On a day where Australia managed periods of counterattack, it was not enough to keep India's relentless attack at bay as they were bowled out for just 177 on the opening day of the 2023 Border-Gavaskar Trophy with RavindraJadeja bagging 5/47.
India, led by Rohit Sharma's 56* then further cemented their strong position by the end of the day. The Indian captain made use of a plethora of loose deliveries from his opposite number, Pat Cummins to start the innings with a string of boundaries. It allowed his partner KL Rahul to settle in as well. And the duo managed to keep that going even against the two offspinners. Rohit brought up his 15th Test fifty towards the end of the day, but Australia managed to hit back with Todd Murphy bagging a return catch of KL Rahul on 20, ending a 76-run opening stand.
Rohit, and the nightwatchman R Ashwin, saw off the rest of the deliveries as India finished in a strong position, and making sure Jadeja's efforts with the ball did not go to waste.
Earlier in the day, an 82-run stand between MarnusLabuschagne (49) and Steve Smith (37) kept India at bay over a large part of the first session before Jadeja stamped his presence on the field in his comeback game.
He first had Lauschagne overbalancing while trying to drive and had him stumped before trapping Matt Renshaw LBW first ball from round the wicket with the batter playing all over a ball turning in. Steve Smith briefly began to counterattack, hitting Axar Patel for three boundaries in an over but soon was swallowed by Jadeja who beat him on the inside edge with a straighter one to get him bowled.
