After Day 1 of the first Test against Australia, India can improve in three areas. On Day 1 of the first Test in Nagpur, India’s Border-Gavaskar Trophy campaign got off to a great start.
Ravindra Jadeja took five wickets as India bowled out the opposition for just 177 after the visitors won the toss and chose to bat. After that, Rohit Sharma struck a composed fifty as his team overcame a Stumps deficit of 77 runs.
India would have been extremely confident had they had a great day to begin the series. However, it wasn’t perfect, and there are a few minor issues they need to address in the coming days.
After the first day of the first Test against Australia, here are three areas in which India can make improvements.
3 Mohammed Siraj lacked control during his second spell
On Day 1 of the first Test, Team India was set on fire by Siraj’s potent new-ball spell. With his first ball of the day, he put Usman Khawaja in front and challenged Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith in the first session.
However, the accuracy of the fast bowler’s second spell was lower. Alex Carey’s counterattack hit Siraj for four boundaries during the bowling session after lunch. After just two overs, the pacer was taken out of the attack as the Aussie keeper-batsman picked off the four fours through off-side gaps.
The composition of India’s playing XI necessitates speed bowlers’ control. Siraj needs to keep one end up without giving away too many runs and letting the spinners use the pressure that comes with that.
2 Virat Kohli’s slip-catching drew the ire of the experts
Kohli has never been a safe slip fielder, and the same issue surfaced on Day 1 in Nagpur.
The former Indian captain took a chance from Steve Smith by grassing it off Axar Patel, who was going with one hand and appeared to be taken aback. Later, a deflection off of KS Bharat’s thigh gave him a better chance, but the way the ball flew past Kohli, who was working hard, was worrying.
The flaws in Kohli’s strategy were quickly pointed out by experts on air, including the legendary slip fielder Mark Waugh. He then took advantage of a straightforward opportunity, but it’s clear that India needs safer hands in catching positions, particularly against spinners.
1 KL Rahul played a reckless shot to get out
In 2022, KL Rahul had a terrible year in Test cricket, and his start in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy didn’t particularly impress. He was successful in playing out the new ball, largely because Rohit Sharma kept scoring boundaries at the other end.
However, as he has frequently done in recent times, Rahul simply turned off. He served the accurate Todd Murphy a straightforward return catch from a harmless full delivery, and the offspinner happily accepted the offer. Rohit appeared to be furious when the Indian opener returned for 20 runs.
Despite being vice-captain, Rahul’s place in the Test team is seriously debated. In the second inning, he needs to come together.