After a poor start, captain Virat Kohli's half-century and Cheteshwar Pujara and vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane's crucial innings helped India reach 233 for six on the first day of the first Test in Adelaide. This is the first day-night test between India and Australia. After winning the toss and deciding to bat first, India got off to a bad start and both the openers failed. However, later Pujara, Kohli and Rahane took over. At the end of the first day, Riddhiman Saha (9) and Ravichandran Ashwin (15) are in the game. Kohli played a superb innings of 74 runs. While Mitchell Starc was two wickets quick for Australia.
Openers flop, India's bad start
Captain Virat Kohli won the toss and elected to bat first. However, his decision proved to be wrong on the second ball of the match. Earth Shaw was bowled on the second ball. Mitchell Stark did not even allow him to open an account. Then his fellow openers Mayank Agarwal and Cheteshwar Pujara tried to handle the baji. However, just before the end of the first season, Pat Cummins had collected the pavilion for Mayank Agarwal. Mayank Agarwal scored 17 off 40 balls with the help of two boundaries. India lost both their openers by 32 runs which put the team under pressure.
Cheteshwar Pujara's wonderful batting
Cheteshwar Pujara and captain Virat Kohli's responsibilities increased after both openers were out. Cheteshwar Pujara batted patiently as expected. Pujara and Kohli's batting was a bit slow which also slowed down the run rate. But the pair brought India out of the pressure. After the dinner break, India suffered a major blow. Pujara was caught out by Nathan Lyon. This was the biggest success for Australia. Pujara faced 160 balls and played 43 innings with the help of two boundaries.
Captain Virat Kohli's half century
Together with Pujara, Kohli took charge of India. Pujara and Kohli had a crucial partnership of 68 runs. Pujara missed a half-century but Kohli completed his half-century. Kohli scored 74 off 180 balls with eight fours. However, he was unlucky and was run out. After Pujara's dismissal, Kohli and Upsuka's Ajinkya Rahane put on an 88-run partnership. Rahane batted relatively fast. Rahane scored 42 off 92 balls with three fours and a six. Hanuma Vihari was dismissed for 16.
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