Australia vs India : Rain Halts India’s Momentum as Australia’s Openers Make Steady Start
The much-anticipated Brisbane Test between India and Australia kicked off amidst overcast skies and persistent rain interruptions, which allowed for just 13.2 overs of play in the opening session. Despite the weather disruptions, Australia’s openers, Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney, showcased grit and composure, ensuring their side went unscathed to 28/0 by the time lunch was called.
India Backs Bowlers After Winning the Toss
India, coming off two consecutive wins in the toss, continued their streak in Brisbane. This time, captain Rohit Sharma opted to bowl first, banking on the overcast conditions to give his pace attack an edge. India made two key changes to their XI from Adelaide, bringing in all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja and debutant pacer Akash Deep.
Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj opened India’s bowling efforts on a Gabba surface sporting a hint of grass. However, the anticipated swing and seam movement were conspicuously absent. Both bowlers initially struggled to find the right lengths, offering Khawaja and McSweeney opportunities to settle in.
Khawaja Finds His Groove
Usman Khawaja, in particular, appeared in fine touch, capitalizing on any loose deliveries. The experienced opener showed confidence against the Indian pace duo, punishing short and straight balls with ease. Although Bumrah managed to beat Khawaja’s bat a couple of times, his overall accuracy left much to be desired. Surprisingly, only one of the first 33 deliveries bowled by India was projected to hit the stumps, reflecting a lack of early pressure.
Adding to the intrigue, Bumrah’s first spell of six overs saw him bowl only three deliveries to Nathan McSweeney, a curious tactical choice that allowed the young Australian opener to settle in without much challenge.
Debutant Akash Deep Makes a Promising Start
Following the first rain interruption, debutant Akash Deep was introduced into the attack. The young pacer impressed with his energetic start, hitting good areas and troubling the batsmen with his pace and bounce. His enthusiasm injected some momentum into the Indian bowling effort.
However, just as India began finding their rhythm, a torrential downpour forced the players off the field for a second time, bringing the session to a premature end.
Rain Shapes Day 1’s Narrative
With only 13.2 overs bowled in the first session, the stop-start nature of the game has already frustrated players and fans alike. For Australia, the positive takeaway has been the unbroken partnership between Khawaja (19*) and McSweeney (7*), which has laid a solid foundation. Meanwhile, India’s bowlers will look to regroup during the break and come back with a more disciplined approach.
As the match progresses, much will depend on how India adapts to the Gabba conditions and whether their bowlers can exploit any assistance from the surface. For now, though, rain remains the dominant force in this intriguing contest.
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