India couldn’t really bag the driver’s seat on the opening day of the Test match at the Narendra Modi Stadium as Australia kept the Indian bowlers at bay despite slow scoring rate. Usman Khawaja found his stride just when it mattered the most and managed to smash a crucial century.
The Indian bowlers will have to toil their way back if they are to stage a turnaround of affairs, particularly when the WTC final spot comes knocking on the doors. However, things can change and time can still witness, India come back on a stronger note. With all said and done, Usman Khwaja was the lead act for Australia as he battered the Indian bowlers to various nook and crannies of the park.
Speaking to Dinesh Karthik, Usman Khawaja said, “It was a lot of emotion in that. I have been to India on two tours before this, and carried the drinks in eight Test matches. It was such a nice wicket; I just didn’t want to give my wicket away. It was a mental battle more than anything. You need to put your ego away. I’ve got no superstitions… just run through, stretch.”
For India, Mohammed Shami managed to bag a couple of wickets for the 65 runs that he conceded from his quota of 17 overs. Umesh Yadav who came in for Mohammed Siraj from the last game was not successful with the cherry in his hands. The spinners could only bag 2 wickets as Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin claimed a wicket each that saw India smiling barely on the opening day of the fixture.
Travis Head, Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne, Peter Handscomb couldn’t really add as much as they would have wanted but Khwaja was comfortable in keeping the momentum going and eventually found a much reliable partner in Cameron Green as he smashed 49 from just 64 balls.
