IND vs AUS, 1st Test: Australian pace attack rips Indian top-order apart

Pujara and Sharma trying to give some respectability to the score, taking India past 50 in the 25th over with a lot of work still to be done

The Australian bowlers came up stronger, completely overpowering the Indians in the first session of the first day of the Adelaide Test. The pace trio jolted the Indian top-order and reduced the visitors to 56/4 before lunch. Cheteshwar Pujara was batting on 11 while Rohit Sharma, who made his comeback in whites after 10 months, remained unbeaten on 15.

India began the 1 Test on a highly disappointing note. After winning the toss, they opted to bat first but couldn’t count upon their decision. The opening duo – KL Rahul and Murali Vijay –failed to repeat the performance they exhibited in the tour game.

KL Rahul (2) looked out of sorts against their express pace and was unsurprisingly dismissed cheaply. He went for an extravagant drive in only the second over and was caught at third slip off Hazlewood.

What a start from the Aussies this morning!

Live coverage HERE: https://t.co/lTUqyqRMzW #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/F0fWlMTl6A

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 6, 2018

Murali Vijay (11) looked intent on getting a better start and he was watchful. On a couple occasions, he drove the ball to get the score moving but ultimately this led to his dismissal. In the seventh over, Vijay went for a cover drive against Starc and only ended up edging behind.

Given the conditions, Kohli then walked out to bat a lot earlier than anticipated. He looked a lot more confident, but an awe-inducing diving catch ended his short stay at the crease.

Usman Khawaja dove to his left and held a stunning one-handed catch at gully off Pat Cummins (1-12) as Kohli was sent back with India reeling at 19-3 in 11 overs.

Incredible from @Uz_Khawaja! #AUSvIND | @bet365_aus pic.twitter.com/eLgBLnQssM

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 6, 2018

Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane (13) then came together for the fourth wicket, trying to put on a semblance of a partnership. Together they faced 59 balls and put on 22 runs in a bid to keep the scoreboard ticking.

Rahane had some difficulty against Nathan Lyon (0-18) who came on to bowl immediately after the drinks' break. The batsman then stepped out to even hit Lyon for a six over long on in his second over.

What a start from the Aussies this morning!

Live coverage HERE: https://t.co/lTUqyqRMzW #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/F0fWlMTl6A

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 6, 2018

But this didn't work against the pacers, who pushed Indian batsmen back with their perfect length and induced drives thereafter. In the 21st over then, Rahane fell to Hazelwood, the fourth batsman out driving in this morning session, and was caught at second slip.

Pujara and Sharma then tried to give some respectability to the score, taking India past 50 in the 25th over with a lot of work still to be done