India started the first Test on a high note, putting themselves in a strong position. At the end of the first day, they stood at 77/1 in reply to Australia's 177. Rohit Sharma led from the front with an unbeaten 56, while Ravichandran Ashwin remained at the crease as the nightwatchman without scoring. The day was defined by Ravindra Jadeja's impressive return to the international scene, where he tore through the lineup to secure his 11th Test five-wicket haul.
India produced a brilliant performance to take an early command in the first Test. At the end of Day 1, India posted 77/1 in response to Australia’s 177. India skipper Rohit Sharma remained unbeaten on 56 while nightwatchman Ravichandran Ashwin is yet to get off the mark. Earlier, Ravindra Jadeja announced his international return with an excellent spin bowling performance, recording his 11th Test fifer.
The game began on a dry, dusty pitch where Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami made quick work of the Australian openers, sending Usman Khawaja and David Warner back to the pavilion for 1 run apiece. Shami's delivery to dismiss Warner was a sheer piece of bowling art. Following the early collapse, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith managed to steady the innings with a solid 82-run stand.
The momentum swung back to India when Jadeja produced a brilliant spell, taking two wickets in two balls. He outfoxed Labuschagne (49) with a delivery that spun away, allowing KS Bharat to snap up the catch and whip off the bails in one fluid motion. He followed this up immediately by bowling Steve Smith for 37.
Australia tried to regain the upper hand through a counter-offensive by Alex Carey and Peter Handscomb. However, Ravichandran Ashwin halted their progress by dismissing Carey for 36, a wicket that represented his 450th in Test cricket. From there, the two spinners dominated the lower order to wrap up the innings swiftly.
India's reply began aggressively, with Rohit Sharma taking on Pat Cummins by smashing three boundaries in the very first over. While Rohit played freely and attacked the bowlers, KL Rahul played a more cautious role. Unfortunately for India, Rahul (20) fell to Todd Murphy in the second-to-last over of the day, marking Murphy's first international wicket. India currently trails by 100 runs.