India were 250 for 9 at stumps on day one of the first Test against Australia on Thursday.
Here are the live-match updates:
# India 250/9 (87.5 overs)
# Stumps!
# Wicket! Pujara Run Out!! Cheteshwar Pujara has been dismissed after attempting a tough single, following an inch-perfect one-handed throw by Pat Cummins! India 250/9 (87.5 overs)
# Cheteshwar Pujara is going for his shots in the last few overs of the day, looking to score as many runs as possible. Mohammed Shami on the other end, is looking to target the bowlers as well. India 243/8 (87 overs)
What an innings from @cheteshwar1.
Brings up his 16th Test ton and also completes 5000 Test runs #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/XeVpBiosFH
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 6, 2018
# 100 for Cheteshwar Pujara who has been the standout performer for India! Pujara has combined aggression with dogged determination to lead the visitors on to a steady total which seemed improbable at one stage!
It’s been a brilliant knock from Cheteshwar Pujara in the Adelaide heat with wickets falling around him.#AUSvIND | @toyota_aus pic.twitter.com/py8KvHB86q
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 6, 2018
# Mohammed Shami is the new batsman on the crease!
# Wicket! Mitchell Starc strikes with an inch-perfect swinging delivery which Sharma in no position to negotiate the delivery. India 210/8 (82.4 overs)
# Pujara has looked to take singles at regular intervals, without indulging in any ambitious shots. Ishant Sharma, has ensured a mature performance at the other end, combining aggression with steady gameplay. India 206/7 (80 overs)
# India crosses 200 in the 78th over!
# Cheteshwar Pujara has achieved his highest score ever in Australia, following his unbeaten 75 in the ongoing clash.
# Ishant Sharma is the new man in!
# Wicket! Ashwin finally following a ripper by Pat Cummins who has been extremely impressive today for Australia. The batsman could not help but edge the ball to Peter Handscomb at slips, who makes no mistsakes. India 189/7 (74 overs)
# Ashwin has been an effective partner for Pujara, ensuring a mature performance at the other end, without going for the big shots. There is excellent communication between the two batsman as well, which is certainly evident on the field. India 184/6 (73 overs)
# Ashwin has been looking to adopt a defensive outlook so far, playing all his shots down the ground without taking any undue risks. Pujara, on the other hand, is looking to steadily accelerate whenever the opportunity arises. India 171/6 (67 overs)
# Pujara will be looking to stitch a partnership with Ravichandran Ashwin, who is the last recognised batsman in the Indian line-up. Ashwin will be looking to make his presence felt by ensuring an effective performance under pressure. India 152/6 (60 overs)
# 50 for Cheteshwar Pujara who has played an excellent knock so far!
# Match resumes!
# Tea-break!
# Cheteshwar Pujara and Ravichandran Ashwin are attempting to guide India to a reasonable total, despite facing a battle against the odds. The hosts will be looking to dismiss Pujara as soon as possible. India 140/6 (55 overs)
# Ravichandran Ashwin is the next batsman in!
# Wicket! Nathan Lyon has dismissed dangerman Rishabh Pant who seemed intent on taking the game away from the hosts with some big-hitting. Pant fails to effectively negotiate a quick delivery, resulting in a leading edge to wicketekeeper Tim Paine who makes no mistakes. India 127/6 (49.1 overs)
A beauty from Lyon JUST takes the edge! #CloseMatters#AUSvIND | @GilletteAU pic.twitter.com/gWsubzfxlg
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 6, 2018
# Pujara and Pant have gone about rebuilding the Indian innings in an effective fashion. They have indulged in aggressive cricket without taking any undue risks. India 127/5 (49 overs)
# Rishabh Pant has indicated a desire to go for his shots from the very first ball. Pujara, on the other hand, will be looking to hold up one end. India will be targetting a considerable total by adopting an aggressive outlook rather than risk being knocked out for a paltry total. India 114/5 (44 overs)
# 100 up for India in 40.2 overs!
# Rohit Sharma will be furious with himself after attempting a reckless shot, just when India seemed to be inching towards stability. Pujara has indicated monk-like patience so far and will be looking to develop a partnership with Rishabh Pant! India 88/5 (39 overs)
# Rishabh Pant is the new man in!
# Wicket! Rohit Sharma who seemed increasingly comfortable on the crease, has been dismissed by Nathan Lyon off a turning delivery which he failed to negotiate effectively, resulting in a catch to fielder Marcus Harris. India 86/5 (37.3 overs)
Six and out!
Live coverage HERE: https://t.co/lTUqyqRMzW #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/98tmbdwF4q
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 6, 2018
# Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara are looking increasingly comfortable against the Australian bowling attack, who have been as excellent as ever. The duo will be looking to ensure a steady partnership at this stage, setting the stage for a comeback. India 63/4 (32 overs)
Before his dismissal a short time ago, Rohit Sharma produced this glorious six over cover!#AUSvIND | @MastercardAU pic.twitter.com/DVj8SoPwPk
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 6, 2018
# Play resumes.
# Indian fans have severely criticised opener K.L Rahul who lasted just eight deliveries before handing a simple catch to Aaron Finch at third slip.
