India vs Australia Highlights, 1st Test at Adelaide Day 1, Full Cricket Score: Visitors end opening day at 233-6

India finish the day on 233/6 with Ashwin and Saha still batting. The day has belonged to Australia. India won the toss and opted to bat but lost Shaw in the first over. Mayank fought for a while but it was Kohli and Pujara who kept the brilliant Australian bowlers at the bay for a long period of time. The fortunes swung when Rahane messed up his call and gifted Australia the wicket of Kohli.

From there on Australian pacers dominated as the second new ball helped them pick up the wickets of Rahane and Vihari. Ashwin and Saha are reliable players and India would hope they could take them to a par first innings total tomorrow.

We will be back with out coverage tomorrow at 8 AM IST. Till then, goodbye!

After 89 overs,India 233/6 ( Wriddhiman Saha (W) 9 , Ravichandran Ashwin 15)

STUMPS! Just four from the last over of the day and it comes from Saha’s bat through a cover drive. Australians would be delighted with today’s performance.

FOUR! Poor delivery from Hazlewood. Full and outside off and Saha punishes him with a solid drive through cover-point area

After 88 overs,India 229/6 ( Wriddhiman Saha (W) 5 , Ravichandran Ashwin 15)

Cummins continues. Ashwin has been aggressive since the time he has come out. He spotted a bouncer from Cummins and went for a pull shot, wasn’t in full control but fortunately got enough bat on it to beat the fine leg fielder and find the boundary. Two leg byes also added in the over.

FOUR! Ashwin would have had his heart in his mouth for a brief moment there. He attempted a pull shot but it came out as a top-edge with Hazlewood fielding at fine leg but he failed to get to the ball in time

After 87 overs,India 223/6 ( Wriddhiman Saha (W) 5 , Ravichandran Ashwin 11)

Hazlewood called back into the attack. Ashwin plays a solid push down the ground to collect three runs. Saha adds two runs with a drive to cover-point and it was also a no ball. Quite a lot of no balls have been bowled today.

After 86 overs,India 215/6 ( Wriddhiman Saha (W) 2 , Ravichandran Ashwin 7)

Cummins has been called into the attack to have a go with the new ball. Three from the over. Ashwin collects a double with a thick edge running past the gully as he attempted a drive, he then added a single with a push to covers.

After 85 overs,India 212/6 ( Wriddhiman Saha (W) 2 , Ravichandran Ashwin 4)

Starc continues. Five from the over. Ashwin adds a single with a drive through offside before collecting a double through a pull shot that is cut off by the fine leg fielder. Saha also manages a double with a flick before he gets beaten on the last delivery which moved away just a bit.

After 84 overs,India 207/6 ( Wriddhiman Saha (W) 0 , Ravichandran Ashwin 1)

Another wicket falls as India lose Vihari. The right-handed batsman departs after being out LBW against Hazlewood. He was caught in the crease with a length delivery that came in, beat his inside edge to hit him on the pads. R Ashwin has come in to bat now. After a long day of some disciplined bowling, Aussie pacers are enjoying the assistance the second new ball is offering. The lights have obviously made things difficult for the Indian batsmen.

OUT! Hanuma Vihari lbw b Hazlewood 16(25)

Once again the batsman was stuck on the crease and was in no position to play the length ball which came in. Vihari tried to play with the angled bat coming down but was beaten on the inside edge.

FOUR! Full and swinging away delivery outside off and Vihari drives it for a boundary

After 83 overs,India 202/5 ( Hanuma Vihari 12 , Wriddhiman Saha (W) 0)

Starc continues. Huge appeal for LBW against Vihari but the umpire was not interested. It looked like going down but Vihari was walking across and that would have got Aussies interested as they took a review but as felt, it was going down leg. Just one from the over. That was a leg bye which came during the LBW appeal.

After 82 overs,India 201/5 ( Hanuma Vihari 12 , Wriddhiman Saha (W) 0)

Hazlewood comes into the attack as Australia look to make the best use of the new ball. The pacer manages to square up Vihari who was looking to play a flick but fortunately, the edge got past the gully fielder, giving India a boundary. Five from the over. 200 up for India.

FOUR! It’s all happening with the new ball. Vihari is squared up trying to play a flick but the edge runs past the gully for a boundary

After 81 overs,India 196/5 ( Hanuma Vihari 7 , Wriddhiman Saha (W) 0)

There’s hasn’t been much movement today but Strac manages to find some in the first over with the second new ball as he dismisses Rahane. The Indian batsman was guilty of not sorting his feet and got hit on the pads with fuller delivery moving back in. It looked plumb. He was walking away but Vihari asked him to take a review but even the DRS call could not save him. Saha is the new man in.

OUT! Rahane lbw b Starc 42(92)

Starc strikes in the first over with the second new ball. Rahane was stuck on the crease, his feet were moving nowhere as Starc bowled full and the ball moved back in to hit the batsman on the pads.

