IND vs AUS: 4th Test – Day 1, Talking Points

The hype around the fourth and final Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy had been high because of the intensity of the clash. India had been just one step away from the World Test Championship final berth, but by winning the third Test, Australia clinched the first of the two spots. With high aims, India and Australia squared off at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Ahmedabad.

The day started with Australia winning the toss and electing to bat first. Looking at how the first three games of the series ended within three days of play, fans were expecting Ahmedabad to produce a good field to see a competitive game of Test cricket, and that is what exactly happened. Both batters and bowlers were aided well on the surface as the game moved on.

Australia got off to a fiery start and openers Travis Head and Usman Khawaja formed a 61-run partnership before the former was dismissed by Ravichandran Ashwin. Marnus Labuschagne’s struggle continued as Mohammed Shami was quick in sending him back to the pavilion. Though India managed to pick up two wickets in the first session, the visitors were dominant in the second session.

The 79-run partnership, in 248 deliveries, between Khawaja and Steve Smith proved to be very crucial for Australia. After Smith’s dismissal in the final session off Ravindra Jadeja’s delivery, Peter Handscomb’s time on the crease was shortened by Shami. But courtesy of Khawaja’s ton (104* off 251) and Cameron Green’s composed game, Australia managed to finish Day 1 at 255/4 in 90 overs.

Usman Khawaja leads the charge

The Australian opener, who struggled in the opening Test, put up solid performances in the previous Test in Indore and carried the same momentum in the fourth Test. He formed crucial partnerships with Travis Head, Steve Smith, and Cameron Green and batted the entire day, eventually getting to his 14th Test century in the final over of Day 1. He also became just the second opening batter from Australia, after David Warner, to hit a century against India in the format.

Steve Smith’s half-century drought continues

Though Steve Smith batted throughout the second session on the first day, it was Usman Khawaja who dominated the show. Smith attained an unwanted record as this was the first time in the history of his Test career that he went without scoring a half-century for six straight innings. He managed to score 35 runs in the 138 deliveries that he faced before falling prey to Jadeja.

Indian bowlers keep things tight on a flat pitch

Though the Indian bowlers went wicketless in the second session, the first session saw Ashwin handing India the first breakthrough and Shami joining the celebrations by dismissing Labuschagne. After Tea, Indian bowlers found the rhythm again and managed to dismiss two batters as Ahmedabad provided a level playing field for both sides.