IND vs AUS, 1st Session: Khawaja stands tall amid scratchy play from Australia
Khawaja has reached the 50-run mark [Associated Press]
Australia spring a surprise when they included three spinners in their playing XI. As expected, the wicket was on the drier side and India were not so bothered, bowling first on this track, but Australia had a trick or a two up their sleeves.
Spinners were brought into the attack inside the six overs, and that was probably expected, given the nature of the surface.
Unlike the Nagpur Test, Usman Khawaja had a positive approach and was not afraid to take the attack to the Indian spinners.
After a one off blip in the first Test, Khawaja was back to his best, and went after R Ashwin. He used all the shots in his armoury - sweep, reverse sweep to counter the Indian spin threat. On the other hand, this was not your usual David Warner.
Experts in Australia have call for Warner's axing from the squad, and he played yet another vulnerable knock to justify that call. He looked scratchy right from the word go and survived a close lbw call as well.
Sixth stump line from Shami and the ball nipped back in. The umpire felt Warner has missed it, but there was a clear spike on the ultra-edge.
His anxious start continued when Siraj bowled a perfect bumper that struck Warner on the helmet.
Eventually his stay at the crease came to an end when Shami's round the wicket angle did the trick for India as Warner nicked one back to the keeper.
Marnus Labuschagne started on a positive note, and struck some glorious boundaries, but Ashwin magic did the trick for India and he copped a blow on the front pad. One brought the fall of another one as Smith departed in the same opener, giving a simple catch to KS Bharat behind the stumps.
Khawaja looked unfazed with the wickets falling around him and breached the fifty run-mark.
At the time of writing, Australia are 94 for 3, with Khawaja batting at 50, and Travis Head has just joined him in the middle.
Talking Points
- Warner with another low score: David Warner has looked vulnerable throughout the series, and his torrid time continued in the ongoing Test as well. He survived a close lbw shout, and also copped a blow on his helmet which rattled his confidence.
- Twin strike from Ashwin: Just when Australia started to accelerate, Ashwin showed his magic and his twin strikes changed the complexion of the session. He got rid of Labuschagne and Smith in the same over.
Expectations
Khawaja has loads of responsibility on his shoulders. With both Smith and Labuschagne back in the hut, he needs to carry the play for Australia. Expect the Indian spinners to get into their rhythm and more Ashwin-Jadeja magic in the second session.
Brief Score
Australia: 94-3 (25)
Usman Khawaja 50* (74), Marnus Labuschagne 18 (25);
R Ashwin 2-29 (10), Mohammad Shami 1-31 (6)
 "Anurag Dasgupta")