After 80 overs,India 193/4 ( Ajinkya Rahane 42 , Hanuma Vihari 4)

Green continues. Just one from the over as Hanuma pushes the short delivery to cover for a single. India have not been able to score off a single bowler today. Even Green, the debutant, has an economy rate of 1.67.

After 79 overs,India 192/4 ( Ajinkya Rahane 42 , Hanuma Vihari 3)

Lyon continues. Four off the over. Rahane clips the first ball to square leg for a single before Vihari plays a good looking cover drive for three runs. That should settle the nerves for Vihari.

After 78 overs,India 188/4 ( Ajinkya Rahane 41 , Hanuma Vihari 0)

Green into the attack now. Brilliant over by the all-rounder, maiden one and he was also able to find Vihari’s outside edge but once again it fell short of the slip fielder. That has been the story of the day.

After 77 overs,India 188/4 ( Ajinkya Rahane 41 , )

Despite all the brilliant bowling it looked like Kohli would not get out today but he’s gone due to a terrible call by his partner Rahane. The batsman started to run after playing a shot to mid-off, called for a single but then realised it wasn’t there, stopped midway, asking Kohli to also stop but by then the Indian captain was in no man’s land. He has to leave after being run out on 74. Hanuma Vihari has now come out to bat.

Kohli’s runout dismissals in Tests:

v Australia, 2012, Adelaide 
v Australia, 2020, Adelaide*

OUT! Kohli run out (Hazlewood/Lyon) 74(180) 

India lose the big wicket of Kohli. Disastrous run calling by Rahane. He pushed one to mid-off, started to run and asked for a single only to stop midway and send his partner back but by that time Kohli had responded and there was no way he could have comeback in time.

After 76 overs,India 185/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 72 , Ajinkya Rahane 40)

Cummins continues. We have the first six of the match as Rahane pulls the short delivery from Cummins over the backward square. He wasn’t in full control but managed to put it past the fence. Cummins also gave away a wide for a bouncer that was deemed to be too high. Seven from the over.

SIX! First maximum of the match. Cummins goes for the bouncer and Rahane was quick to swing his bat, wasn’t in full control but found the gap on legside

After 75 overs,India 178/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 72 , Ajinkya Rahane 34)

Expensive over from Lyon. Seven from it including a boundary for Kohli who creamed the outside off tossed up delivery through the covers. Lyon looks a bit tired now.

FOUR! Tosses up delivery by Lyon, outside off and all Kohli had to do was to time the drive as he finds the fence through the covers

After 74 overs,India 171/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 67 , Ajinkya Rahane 32)

Excellent over from Cummins. He managed to find Rahane’s outside edge on two occasions but the batsman is still batting. The first time it fell short of the second slip fielder, not for the first time today. The second time it ran away through the gap at slip for a boundary.

FOUR! Good delivery from Cummins. Rahane was squared up as he edged it but fortunately for him, it runs through the gap in the slip cordon

After 73 overs,India 166/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 67 , Ajinkya Rahane 27)

Lyon continues. Three off the over. The fuller delivery gave Rahane the chance to collect a double with a cover drive. Lyon then pulled his length back and Rahane cut it for a single. Drinks break.

After 72 overs,India 163/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 67 , Ajinkya Rahane 24)

Cummins continues. The double Rahane took on the last delivery of the previous over has been called a single because of a short run but replays show it wasn’t and Kohli had got his bat over the crease. The Indian skipper is not happy with the decision. Meanwhile, Cummins bowled a couple of no balls in this over besides giving away four runs.

After 71 overs,India 158/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 66 , Ajinkya Rahane 22)

Lyon into the attack now. The off-spinner has extracted a lot from the pitch today but the most he did was on the fifth delivery of the over as he got it to grip, bounce and turn, beating Rahane and the keeper for two byes. Rahane also added a double on the last delivery with a cut shot on off.

After 70 overs,India 154/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 66 , Ajinkya Rahane 20)

Hazlewood continues. The over can be just described as outside off, no runs, well eft by Kohli. The one time the pacer got the ball on the fuller side Kohli whipped it on the leg but found the midwicket fielder. maiden over.

After 69 overs,India 154/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 66 , Ajinkya Rahane 20)

Starc in this spell has struggled to find the perfect line. He has been either too much outside off or on the pads. Rahane got one in his arc which he drove through covers for a double. The pacer corrected his line towards the end of the over as Rahane was twice beaten on the cut.

After 68 overs,India 152/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 66 , Ajinkya Rahane 18)

Hazlewood bowled a couple of deliveries in that fifth stump line but drew nothing from Kohli so he tried something new, a knuckle ball and that swung away just a bit beating Kohli’s outside edge. The pacer followed it up with a fast bouncer but Kohli was up to the task and added a boundary to his tally with a pull shot.

FOUR! Kohli nails the pull shot again. Short delivery from Hazlewood and Kohli was quick to get into the position to earn four runs

After 67 overs,India 148/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 62 , Ajinkya Rahane 18)

It’s never going to be easy for Starc to bowl over the wicket to Kohli. He needs to be highly accurate every time. This time he strayed onto the pads and Kohli clipped it for a double before pulling the short ball from middle stump to midwicket fence. Kohli finishes the over with a single as he nudges one to deep square. Seven off the over.

