The much-awaited first day of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series finale saw India make a bold statement against young Australian phenom Sam Konstas, at the famous Sydney Cricket Ground. In winning the toss, India were put out for just 185 runs, thanks to another stellar performance from Scott Boland, who secured his 50th Test wicket before the end of the day, cementing his reputation as a vital part of Australia’s bowling arsenal.
Aged just 19, Konstas took the lead by challenging Jasprit Bumrah from the first delivery, culminating in an intense exchange of words before play was halted. Australia ended the day at 1/9 after Usman Khawaja was bowled out for just two runs, leading to jubilant celebrations directed at non-striker Konstas. With Rohit Sharma out of the squad, India face a tough challenge as they prepare for an exciting second day.
Mark Waugh, former Australian number 4, commented that 200 runs would be a solid target given the difficult pitching conditions. “It’s incredibly difficult to score runs, and 200 could be considered a good score if conditions remain unchanged,” he said. Australia are just 15 runs away from Waugh’s benchmark as they prepare to build on their slim lead.
Boland received a warm welcome as he entered the Members Stand, having taken his 50th Test wicket by dismissing Nitish Kumar Reddy, completing an incredible day where he also took the wickets of Yashasvi Jaiswal, Virat Kohli and Rishabh Pant . His excellence in Sydney has now seen his average drop to an impressive seven, solidifying his status as a crucial player for the home side.
“He is well-liked here in Sydney, but his skill and consistency have earned him fans around the world,” noted Brett Lee, praising Boland’s ability to adapt under pressure. Despite Kohli’s diminished form, he remains a popular target for Boland, who is posting impressive numbers against the Indian star.
At the same time, the decision to do without Rohit Sharma has raised questions as the veteran player has had a rough patch averaging just 22.77 in Tests since last February. His absence was felt on the field as his replacements struggled at the start of the match, with some ill-advised shot choices increasing the pressure on the batting order.
First impressions weren’t great as KL Rahul quickly fell to Mitchell Starc, followed closely by Shubman Gill. These dismissals marked the start of a day where missed opportunities rivaled brilliant bowling, leaving India in a precarious position at the end of the first day.
Joel Wilson, the umpire, found himself at the center of controversy due to a disputed ‘no-out’ decision regarding Kohli, further fueling debates over umpiring standards in high-stakes matches. Wilson’s story had already attracted attention in previous clashes, and his latest call drew significant reaction from spectators and commentators.
Finally, a highlight of the day was seeing Beau Webster, who received his Baggy Green from Mark Waugh, bridging the generations of Australian cricket history. Despite the pressure, Webster excelled, taking crucial catches and effective bowling, showing his readiness to contribute to the national team.
With a gripping battle looming on the horizon for day two, India are desperate to get back into the game amid what promises to be a gripping Border-Gavaskar Trophy sequel.
