India started the Test series with a disappointing batting show. However, when they began their bowling attack, the Australians had no idea of what they are being served. Firstly, Ishant Sharma bamboozled Aaron Finch in the very third ball of the Australian innings and then Ashwin struck thrice to push the hosts to the back foot.
Ashwin began the destruction at the stroke of the tea with the dismissal of debut Australian opener Marcus Harris. Ashwin bowled a drifter and a simple catch from Murali Vijay at the silly mid-off, sent the young debutant packing after he scored 26 runs off 57 balls.
Right after the lunch break, Ashwin struck again and removed Shaun Marsh on 2. In the last ball of the 28th over, Ashwin bowled a floated half-volley delivery outside the off stump which tempted Marsh to go for a drive. The ball took an edge of his bat and removed the bails.
That wasn’t just the end. Before the tea break, Ashwin Usman Khawaja him through an off-break delivery and sent him back to the dressing room. The ball had kissed his gloves and was quickly grabbed by wicketkeeper Rishabh Pant.
The umpire didn’t look convinced by the appeal and hence, India had to take the review which ensured Khawaja’s dismissal. He ended up scoring 28 off 125 balls in the 40th over.
At the time of tea break, Australia scored 117 runs at a loss of 4 wickets and were trailing by 133 runs.