FOUR! Short, on middle stump and Kohli whacks it to the deep mid-wicket fence. He is not going to miss out on those

After 66 overs,India 141/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 55 , Ajinkya Rahane 18)

Hazlewood continues. Four dot balls and then an appeal for LBW against Kohli as he was caught shuffling across but there bat-pad on it. He then decided to take a quick single on the last delivery resulting in a direct-hit at the striker’s end. Rahane could have been in danger had he not put in a dive but he’s safe.

After 65 overs,India 140/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 54 , Ajinkya Rahane 18)

Starc continues. Rahane plays an excellent cut shot on off but it is restricted to just three runs as Lyon puts in a forward dive just ahead of the fence. A single for Kohli as he drops the shot on offside and jets away to the non-striker’s end. Four from the over.

After 64 overs,India 136/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 53 , Ajinkya Rahane 15)

Hazlewood comes back into the attack. He starts off with a maiden as Kohli plays out the over without taking any risks. It has been a very disciplined effort from Australian bowlers but India also need to maintain a certain scoring rate so as to not get under too much pressure.

After 63 overs,India 136/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 53 , Ajinkya Rahane 15)

Bowling change. Starc replaces Cummins. He starts off with a couple of outside off deliveries that Kohli leaves before pushing one onto the leg side for a single. Rahane takes a quick single on the next delivery after dropping the outside off delivery close to the pitch. This is something we didn’t see Kohli and Pujara doing. India get a leg bye also in the over.

After 62 overs,India 133/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 52 , Ajinkya Rahane 14)

Lyon continues. Kohli gets off the strike with a flick to deep square leg. Rahane attempted a sweep shot in the over but failed to connect, went for another one on the last delivery and the top-edge ran down to the fence. Five off the over.

FOUR! Rahane goes for a sweep shot against Lyon as the top-edge flies over the circle and to the fence

After 61 overs,India 128/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 51 , Ajinkya Rahane 10)

Cummins continues. India skipper Kohli brings up his fifty with a single. Very restrained celebrations by Kohli, he knows the job is still not done. Rahane takes a single with a nudge on legside as Kohli steals a quick single on the last delivery to retain strike. Four from the over including a wide.

Virat Kohli brings up his half-century in 123 deliveries. It has been slow going but that is what the situation demands. He is only available for the first Test so he would be determined to score a big one here.

After 60 overs,India 124/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 49 , Ajinkya Rahane 9)

Lyon continues. Five from the over. Kohli added a triple with a drive which he played very far from the body but thankfully it went wide of the slip. Rahane got a double with a cut on off.

After 59 overs,India 119/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 46 , Ajinkya Rahane 7)

Maiden over for Cummins. The line was mostly outside off as Rahane defended or left alone. However, there were a couple of bouncers but the height allowed Rahane to easily duck under them.

After 58 overs,India 119/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 46 , Ajinkya Rahane 7)

Lyon continues. Expensive over this as the offie concedes 10 runs from it. Two boundaries came for India, one for Rahane and another for Kohli. Both were products of punches through the covers region as Lyon was guilty of over pitching on both occasions.

FOUR! Another overpitched delivery by Lyon and Kohli did well to not miss out on it as he powered it through the gap on cover

FOUR! Lovely shot this from Rahane. A glorious cover drive as Lyon misses his mark and pitches it full

After 57 overs,India 109/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 41 , Ajinkya Rahane 2)

Cummins into the attack. Paine jas decided to bowl his top two bowlers in tandem. The first delivery was sprayed on the legside but Kohli missed out on the shot. A couple of dot balls followed before he clipped one on the leg for a single followed by two more dot balls to Rahane.

After 56 overs,India 108/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 40 , Ajinkya Rahane 2)

Lyon has been on the money from the first ball after the tea break. He started off with a tossed up delivery that drew Kohli forward before zipping past his outside edge. The India skipper got off the strike later with a dab to backward square. Just one off the over.

Time for the final session of the day! Australia have had a great time so far and they would be looking for more wickets. India need Kohli and Rahane to bat the whole session. Kohli is on strike. Lyon has the ball with him.

India have won this session but Australian bowlers have also done a good job. The visitors lost an important wicket of Cheteshwar Pujara but not before a good partnership between him and Virat Kohli. The Indian skipper is looking good in the middle. Spinner Nathan Lyon showed fine form with the ball. We’ll be back after a small break.

Players dismissed by Lyon most times in Tests:

10 : Cheteshwar Pujara*
9 : Stuart Broad
9 : Moeen Ali 
9 : Ajinkya Rahane

After 55 overs,India 107/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 39 , Ajinkya Rahane 2)

Marnus Labuschagne has the ball now. The last over before the break. Three singles from this one and that’s the end of the second session.

After 54 overs,India 104/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 37 , Ajinkya Rahane 1)

Lyon to Kohli. The Indian skipper is moving well against the spinner. He pushes the final ball towards point region and takes a single.

