India Tour of Australia - 1st Test Match, Adelaide, Day 1 Review

1st day.. Down Under!  Emotions, Nerves and what not.. The Warner Show at Adelaide..

 Yet another test for the Indian cricket team down under & yet another attempt to shed away the poor run of form abroad; India's tour to Australia has come at a time when Indian cricket is in a climb-up phase. There is a huge crescendo that builds up during the tour every time India visits, but the unfortunate circumstances in the past few days has meant that the series has been clouded by emotions and trauma. By now, the first test would have been over and someone would have been leading the series (as per the original schedule) but as it stands, there are two teams fighting for the bragging rights with respect and camaraderie.
  With Captain Michael Clarke fit and the opposition skipper unfit, it meant that Virat Kohli would lead India for the first time ever. After opting to bat after winning the toss, Clarke's men were up and running with a quick fire 50 runs opening partnership, courtesy David Warner. The innings was structured like a two-wheeler wherein David Warner was in the driving seat and Chris Rogers was happy to sit back and let his teammate express himself. To their dismay though, Rogers was dismissed to a Ishant Sharma delivery which jagged away from the left hander and Shikhar Dhawan taking a comfortable catch. In came Watson & out he went with Varun Aaron dismissing him in a similar fashion as that of his teammate. The onus was now on Warner and Clarke and Oh boy, didn't they deliver! 

David Warner remembering Phil Hughes after scoring a century 


That emotional moment when Warner reached 63* and with those shiny eyes he remembered his little mate up there, followed by a hug from his captain who was at the other end sulking with a lump in his throat.. Quite an emotional outburst! Meanwhile, Warner batted all guns blazing to reach his hundred & Clarke in his usual nonchalant manner, was ticking the scoreboard over.

With Australia 206/2, Michael Clarke was on the ground with his lower back pain; he soon left the field 60* and gave an opening to the Indians which they hoped for though not in this manner. Warner perished in the quest for quick runs but the damage was already inflicted with his brilliant innings of 145 at a strike rate close to 90. Steve Smith & Mitchell Marsh steadied the ship for the Aussies before Marsh got out to a speedy Aaron delivery that took off from a good length spot only to edge the ball to Kohli's safe hands. India was on a late surge with the second new ball by then and quickly dismissed the Night-watchman Nathan Lyon and the keeper Haddin who were both, victims of Mohammad Shami's accuracy. 
 There was another Phil Hughes moment with Steve Smith pointing at his sleeve which had a black band with "PH" written over it and the fact that number 63* had taken away so much out of the Aussies, was once again realized. Australia at the close of play on Day 1 were 354/6 with a secret mark of uncertainty written all over Clarke's further involvement. India can be satisfied with their performance considering the fact that they lost the toss and were put in on a flat docile pitch with very little assistance for a breed in cricket also called as "bowlers". It was a day where Captain Kohli improvised, expressed and was inspirational enough to motivate his fast bowlers. India's ground fielding was exuberant and the much lacked slip catching on England tour had significantly improved. 
 For India to keep fighting in the test match, they would need to bundle out the Aussies below 450 and exhibit a good batting display themselves. The pitch is tailor made for a run feast and is expected to slow down, it being a drop-in pitch straight out of the mould. If the two teams end up scoring almost the same amount of runs in their first innings, it is rather obvious that the 1st test match will end in a draw unless there are a few last moment collapses. You never know with cricket, don't you? Key for India: Get Australia all out for less than 450 in the 1st session on Day 2..

(Photo courtesy: ESPNcricinfo)

Day 2 review will be posted after 4 pm tomorrow..Stay updated.. See you then..