Virat Kohli drops an opportunity in cyclocross during the first test.©Twitter
While India dominated Australia on Day 1 of the first test at Nagpur, there were a few occasions where the fieldwork could have been better. Surprisingly, it was Virat Kohli who was at the center of two missed opportunities. First, former India skipper gave Australia’s star batsman Steve Smith a reprieve in the 16th over of the day. On the first ball of that over, Smith went for a drive against a fuller pitch and got a thick perimeter. Stationed at first slip, Kohli stretched out his right hand, but couldn’t hold the ball.
In the second session, Peter Handscomb defeated one from Jadeja. The ball was deflected after hitting wicket-keeper KS Bharat’s gloves. Kohli, who slips again, was unable to reach the ball. Former Australia star Mark Waugh, while commenting, pointed out: “Your legs have to be a lot closer to move quickly.” Smith scored 37 while Handscomb was out for 31.
“Kohli was very high in his position. Should have stayed a bit lower,” added Waugh. “He should have done a little better. Almost as if he hadn’t expected it.’
Speaking of the match, Indian spinner Ravindra Jadeja took a five wicket haul on his international return as India ruled the opening day of the first Test against Australia on Thursday. Jadeja returned figures of 5-47 and fellow spinner Ravichandran Ashwin took three wickets to knock Australia out for 177 in the final session on a spinning Nagpur pitch.
In reply, India got 77 for one at stumps, with skipper Rohit Sharma on 56 and Ashwin, yet to score, at the crease. The hosts are still 100 runs behind Australia.
With AFP inputs
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