After 53 overs,India 103/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 36 , Ajinkya Rahane 1)

Green continues and it’s a maiden. Rahane is taking it easy, He has faced 17 balls for just one run. He knows India can’t afford to lose one more before the break.

How Lyon got Pujara out:

Lovely bowling from Nathan Lyon to dismiss Pujara, finding turn and bounce.

The wicket ball spun 5.8 degrees, the third most of any Lyon's bowled today. It also bounced 1.2m, more than either of the two balls which spun more.

Textbook Lyon; huge wicket for the hosts.#AUSvIND

— The CricViz Analyst (@cricvizanalyst) December 17, 2020

After 52 overs,India 103/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 36 , Ajinkya Rahane 1)

Rahane goes for the drive against Lyon and gets a thick inside edge. The ball doesn’t go in the air so it’s safe for the batsman and one run is taken. Lyon showing his class once again. One more wicket in this session and Australians will go into the break a lot happier.

After 51 overs, India 101/3

Green to Kohli. The batsman takes a single after a push to backward square leg. The bowler mixes his length well in this over. Rahane is watchful, no runs after the single in the first ball.

After 50 overs,India 100/3 ( Virat Kohli (C) 34 , Ajinkya Rahane 0)

Huge spin for Lyon. Pujara plays and misses his glance and Paine appeals for a catch. But the umpire is not interested. Again there’s turn and bounce, this time Pujara has to walk back to the pavilion. Umpire thinks there’s no inside edge as Labuschagne takes the catch but replays show there’s one. A fighting knock comes to an end. Ajinkya Rahane joins his skipper in the middle. Successful over for Australia.

GONE!

Lyon breaks the partnership. Turn and bounce, Pujara defends but the ball takes an inside edge and the catch is taken by a fielder near the pitch. Umpire says no but Aussies take the review and they are right. Pujara c Labuschagne b Lyon 43(160)

After 49 overs,India 98/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 41 , Virat Kohli (C) 34)

Green continues. No run off the first three balls. The fourth one is down the leg, simple glance from Pujara behind square leg for a single. Kohli defends the last two balls. This is turning out to be a good session for India.

After 48 overs,India 97/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 40 , Virat Kohli (C) 34)

Pujara with two boundaries in this over. Excellent use of his feet. He’s not allowing Lyon to dominate. The batsman has done the hard work early on and now runs are coming easily. He has also shielded his skipper from batting against the spinner.

Good use of the feet against Lyon and Pujara gets the boundary after finding gap on the leg-side

After 47 overs,India 88/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 31 , Virat Kohli (C) 34)

Green continues and he’s bowling with good pace. 145 plus against Kohli but the Indian skipper is not troubled much. He gets a boundary off an edge but even with the close in fielder, it wouldn’t have carried. Kohli moves into 30s. Five off the over.

Edge and the ball goes between the second slip and the gully fielder. Four for Virat Kohli!

After 46 overs,India 83/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 31 , Virat Kohli (C) 30)

Catching chance off the first ball? Pujara plays a leg glance against Lyon and the ball falls short of the fielder. Now Kohli is on strike against Lyon. Positive batting from the skipper. Just two off the over.

After 45 overs,India 81/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 30 , Virat Kohli (C) 29)

Change in the bowling. Cameron Green is back into the attack. He’s got a nice and easy action. The fourth ball is full, Kohli flicks it and runs two. This is good batting from the both the batsmen. Not taking any unnecessary risks.

After 44 overs,India 79/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 30 , Virat Kohli (C) 27)

Lyon to Pujara, the batsman drives the first ball through point and it’s in the gap. The batsman run two. No runs from rest of the deliveries.

After 43 overs,India 77/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 28 , Virat Kohli (C) 27)

Nasty bounce and looks like Kohli has hurt his right hand. The ball from Starc rises sharply, Kohli tries to negotiate but it hit the hand and falls near forward short leg. Fortunately, there’s no fielder there. Physio is out and takes a look but the Indian skipper is good to continue batting. Starc bowls short and offers little bit of room in the final ball, Kohli plays a controlled pull for a boundary.

Short and outside off from Starc. Kohli pulls it and finds the boundary. Nicely done!

After 42 overs,India 73/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 28 , Virat Kohli (C) 23)

Bounce and turn for Lyon. Kohli is looking good but he needs to be careful while going on the front foot. There’s a appeal for catch against Pujara after he kicks the ball to silly point but there’s nothing there. Just one from this over.

After 41 overs,India 72/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 28 , Virat Kohli (C) 22)

Starc continues after the drinks break. The first one is on the pads, Kohli blocks and takes a single. Starc bowling back of the length deliveries to Pujara, but the batsman is solid on his defence. The final ball is fuller one and on the stumps, another solid block from Pujara.

After 40 overs,India 71/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 28 , Virat Kohli (C) 21)

Eventful over from Lyon. Aussies think Pujara got an inside edge as the ball balloons up before falling just short of diving forward short leg. Little bit restless batting from the usually patient Pujara. Again, he’s looking for runs but just can’t get it. Maiden for the third straight over.

