In the opening Test match against Australia at the Optus Stadium in Perth, Indian captain Jasprit Bumrah assisted his team in staging an incredible comeback. After being bowled out for 150, India appeared to be out of the game, but Bumrah gave them a stunning revival with the ball. Taking out Nathan McSweeney, Usman Khawaja, Steve Smith, Alex Carey, and Pat Cummins, he shook the Australian top order with a fantastic bowling performance.
Bumrah's sensational display helped India gain a substantial 46-run lead in the first innings after the Aussies were knocked out for 104. If Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood had not stitched a crucial 25-run partnership that put Australia over the 100-run threshold, things would have gone worse for them. The lead is important because the conditions are difficult to bat in during the Test.
Jasprit Bumrah eyes massive milestone
If Rishabh Pant had caught Josh Hazlewood, Bumrah would have had his sixth run of the innings and could have reached a big milestone in the first innings itself. But in the second innings, Bumrah will have an opportunity to reach the milestone. To become the top wicket-taker in Test matches this year, the star bowler needs just one more wicket. With 46 wickets in 2024 Test matches, he is tied for the most with R Ashwin; a wicket in the second innings would put him at the top of the chart. In order to become the first player to take 50 Test wickets in 2024, Bumrah would need to take four or more wickets during the second innings.
India's lead was shortened by the lower-order defiance, but the damage was already done. The tone was established by Bumrah's clinical performance, which included taking Carey out on the first ball of the day. With strong assistance, Rana got rid of Lyon before Starc and Hazlewood put up a fight.
Now that the action has resumed following the lunch break, India is ahead. Watch this closely contested Test match for what looks to be an exciting second innings. At Perth's Optus Stadium, the much-awaited Border-Gavaskar Trophy got off to a spectacular start with 17 wickets lost on the first day. In anticipation of what is expected to be a historic low-scoring Test match between India and Australia, cricket fans were treated to an exciting display of action.
