India had a great day in the field on day one of the Boxing Day Test and had managed to dismiss the hosts for 195. India then came out to bat, scored 36 for 1.
In the absence of Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane took up the captaincy role and has done well so far. The match also saw the debut of Shubman Gill and Mohammad Siraj.
While the former is still at the crease, the latter impressed with the ball and had managed to pick two wickets. His first Test wicket was Marcus Labuschagne who was the highest scorer for Australia in the Test so far.
Talking about Siraj, Labushagne said that he was impressed with Siraj’s bowling.
“Certainly, we could have done better. We probably had three dismissals we did not probably need to,” Labuschagne, who scored 48 from 132 balls, said at a virtual press conference facilitated by official broadcasters Sony after the day’s play.
“They (Indians) were bowling straight and (we are) not getting many runs on the off-side. Bowlers come up with new ideas to stop scoring, built pressure as they did today. I faced 130 balls (or) something (like that). That is the challenge we face as a batting group and we love it.”
On his impression of debutant India pacer Mohammed Siraj, he said, “He is more of a swing bowler than a seam bowler. He is nearly six feet, swings away from lefties. He certainly has skills. We have to make sure we understand what they are trying to do and come back strong.”
He also added that the pitch had helped the bowlers more than usual.
“There was more seam and little bit more swing today which was something (that was) probably not seen usually at the MCG. We have to adapt and make sure that we score big in the second innings,” he concluded.
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