After 39 overs,India 71/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 28 , Virat Kohli (C) 21)

Starc continues. He’s bowling fuller length deliveries outside off stump to Kohli, probably wants the batsman to go for the drives. Kohli is watchful though. Back-to-back maidens for Australia.

After 38 overs,India 71/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 28 , Virat Kohli (C) 21)

Pujara looks for gaps against Nathan Lyon but fails to find them in this over. There’s turn but Pujara is reading them well. The over finishes quickly and it a maiden.

After 37 overs,India 71/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 28 , Virat Kohli (C) 21)

So, it does look like batting is becoming easier in the second session. Kohli has also started to middle the deliveries so that’s another good sign for India. Starc tries a yorker in the second ball but Kohli watches it till the last second. Four from this one.

On the pads from Starc and Kohli whips it through mid-wicket. Top shot.

After 36 overs,India 67/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 28 , Virat Kohli (C) 17)

Nathan Lyon to Kohli, big turn down the leg in the first ball to beat Kohli’s shot. There’s a small appeal from the close fielders but Paine doesn’t take the review. Apart from the turn, Lyon is also extracting good bounce. Just one from the over.

After 35 overs,India 66/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 28 , Virat Kohli (C) 16)

Cummins to Pujara, the batsman tucks the ball off the pads and runs two. Cummins running hard and bowling with pace but Pujara is happy to just block the deliveries. Cummins spoke about how Pujara made life difficult for him last time around in the Test series. He will continue to do that this time also and Cummins needs to execute his plan perfectly.

Seems like Kohli and Pujara read this tweet!

55/2 in 31 overs....only 2 boundaries. While it’s fine on most Test days, India wouldn’t want to get into the twilight period without a significant total already achieved. Would want to get a little move on...
Different ball, different rules.... #AusvInd

— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) December 17, 2020

After 34 overs,India 64/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 26 , Virat Kohli (C) 16)

Yup. The plan is to score runs against Lyon. Virat plays a lovely shot after coming down the track against the spinner. Lyon will take this challenge. He knows he has got a chance to break this crucial stand. A mishit and India will be three down. Four off this over.

Shot! 

Virat Kohli dances down the track and hits the ball over Lyon’s head. No stopping that one.

After 33 overs,India 60/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 26 , Virat Kohli (C) 12)

Cummins continues. Exact opposite of what we saw from Pujara in the previous over. Against the pacer, Pujara is happy to sit back and take it slow. The final ball is a ripper, Pujara almost edges it. Maiden over.

After 32 overs,India 60/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 26 , Virat Kohli (C) 12)

Spin for the first time today, Nathan Lyon is into the attack and straightaway Pujara is looking to shift gears. The first ball is slightly short, Pujara rocks back to cut it behind point for two runs. In the fifth ball, Pujara drives it through covers and the batsmen run three. He has skipped down the track thrice in the over so there’s intent. Maybe we will runs from his end now.

Kohli in Tests:

v Hazlewood : 3 dismissals, 52.09 SR 
v Cummins : 4 dismissals, 32.60 SR

After 31 overs,India 55/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 21 , Virat Kohli (C) 12)

Cummins continues. Two doubles in the over. Kohli presses forward in the third ball, opens the face of the ball and guides the ball towards the gap in backward point region. The ball doesn’t have the legs to reach the fence so two runs. Cummins does well in the rest of the deliveries, bowling slightly shorter, cramping the Indian skipper. This is a superb contest.

After 30 overs,India 51/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 21 , Virat Kohli (C) 11)

Hazlewood to Pujara, the batsman taps the second ball and takes a quick single. Another short ball to Kohli, the batsman places it towards the square region on the leg-side. Hazlewood goes down the leg in the final ball, Kohli flicks and manages to run three. The umpire signals leg byes.

After 29 overs,India 45/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 19 , Virat Kohli (C) 7)

Pat Cummins to Pujara, second ball of the over is a superb bouncer. The batsman also does well to bend his back behind and let it go. Pujara has now faced more than 100 deliveries for his 19. Typical innings from India’s No 3. Another brilliant short ball, Kohli is surprised, doesn’t duck and the ball hits the gloves and runs to the fine-leg. Two runs for the batsman. Cummins then beats the Indian skipper in the final ball. The pacer is testing Kohli.

After 28 overs,India 42/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 18 , Virat Kohli (C) 5)

Hazlewood starts off with a back of a length delivery to Pujara and then bowls a bouncer. The third ball slides down the leg, Pujara flicks and takes a single. Hazlewood to Kohli, pitched up delivery, the Indian captain blocks it. The next one is also full, this one is on the pads, Kohli tries to beat the mid-on fielder but fails. One off the over.

After 27 overs,India 41/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 17 , Virat Kohli (C) 5)

Virat Kohli gets an edge off the first ball against Pat Cummins. He plays the shot with soft hands so the ball doesn’t get carried to the slip cordon. Kohli gets an inside edge again, this time the ball rises up sharply before hitting Kohli’s gloves. It falls just short of forward short leg fielder. Good over from the pacer and a maiden.