# India will be looking to examine the areas where they went wrong after being restricted to a score of 56/4 within 27 overs. The batsmen have been guilty of poor shot selection under pressure from the Australian bowling attack!
# India last batted first in the opening Test of a series at the Gabba in 1991/92. They were dismissed for just 239 and lost the five-match series 4-0.
# Play will resume after Lunch!
# Cummins has now dismissed Kohli twice in four balls in Test cricket!
# Rohit Sharma and Cheteshwar Pujara are looking to ensure risk free gameplay on a pitch which has been increasingly favouring the bowlers at every stage. A couple of wickets at this stage could very well spell doom for the India! India 50/4 (25 overs)
# Rohit Sharma is the next batsman in!
#Wicket! Rahane departs off a full, swinging delivery which was bowled wide by Josh Hazlewood, inducing a nick to Peter Handscomb at slips. India 41/4 (20.2 overs)
# Lyon is generating movement off the pitch with his subtle variations in line, length as well as in pace. Pat Cummins on the other hand is keeping the Indian batsmen on their toes with inch-perfect deliveries bowled at a steady pace. Rahane and Pujara are looking increasingly uncertain against the duo. India 40/3 (20 overs)
# Skipper Tim Paine has brought spinner Nathan Lyon into the attack, adding variation into the bowling and making it all the more difficult for the Indian batsmen. Rahane and Pujara need to negotitate the next few overs effectively if India are to make a comeback into the clash. India 30/3 (15 overs)
# Ajinkya Rahane is the new man in!
# Wicket! Australia has struck big with the prized wicket of Virat Kohli who seemed to be the only batsman comfortable on a tricky surface. Cummins deceives the Indian skipper with a swinging delivery which leaves him in no position but to hand a catch to Usman Khawaja. India 19/3 (10.3 overs)
Screamer! Here’s Usman Khawaja’s classic catch to dismiss Virat Kohli: https://t.co/W6ZnFNyp66 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/Ien75eKett
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 6, 2018
Incredible from @Uz_Khawaja! #AUSvIND | @bet365_aus pic.twitter.com/eLgBLnQssM
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 6, 2018
# India are looking increasingly uncertain against the pace and bounce extracted off the pitch by the pace bowlers. Kohli and Rahane need to ensure a steady partnership at this stage. India 19/2 (10 overs)
# Virat Kohli, walks in at No 4!
# Wicket! Mitchell Starc has accounted for Murali Vijay who attempts to go for an expansive drive off a swinging delivery, handing a simple catch to wicketkeeper Tim Paine. India 15/2 (7 overs)
# India are off to a cautious start in the first five overs, following the unexpected early dismissal of K.L Rahul. The Australian pace bowlers are in good form which will make the task all the more formidable! India 6/1 (5 overs)
# Cheteshwar Pujara is the man at No 3 for India!
# Wicket! Josh Hazlewood strikes for Australia with a perfectly seamed delivery which forces Rahul to go for a nudge, resulting in a simple catch to Aaron Finch at slip. India 3/1 (2 overs)
The first wicket of the Test summer! https://t.co/lTUqyqRMzW #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/qAIm6k6Uw0
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 6, 2018
# Indian openers Murali Vijay and K.L Rahul are all set to kick off the Indian innings!
Australia’s Big Three are ready to go! First ball less than 15 minutes away #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/TvVf0N4fAQ
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 5, 2018
# Lineups:
Australia XI: Marcus Harris, Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Travis Head, Tim Paine (c,wk), Pat Cummins, Mitch Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood #AUSvIND https://t.co/lTUqyqRMzW
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 5, 2018
India XI: KL Rahul, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Rishabh Pant (wk), Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, Ishant Sharma #AUSvIND https://t.co/lTUqyqRMzW
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 5, 2018
# Virat Kohli wins toss, opts to bat first!
India win the toss and elect to bat first #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/FAaGqKKV6M
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 5, 2018
Let’s do this Lads #TeamIndia #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/oqFUs8HjQ1
— BCCI (@BCCI) December 5, 2018
India will look to shed the poor travellers tag when they take on Australia at the Adelaide Oval in the first Test between the two nations.
The visitors will be looking to ensure a strong start in an increasingly crucial Test series, providing an opportunity to win a Test series Down Under for the first time in 70 years.
Having failed to emerge truimphant in the recent away series against South Africa and England, Kohli will be looking to send a message of intent with quality performances against Australia.
India have only managed to win five Tests out of a total 44 on Australian pitches, which is an indication of their struggle.
Kohli will be looking to ensure an aggressive outlook through thick and thin, in order to unsettle the opposition.
The presence of a quality pace attack in the form of Ishant Sharma, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah will certainly play a key role in this regard.
At the same time, the batting department will be looking to ensure quality support at the other end with the likes of Murali Vijay and Rohit Sharma in good form recently.
Here are the squads:
Teams: India (12): Virat Kohli (capt), KL Rahul, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (wk), R Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Shami.
Australia (playing eleven): Tim Paine (capt & wk), Marcus Harris, Aaron Finch, Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Josh Hazlewood.
Source: Zee News