The much-anticipated series between Australia and India lived up to expectations on day one of the first Test with the match evenly poised heading into day two. Follow the live scores and blog from 2:55pm (AEDT) here on The Roar.
Steve Smith proclaimed the Pune pitch “will take spin from ball one”, and the Australians had their worst fears confirmed as David Warner and Matt Renshaw were subjected to the spin of Ravichandran Ashwin in just the second over.
As the ball turned and bounced prodigiously on the crack-laden track, the home fans would have been forgiven for having a small chuckle while watching the plight of the visiting batsmen.
However, despite numerous deliveries coming perilously close to the outside edge of both openers, Renshaw and Warner played within themselves to put on an opening stand of 82.
Renshaw, in particular, played with great composure and discipline, becoming the youngest Australian to score a half-century in India.
Battling a stomach bug – which caused him to retire ill midway through his innings – as well as the Indian bowlers, Renshaw used his stature to good use, often coming forward to nullify the turn and bounce.
At the halfway mark of the opening day, with 119 runs on the board, two established batsmen at the crease, and just David Warner back in the dressing room, the Aussies would have felt good about their chances of posting a score in excess of 300.
But after both Shaun Marsh and skipper Smith gifted their wickets away, the Indian spin trio of Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Jayant Yadav took five wickets between them to hamper the Australian innings.
Naturally, with India boasting the two best spinners in the world – Ashwin and Jadeja are ranked one and two in Test cricket – most of the pre-series chatter was based around combating the tweakers.
Yet it was Umesh Yadav who was the pick of the bowlers.
Bowling in the mid-140s and getting the ball to reverse, Umesh showed why the paceman from both teams will still have a considerable impact on the series, ripping through the lower order to leave Australia reeling at 9-205.
Against the run of play, Mitchell Starc bludgeoned the spinners – the slog sweep his weapon of choice – on his way to a better than run- a-ball half century, his third against India.
Along with a stoic Josh Hazlewood, the last wicket partnership of 51 added invaluable runs to Australia’s total.
At 9-256, both teams would be relatively happy with the state of the match. A few more boundaries early from Starc could have Australia firmly in front when India eventually start their innings.
Rob
Guest
Lehman plays favourites and Smith has a long way to go with on field tactics and field positions. Marsh brothers are the selectors pets. How has SOK been behind Lyon in the selection process for so long? You didn't expect any of this from previous post I read.
Don Freo
Guest
You posted yesterday. Yesterday Renshaw batted at 5. You lead with your chin. Even SOK, himself, said his first 6 overs were poor. Listen to his interview. He bowled well after those first 6 overs (courtesy of Lehmann and Sri's coaching...once again, SOK's words). That doesn't mean Lyon bowled badly. He was excellent from start to finish and often brilliant. He was not "outbowled". I'm happy for them both to bowl like that all series. It's what Aussies do!
Rob
Guest
Are you serious? SOK out bowled Lyon. It's not the first time! Renshaw opened the bat and top scored. Which Marsh has done the job? Shaun has a duck of 16 balls and Mitch has helped India lose their reviews I suppose. If Mitch gets another 10 he will be a lock for the series. He's supper consistent at scoring his average of under 30.
Don Freo
Guest
Yes, as I said, it was his first spell that was ordinary. Lyon bowled beautifully. I am responding to Rob who said SOK "outbowled" Lyon. It never has to be one or the other. Figures just fell SOK's way. I just don't get cricket fans...SOK does well, criticize Lyon. Smith does well, criticize Marsh. After unfounded criticism of the leadership of Lehmann and Smith, the team dominates and there is no praise. Do these people barrack for Australia?
Darren L
Roar Rookie
I thought you'd be happy you seemed so sure Aussies would fail and are all crap I thought you must hoping for it.
Broken-hearted Toy
Guest
Oh I agree, the game is still well and truly live! But considering this is Australia in India, it's quite something to have them quite far in front this early in a test.
TheCunningLinguistic
Guest
Normally with you, Don, but your favouritism for Lyon over SOK blinds you, methinks. Lyon bowled well, better than I expected, but SOK (particularly his second spell) bowled beautifully! Credit where it's due... Hopefully Mitch can go on with it and silence the critics a bit tomorrow. I don't understand how people fail to see his potential, he won't even reach his peak for another 4-5 years!
TheCunningLinguistic
Guest
Don't ever do that again, Kev. You might miss some magic from your favourite player, MM...
dave
Guest
Never bet on cricket. I once had odds on a test in brisbane at 2 to 1 for draw.The weather reporters predicted torrential rain for at least 3 of the 5 days.Lucky i coulndnt help put money on aus win so i got my money back. So ya can't trust the weather and you have no idea if a team is going to throw a game. Never bet on cricket!
shubham sharma
Guest
that's cricket mate, that's why you never predict shamelessly like mcgrath or bhajii because you can be made to eat a humble pie. but i do believe game's not over, you know why because if everyone thinks india are out of it than again unpredictable things can happen
shubham sharma
Guest
i was shocked, i mean if it could have been out then also why waste a review on mitchel marsh
Don Freo
Guest
SOK did not out bowl Lyon. Lyon bowled brilliantly. SOK got good figures but bowled badly until he took 6 for 5 at the end. That is not to bag SOK...but the numbers do not reveal how difficult Lyon was to play. Lyon was the better bowler. Marsh has provided real grit when Smith needed someone to stay with him to put the match beyond India. He has done a great job. Renshaw did not open. To address one more thing you have got wrong, Lehmann and Smith have led this tour brilliantly. Smith's leadership with the bat today is as good as anything Allan Border has churned out.
Rob
Guest
Well 250 does look like a par score.The pitch is hard to bat on.People making prediction about India scoring 500 plus on that pitch? Renshaw is an opener who will be the rock of the Australian batting line up for a very long time. I think Renshaw plays spinners as well as anyone in the Australian first class system. SOK is out bowling Lyon again. That's what the FC records have been suggesting for a long time. Shane Warne can bowl a cricket ball but talks BS. M.Marsh was picked as a batsman and Maxwell is being screwed over because his first class average is far superior. India are not unbeatable and if you take your chances in the field you are always in the game.
Pedro the Maroon
Guest
Well we have to win this one first and then there's another 3 tests to come.
Red Kev
Roar Guru
Holy crap! I go out for the evening and miss this? Damn.
jamesb
Guest
Remember the Olympics where an unexpected Gold medal was won, e.g., Chloe Esposito in the modern pentathlon. Well it will feel unexpected if Australia wins a test in India. And they are in a great position to do it. And I read somewhere on Twitter, that only once has a team chased more then 300 to win in India.
Don Freo
Guest
I expected it. What will folk say about the selectors and Lehmann...and Smith...now? India just can't bat on the sub-continent. I don't mean that...I am just characterizing the attitude of so many Roarers when something doesn't go right.
Daniel Aitken
Guest
Thanks for your coverage mate. I enjoyed it!
Matth
Guest
O'Keefe was great, but also a shout out to Hazlewood and Starc, who broke through the top order and got Kohli,Pujara and Vijay. You would normally expect at least one of them to drag India through a difficult day like this.
jamesb
Guest
Yeah, I'm pretty shocked with what's happened today. SOK has turned the test and maybe the series, on its head.