After 26 overs,India 41/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 17 , Virat Kohli (C) 5)

Hazlewood starts off targeting the stumps against Pujara. The third ball is pitched up, fifth stump line, Pujara is happy to let it go. The pacer sticks to bowling full, Pujara is not troubled much. Maiden start to the second session.

The players are out. Cheteshwar Pujara is on strike against Josh Hazlewood. Virat Kohli is on the other end. Second session on Day 1 is underway.

It has been a fantastic first session for Australia. India won the toss, decided to bat and made their way through to the end of the first session with some bruises. It was a fascinating session with Aussie pacers not even giving an inch away, the accuracy was spot on and that led to the dismissals of the openers. It seems like Pujara and Kohli need to be watchful for some more time before they start playing their shots. We will be back soon with the coverage of the second session.

After 25 overs,India 41/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 17 , Virat Kohli (C) 5)

Green starts off with a bouncer and Kohli ducks under it before placing the fuller delivery to deep mid-wicket for double. That is followed by two back-to-back short of length deliveries that Kohli decides to leave. He then defends before letting go of the last delivery. Two from the over and the first session is done.

After 24 overs,India 39/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 17 , Virat Kohli (C) 3)

Hazlewood continues. He starts off by bowling on off, first four deliveries are either defended or left alone by Kohli but then he gets one on the pads and tucks it to the mid-wicket for a single. Pujara faces the last delivery for no run.

After 23 overs,India 38/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 17 , Virat Kohli (C) 2)

Okay, we have a bowling change now. The 6 feet 7 inches 21-year-old debutant Green is into the attack now. And his first delivery is a no ball but he starts off well. Just three from the over as Pujara added a double with a flick to wide of mid-wicket off a fuller delivery.

Spot on! 

Elite grouping from Pat Cummins - eat your heart out Glenn McGrath! #AUSvIND live: https://t.co/LGCJ7zSdrY pic.twitter.com/C1e7JoKocN

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2020

After 22 overs,India 35/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 15 , Virat Kohli (C) 2)

Whatever you are doing it’s time to switch on the television and enjoy the action. You have Kohli and Pujara at the crease with Cummins and Hazlewood bowling for Australia. Another solid over by Hazlewood with just a single coming from it as Pujara guided the length outside off delivery past backward point.

After 21 overs,India 34/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 14 , Virat Kohli (C) 2)

Cummins continues. He has just got a wicket so Green has to wait for his turn now. Kohli gets off the mark with a hip-height delivery which he tucked behind square for a double. He was also confronted with a couple of short deliveries that he dealt with calmly, letting it go with his bat held high.

After 20 overs,India 32/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 14 , Virat Kohli (C) 0)

Australia get a wicket and immediately call Hazlewood back into the attack. The pacer mixes it up with a nip-backer, outside off, good length deliveries. The accuracy is amazing and the bowlers are not giving even an inch away to the Indian batsmen. Maiden over.

Look at that ball! 

Patty with a peach!

Through the gate of Agarwal with a wonderful delivery! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/ZQjeHEHyuI

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2020

After 19 overs,India 32/2 ( Cheteshwar Pujara 14 , Virat Kohli (C) 0)

A peach of a delivery from Cummins sends Mayank back to the hut. The pacer was not supposed to bowl this over or the previous one. Cameron Green was ready to do the duty but Cummins decided to continue and he has got Australia the breakthrough. Mayank goest out, bowled as the length delivery nipped back in off the same to crash into the stumps. Mayank was guilty of pushing and left a gap between bat and pad. A wicket-maiden for Cummins. Kohli is out in the middle.

WCIKET! Agarwal b Cummins 17(40)

The Australian pacer shows his class there. He decided to continue bowling instead of Green and has picked up a wicket now. It was a length delivery that nipped back in to break the stumps. There was a gap between pad and bat for Mayank but so far there had been no movement for him to worry.

After 18 overs,India 32/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 17 , Cheteshwar Pujara 14)

Starc starts with angling in delivery from off which Mayank drives to the cover for a single. A couple of yorkers attempted on the last two deliveries but Pujara gets his bat down in time to deal with them safely. One off the over.

After 17 overs,India 31/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 16 , Cheteshwar Pujara 14)

Cameron Green was ready to bowl his first over in Test cricket but for some reason, Cummins decided to bowl another over. So it’s great that way that Pujara played it out safely without giving the pacer any opportunity. Another maiden over for Cummins.

After 16 overs,India 31/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 16 , Cheteshwar Pujara 14)

Starc continues. A boundary on the first delivery for Mayank as he slices the fuller delivery over cover. There were a couple of short deliveries as well but the opener dealt with it confidently before adding a double on the last delivery with a legside glance. Six off the over.

