Team India falls short in Perth Test as first innings stalls at 150 runs

New Delhi (The Uttam Hindu): Australia dominated India in the first innings of the ongoing Test at Optus Stadium in Perth, reducing the Indian team to a mere 150 runs, thanks to a stellar bowling performance led by Josh Hazlewood, who claimed four wickets. After lunch, India lost their fifth wicket when Mitchell Marsh dismissed Dhruv Jurel (10), who was caught by Marnus Labuschagne, leaving India at 73 for five. Marsh continued his attack, getting Washington Sundar (4) out in the 32nd over. India found themselves in deep trouble, having lost six wickets for just 73 runs.

In the midst of the crisis, Nitish Kumar Reddy (41) and Rishabh Pant (37) tried to rebuild the innings, adding 48 runs for the seventh wicket. However, Pat Cummins broke their partnership by dismissing Pant in the 46th over. Hazlewood soon claimed the wickets of Harshit Rana (7) and captain Jasprit Bumrah (8), leaving India on the brink. India’s final wicket fell when Reddy was dismissed, leaving India all out for 150 in just 49.4 overs. Earlier, India’s top-order collapsed in the face of Australia's sharp bowling attack. Captain Jasprit Bumrah won the toss and chose to bat first, but India struggled right from the start.

In the third over, opener Yashasvi Jaiswal (0) was dismissed by Mitchell Starc, caught by Nathan McSweeney. Devdutt Padikkal (0) followed soon after, bowled by Hazlewood in the 11th over, failing to score after facing 24 balls. Virat Kohli (5) was the next to fall, dismissed by Hazlewood. Before lunch, Starc dealt another blow by sending KL Rahul (26) back to the pavilion, leaving India reeling at 51 for 4 after 25 overs. For Australia, Hazlewood’s four-wicket haul was the highlight, with Cummins, Starc, and Marsh each picking up two wickets.