The much-awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy series between India and Australia got underway on Thursday in Nagpur, where India took the upper hand.
Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss and elected to bat first, but his batters failed to vindicate his decision as the visitors were bowled out for 177 with Ravindra Jadeja taking his 11th Test five-wicket haul, including wickets of Smith and Labuschagne, on his comeback to international cricket after a lengthy injury-forced layoff of 5 months.
After tumbling Australia for 177, India needed a solid, assured, composed start from their openers on the pitch that was starting to break down with the ball staying low and there were mini explosions right from the first session. That is what India got from captain Rohit Sharma and vice-captain KL Rahul with the skipper bringing up a half-century.
Starting India’s innings with 3 consecutive boundaries off Cummins, Rohit Sharma went on the attack and notched up his fifty off 66 balls while KL Rahul batted cautiously and only attacked the bad balls.
Ravi Shastri reminded Mark Waugh of his 4-0 prediction in the 2020/21 series
When India started their innings, a banter took place between former cricketers Ravi Shastri and Mark Waugh in the commentary box. While discussing Australia’s possibility of making a comeback in this Test after being bowled out for less than 200, Ravi Shastri brought up that Mark Waugh had predicted India will lose 4-0 after they were bowled out for 36 in the Adelaide Test in the 2020/21 series.
Shastri told Waugh on air: “I remember one prediction from Mark, India will lose 4-0 when we got all out for 36.”
Waugh had a sheepish smile and replied: “I am not the only one who predicted that (smile)”.
Ravi Shastri was the head coach of Team India during their historic 2020/21 series win in Australia. After losing the Adelaide Test, India, under Rahane won in Melbourne, drew in Sydney, and won in Gabba, breaching the fortress.