FOUR! Starc fires in a fuller delivery from round the wicket as Mayank throws his bat on it with the slice going over backward point for a boundary

After 15 overs,India 25/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 10 , Cheteshwar Pujara 14)

Cummins continues. Another maiden over but that wouldn’t bother Pujara, he seems to be in no hurry as the batsman either defends or leaves alone the deliveries.

After 14 overs,India 25/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 10 , Cheteshwar Pujara 14)

Starc returns to the attack. The start of the over was briefly delayed as Mayank was having some issue with the side screen but it is also sorted now. Disciplined bowling outside off stump by the pacer and it finishes as a maiden.

After 13 overs,India 25/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 10 , Cheteshwar Pujara 14)

Cummins continues after drinks break. The accuracy of the pacer is astonishing, the broadcaster just showed the pitch map and almost everything is on good length.  There’s hardly any movement on offer but Aussies pacers have been on the mark from the start and both Pujara and Mayank are doing the best by defending their way through the overs. Once the ball gets old, scoring would become much easier. Maiden over.

Pujara v Cummins in Tests:

Runs : 117
Balls : 345
Dismissals : 2
SR : 33.91

After 12 overs,India 25/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 10 , Cheteshwar Pujara 14)

Hazlewood continues. The pacer is sticking to a short of length channel but missed the mark on a couple of occasions and one of them fuller delivery was driven to long-on by Puajra for a triple. Just three from the over. Time for a drink break.

After 11 overs,India 22/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 10 , Cheteshwar Pujara 11)

Bowling change for Australia as Pat Cummins comes into the attack and the pacer begins with an economical over. Pujara left alone or defended the length deliveries before adding a single on the last ball with the inside edge running past leg gully.

After 10 overs,India 21/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 10 , Cheteshwar Pujara 10)

Hazlewood continues. Pujara leaves the first ball and then defends the length delivery to mid-on to collect a single on the second delivery of the over. Three dot balls to Mayank who then unleashed the cover drive on the last ball of the over to collect the first boundary of the match. Five from the over.

FOUR! Finally we have the first boundary of the match and it comes from Mayank’s bat. It was a slightly fuller delivery from Hazlewood, outside off which Mayank drove to the covers fence.

Yup

starc, hazlewood, cummins and green...this australian pace attack is a "tall" order #AUSvIND

— Gaurav Kalra (@gauravkalra75) December 17, 2020

After 9 overs,India 16/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 6 , Cheteshwar Pujara 9)

Mayank tucks the legside short ball to fine leg for a single on the first delivery and Starc switches to round the wicket for Pujara. There’s a change of plans from Aussies. They have got a leg gully and short leg and Pujara is going to be peppered with short deliveries. The plan almost worked as the flick from the batsman went pretty close to the leg gully but not in his hands as India collect a double. Pujara adds a triple as well in the over with a push down the ground.

After 8 overs,India 10/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 5 , Cheteshwar Pujara 4)

Hazlewood continues. Once again Pujara edges one to the slip cordon but once again it falls short of the fielder. His grip on the bat seemed pretty soft, however, McGrath on air is claiming that edges not carrying indicate that the pitch might be lacking pace. The incident allowed Pujara to collect two runs. The bowling is top-notch here, and Indian batsmen need to be very careful. Runs would come slowly.

After 7 overs,India 7/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 5 , Cheteshwar Pujara 2)

Starc continues. A half-chance on the first delivery as Mayank closes the bat face on the short delivery but Travis Head at short leg couldn’t get his hands on it. Most of the deliveries from thereon were outside off as Mayank left them comfortably. Maiden over.

Timber! 

With the second ball of the Test! #OhWhatAFeeling@Toyota_Aus | #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/4VA6RqpZWt

— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 17, 2020

After 6 overs,India 7/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 5 , Cheteshwar Pujara 2)

Hazlewood continues. Pujara is looking more comfortable now, defending off the front foot and leaving deliveries as the pacer sticks to the outside off channel. Pujara was also hit on the shoulder once as he took his eyes off the short ball from Hazlewood. Maiden over.

After 5 overs,India 7/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 5 , Cheteshwar Pujara 2)

Mayank was beaten in the previous over trying to push away a fuller delivery, he attempted something similar here and the inside-edge to mid-on helps him take a single. Pujara also collects a single as he tucks the hip-height delivery to fine leg. Just two from the over. There was also a short delivery from Starc which Mayank fended off nicely as he leaped off the ground.

After 4 overs,India 5/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 4 , Cheteshwar Pujara 1)

A proper Test battle is underway at Adelaide. If it’s too much outside off, batsmen are letting the deliveries go, the ones closer to the wicket are being defended. The fuller ones are being driven and that’s how Mayank added three runs while Pujara’s outside edge was beaten on the last delivery.

After 3 overs,India 2/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 1 , Cheteshwar Pujara 1)

Another brilliant over for Starc as he created two opportunities for a wicket. The first delivery whistled past Mayank’s bat as he attempted a cover drive on the outside off length delivery. He was then confronted with a short ball that he defended off his toes and luckily the shot fell short of gully. Mayank finally got off the strike with a shot to cover point for a single. Just one from the over.

