India vs Australia : Bangalore Test, Day 1

The 1^st day of Bengaluru Test between India and Australia ended in a rather unexpected way, when the men in blue bundled out for 189. In reply, the visitors were 40/0 after 16 overs at stumps. The Australians were impressive at the ground from the beginning.

It was Steve O’Keefe in the first game and it’s the senior spinner Nathan Lyon in Bengaluru who restricted the host team to a paltry 189 on Day 1 of the second Test. KL Rahul was the only saving grace for the hosts who fell short of his century by just 10 runs. In reply, Australia accumulated 40 runs without any loss at stumps with David Warner batting on 23 and Matt Renshaw not out on 15.

Australian team was bubbling with confidence, from their earlier win over India in Pune. On a pitch that would normally be ideal to bat in the first two days, India, opting to bat first, were bundled out for 189. Credit must be given where it is due and Australian bowlers should take that. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood did not allow India batsmen to settle during the opening burst and then Nathan Lyon and Steve O’Keefe bowled with such impeccable plan that it belied belief that this was the same Indian batting line-up that dominated their oppositions before the start of the series. Lyon claimed a career-best 8 for 50, rivalling his fellow spinner Steve O’Keefe’s first Test heroics and became the star performer of the day.

On the other hand Indians were clearly seen to be struggling with the bat in the middle. They are a long way behind, not just in this game but also in the series. They have lacked the intensity to strike back when pushed into a corner. With this tomorrow sets out to be an important day for the Indian team, when the bowlers need to pull up their socks and restrict the visitors.