challenged the Australian openers and inspired his team with his intensity. The wicket of Khawaja revitalized India's spirits after a difficult day.
Drama began early in the day when Bumrah walked out for the toss instead of Rohit Sharma. Bumrah explained that Rohit had rested to allow India to field their best XI, a decision that sparked controversy and led to speculation about Rohit's form. India’s decision to bat first on the grassy SCG wicket was scrutinized. While the pitch is expected to deteriorate as the game progresses, the move backfired as the team struggled in the challenging conditions.
India persisted with two spinners despite the pitch’s grass cover, which turned out to be a poor tactical choice. The Indian batting lineup, already under pressure, faltered early. Two wickets fell within the first 10 overs, and despite a brief partnership between Kohli and Gill, the innings remained precarious. Sunil Gavaskar criticized the excessive grass on the SCG pitch, citing Justin Langer’s remarks about never having seen such conditions at the venue. Gavaskar highlighted the need for adaptability, contrasting it with frequent criticism of Indian pitches by international commentators.
Shubman Gill's dismissal further highlighted India’s struggles. A verbal exchange with Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne seemed to disrupt Gill’s focus, leading to his wicket in the next ball. Nathan Lyon’s sharp adjustment in length caught Gill off guard, resulting in an edge to Smith at slip. Gill’s inability to perform outside Asia remains a concern, as his average of 17.93 in 15 innings since 2022 underscores his inconsistency.
Virat Kohli’s dismissal added to India’s woes. Edging Scott Boland’s delivery outside off-stump, Kohli’s tendency to get out in this manner has been a recurring issue throughout the series. Despite surviving an initial scare with a contentious third-umpire decision, Kohli failed to capitalize, extending his lean patch. His performances in the series have been underwhelming, barring a lone century in Perth.
Rishabh Pant, known for his aggressive style, showed resilience by dropping anchor in challenging conditions. Taking multiple body blows, Pant attempted to stabilize the innings alongside Ravindra Jadeja. However, his counter-attacking instincts resurfaced, leading to Boland's dismissal of a rising delivery. Pant’s dismissal marked the end of a promising partnership, further derailing India’s innings.
Bumrah’s late contribution with the bat ensured India avoided an even worse total. Scoring a quick 22 runs off 17 balls, he added vital runs with the tail. While not enough to frustrate the Australian bowlers, it demonstrated Bumrah’s growing confidence with the bat.
Australia’s Scott Boland was the standout performer with the ball. Delivering an exceptional spell, Boland claimed four wickets, including those of Jaiswal, Kohli, Pant, and Nitish Reddy. His remarkable control and accuracy on a seaming wicket restricted India’s scoring opportunities. Boland’s figures of 20-8-31-4 showcased his impact, setting a strong foundation for Australia to dictate terms in the match.
As the Test progresses, India will hope to capitalize on the late breakthrough provided by Bumrah, while Australia looks to consolidate their early advantage. With rain predicted on the final day, both teams will aim to accelerate the game to avoid potential disruptions.
