IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 1 Tea: India bounce back to reduce Australia to 145/3

The hosts added 79 runs more to their 1st session score, amassing a total of 145 on the board. At the tea break, Shaun Marsh was batting on 8 and was accompanied with Peter Handscomb (4)

After remaining wicketless in the first session, the Indian bowlers perfectly fought back by sending the top three Australian batters back to the dressing room before tea. The hosts added 79 runs more to their 1^st session score, amassing a total of 145 on the board. At the tea break, Shaun Marsh was batting on 8 and was accompanied with Peter Handscomb (4).

Continuing their sublime batting, the opening duo of Aaron Finch and Marcus Harris brought up their respective half-centuries. First was Harris, who slammed his maiden Test fifty off 90 balls in the 30^th over and then it was Finch who justified his position in the team with the 2^nd half-century of his Test career.

Crunched! That's all class from Marcus Harris on his way to a maiden Test fifty! #AUSvIND | @MastercardAU pic.twitter.com/vzdn9Cu6N2

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 14, 2018

The duo had just got a 100-run stand for the opening wicket and Bumrah got the much-needed breakthrough. The pacer drew the first blood in the 36^th over and dismissed Aaron Finch moments after his fifty.

Jasprit Bumrah has bowled superbly so far in #PerthTest. No doubt he was gonna get a wicket with his accuracy. Got Finch after his well-toiled 50. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/x1Akkbt0A7

— Deepak Raj Verma (@drv05dt18) December 14, 2018

10 overs later, Umesh Yadav took the first Test wicket on Australian soil in 2018. A short and wider ball did the perfectly to remove Usman Khawaja on 5. Once again the Australian batsman failed to put a decent batting show while the hosts were reduced to 130/2.

Usman Khawaja slashes, edges, and Pant collects - Umesh reaps the rewards after an excellent Bumrah spell. #PerthTest #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/FwfsEbD8BG

— Deepak Raj Verma (@drv05dt18) December 14, 2018

These two blows pushed the Aussies to the backfoot and their struggle against the pace attack was clearly visible.

Making a healthy contribution to it, Hanuma Vihari appeared to be a surprise package who got rid of the dangerman Harris who was gradually inching towards his maiden ton amid the fall of wickets. After getting hit for 2 consecutive boundaries in his first over,  Vihari came back strong and bamboozled youngster Harris with an extra bounce.

The ball popped up off Harris’ glove and Rahane took a simple catch at the slip.

That's done a bit!

Watch live via Kayo here: https://t.co/mzWOwn19la #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/osacWodOwl

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 14, 2018

At the break, Shaun Marsh (8*) and Peter Handscomb (4*) were at the crease.

Earlier, Australia posted 66/0 in their first innings at lunch on the opening day of the second cricket Test against India here on Friday. Openers Aaron Finch and Marcus Harris were batting on 28 and 36, respectively, at the break.

Australian captain Tim Paine saw his decision to bat first upon winning the toss being vindicated as the opening pair batted comfortably throughout the session.

Forced to go in with an all-pace attack due to a minor injury to star off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, the Indian bowlers seemed a bit jaded after their exertions in the last match.

Both Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Shami were down on pace and struggled at times to maintain line and length.

Brief scores:

Australia: 145/3 (Marcus Harris 70, Aaron Finch 50) vs India.