IND Vs AUS, 1st Test : 5 reasons why Australia failed in first innings

The much-awaited four-match Test series between India and Australia finally kicked off on Thursday, February 9 at Vidharba Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. Australia opted to bat first after winning the toss.

However, the decision proved wrong as the hosts bowled out the Aussies for 177 in their first innings. In reply, India cruised to 77/1 to dominate Day 1 of the opening Test.

Here we will take a look at 5 reasons behind Australia’s failure in the first innings.

1. Australian Openers failed

David Warner (Source - Twitter)

Australia were looking to start their four-game Test series against India with a quality batting performance - and despite some major selection decisions, they failed to make it happen. Openers Usman Khawaja who was in brilliant form in their Australia’s home series recently, couldn’t do anything in the first innings against India.

Another left-hander and Australia’s most experienced batter, David Warner, who recently hit a double hundred against South Africa in a Test match, got out cheaply on just 1 run.

2. Brilliant start by Indian pacers

Mohammed Shami (Source - Twitter)

Indian fast bowlers for the first Test against Australia, Mohammed Shami and Mohammed Siraj bowled brilliantly in the first innings as they provided early breakthroughs at the beginning of the inning.

Mohammed Siraj came to bowl the 2^nd over of the innings and on the very first ball, he dismissed Khawaja while Shami in the next over bowled brilliantly and scattered Warner’s stumps.

3. Smith, Labuschagne failed to convert the start into a big score

Steve Smith (Source - Twitter)

The No.1 ranked batter Marnus Labuschagne and the no.2 ranked batter Steve Smith steadied the ship after a horrific start and stitched a beautiful 82-run stand together. Both were looking positive as they were playing pretty well against the spinners.

But Ravindra Jadeja broke the partnership and dismissed Labuschagne on 49. A few overs later, he also got rid of Smith with a beautiful delivery that sneaked into the batter and hit the stumps.

4. Irresponsible batting by the Middle-order

Alex Carey (Source - Twitter)

Australian management took a hard decision as they went with Matt Renshaw ahead of the no.4 ranked Test batter Travis Head. Renshaw got out on a golden duck. Wicketkeeper Alex Carey who was batting pretty well, got out while playing a reverse-sweep shot.

Peter Handscomb was keeping the one end safe but couldn’t hold long and got out after scoring 31 runs.

5. Ravindra Jadeja’s fifer

Ravindra Jadeja (Source - Twitter)

India all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja made a strong return to international cricket with a five-wicket haul. Jadeja first sent back the set batter Labuschagne and Renshaw of successive deliveries and then returned to bamboozle Smith.

The left-armer also picked up the wickets of Debutant Todd Murphy and Handscomb in the end. There were so many discussions about Ravindra Jadeja’s spot in the playing XI as allrounder Axar Patel is performing consistently in all formats.