Border Gavaskar Vodaphone Series 
Brilliant Bowling and Improved Fielding Led India Winning Day One
Brief Scorecard at Stumps Day One:
Australia 1st Innings 195 All Out in 72.3 Overs (Marnus Labuchagne 48, Travis Head 38, Matthew Wade 30, Nathan Lyon 20, Jasprit Bumrah 4/56, Ravichandran Ashwin 3/35, Mohammed Siraj 2/40) 
India 1st Innings 36/1 in 11 Overs ( Shuvman Gill 28* , M Starc 1/14) 

Boxing day MCG test between Australia and India could draw capacity 94000 cricket admirers had it not been bio security protocol restriction. Yet 30000 cheering fans returning to MCG after 293 days enjoyed cricket to their hearts content. 

Brilliant bowling, excellent fielding and above all smarter marshaling of resources by Stand In Indian captain Ajinka Rahane saw the tourists bouncing back out of the ruins of Adelaide test. India proved its great cricket character having as many as four changes including two debutants. On the drop in MCG pitch having pace, bounce and turn Bumrah (4/94), Ashwin (3/35) and even debutant Siraj (2/40) made life extremely challenging. Australia could reach 195 in 73.2 riding on painstaking 48 by Labuchagne, and 38 from Travis head. On such a wicket Bumrah and Ashwin are expected to deliver and they lived up to the billing. Even debutant Siraj looked very impressive. Australian pacers teased Indian top order in 11 overs pricing out Maynak Agarwall for nothing. There were few playing and missing by Pujara and debutant Gill. However, Gill played some impressive strokes in between. India finished the day at 36/1. The wicket is lively, ball is still new. The first session on day two may turn out as series defining. If India can survive with minimum damage, they have reasonable chance of staying in the test with two quality spinners putting pressure on the home side. 

The home team appeared with unchanged side. India brought as many as four changes. Shuvman Gill and Mohammad Siraj made debut, Rishav Pant and Ravindra Jadeja were brought into the team. Rahane had to take over the mantle of the leadership as Virat returned home for staying beside his wife expecting the first child. 

Australia won the toss and elected to bat. The issues of Australian opening partnership continued as unlucky Joe Burns again failed exploiting his opportunity. Matthew Wade rode his luck for a while. Smith was fooled by willy Ashwin. At 38/3 by the 15th Over India was in total command. All Indian bowlers skillfully exploiting the life of MCG wicket continuously teased and tormented Australian batting. In the context of the situation Labuchagne and Travis Head 86 runs for the 4th wicket partnership may prove decisive contribution. But as soon as Travis Head fell to Bumrah and debutant Siraj brought into the attack a bit late got rid of stubborn Labuchagne Australia lost wickets at regular interval. Siraj looked very impressive with his pace and direction. Green, Pain and the rest tried their level best. But Indian attack proved too good. Bumrah (4/56) and Ashwin (3/35) looked too hot to handle. Even Siraj looked menacing in little opportunities he got taking 2/40. 

However, 195 in matters of a first innings may not sound big. But given the state of the wicket and quality of Australian attack it will require India batting out of their skin to take control of the match. 

In 11 overs that Australians bowled Starc, Cummins, and Hazelwood looked penetrative. Agarwall was blown out. However, debutant Gill looked nerveless. India finished at 36/1. 

It was great finding crowd at MCG after 9 months. Usually in a contest of two top dogs MCG would have been full to the brim and 75% of the crowd could be Indians. But COVID restrictions kept it to 30,000. Those who were lucky witnessed a fascinating context. It was great watching India rebounding from the ruins. High quality bowling and dogged defending. Hopefully day two would also witness similar contest.

BDST: 1606 HRS, DEC 26, 2020
SMS