After 2 overs,India 1/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 0 , Cheteshwar Pujara 1)

Josh Hazlewood comes into the attack from the other end and he’s also on the mark from the start. The first delivery is a nip-backer which hits Pujara on the pads but it was going down and had height as well. It is followed by five dot balls as Pujara leaves or either defends.

Pujara v Hazlewood in Tests:

Dismissals : 4
SR : 36.48

After 1 overs,India 1/1 ( Mayank Agarwal 0 , Cheteshwar Pujara 1)

Starc is on fire already. What a start for Australia and the pacer. He came into the series being under pressure due to recent poor outings but picks up a wicket on the second delivery of the match. Shaw gets out, clean bowled, paying the price of being lazy on his drive as the inside edge zipped back onto the stumps. Starc then found Cheteshwar Pujara’s outside edge but it fell short of the first slip. Pujara was saved as he played with soft hands and took a single.

OUT! Prithvi Shaw b Starc 0(2)

Great start to the series for Australia. Starc strikes in his first over. Shaw clean bowled as he tried to drive an outside off ball, was late on his shot and inside edge zipped back in to disturb the stumps.

The anthems are done and we are seconds away from the start of the match. Mayank Agarwal and Prithvi Shaw are out at the crease to open for India. It’s a significant toss for India to win and they would want to make the best of it. Mitchell Starc will bowl the first over.

Prithvi Shaw has never been dismissed for a single digit score in his short Test career

Prediction from Ponting

Can't wait to commentate alongside this man for the first time, and excited to be back at a ground with fans for the first time in 10 months. Predicting 2-1 Australia. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/UV5WEgi7LD

— Ricky Ponting AO (@RickyPonting) December 17, 2020

Virat Kohli has a win/loss record of 21/4 after winning the toss in Tests.

Australia have won all the seven D/N Test matches that they have played so far.

Australia have lost only one out of their last seven Tests at Adelaide Oval. Their only defeat came against India in 2018.

Australia have won each of their last seven Test matches at home.

Australia playing XI: Joe Burns, Matthew Wade, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Tim Paine, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

Australia playing XI: Joe Burns, Matthew Wade, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Cameron Green, Tim Paine, Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

Tim Paine: Green comes in. Joe Burns holds his place. Matthew Wade will open. Message has been to keep things as simple as we can. We know what’s expected, so just have to come out here and execute our plans. Happy to be bowling actually.

Virat Kohli: It looks like a nice wicket, nice and hard. Runs on the board are priceless, especially away from home. We have prepared really well, boys have had a lot of time in the nets, couple of tour games as well. A bit of cloud cover here, so we have to be more solid up front.

TOSS NEWS: Virat Kohli wins toss, India opt to bat first in 1st Test at Adelaide

Pitch report: There’s a healthy covering of grass on it. Toss is going to be very important, especially in day/night match, you want to bat first, says Glenn McGrath.

Pink ball Test record

Australia have a frightening record in the Pink ball Tests. They have played seven and won seven. All seven matches were played in Australia with four of them at the Adelaide Oval. India have played just one day/night match which was against Bangladesh. They won the match by an innings and 46 runs.

Cameron Green to make debut!

Australian all-rounder Green is set to make his Test debut today. He has been handed his debut cap by senior pacer Pat Cummins.

SRT backs Rahane 

Ajinkya Rahane is blessed with a “smart brain” and should be able to lead India well against Australia in the three Tests with his controlled aggression, feels batting icon Sachin Tendulkar.

Sledging is pointless?

A pandemic-struck 2020 has taught people different things. For India captain Virat Kohli, it has made him realise how “pointless” sledging is and he promised that “unnecessary stuff will be filtered out” during the upcoming Test series against Australia.

From 1977 to 2018

From Bishan Singh Bedi’s men registering first Test win to Virat Kohli and Co clinching series not so long ago, relive some of the memorable victories for Team India Down Under.

The preview

Given the parity in the six white-ball matches, neither team has the psychological advantage heading into the longest format. Nevertheless, India will be revved up, having clinched the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2-1 during their previous tour – their maiden Test series win Down Under.

India reveal their playing XI

In case you missed it, India have already put out their playing XI. Prithvi Shaw has been chosen ahead of Shubhman Gilll as one of the openers along with Mayank Agarwal. Wriddhiman Saha is the wicket-keeper for this Test so Rishabh Pant misses out 

XI: Mayank Agarwal, Prithvi Shaw, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Wriddhiman Saha, Ravichandran Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Shami and Jasprit Bumrah.

Hello and welcome to our LIVE coverage of the 1st Test between Australia and India. It will be India’s first Pink ball Test Down Under. The match is scheduled to begin at 9.30 AM in Adelaide. Virat Kohli and Co created history the last time around as India won their first-ever Test series Down Under. The visitors would be aiming for a repeat but the hosts have Steve Smith back in their ranks and David Warner is expected to be fit soon. Both Smith and Warner missed the last series as Aussies struggled to match India’s batting strength. This time though they are confident of a win. And we are confident of a high-intense series.