Ind vs Aus : Todd Murphy claims maiden Test scalp by dismissing KL Rahul

Victorian Todd Murphy got his Test debut off to a pleasant start as he claimed the wicket of India's KL Rahul to give Australia a reason to smile on Day 1 and also got his Test wicket column up and running.

The highly anticipated four-match Test series between India and Australia for the Border Gavaskar Trophy began on Thursday, February 9. All the eyes were on the action happening at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium in Nagpur. Australia won a crucial toss and decided to bat first. India handed debuts to T20I specialist Suryakumar Yadav along with wicketkeeper-batter KS Bharat. On the other hand, Australia's Todd Murphy was handed his Baggy Green ahead of the start of the first Test. 

India were brilliant with the ball from the outset as the pacers Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami sent the openers back to the pavilion. Australia were two down for almost nothing to show on the board and needed to rebuild. Steve Smith and the ever-consistent Marnus Labuschagne stitched a vital 82-run partnership to get their side moving. 

After that the spin twins took over control of proceedings. Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja started taking wickets at regular intervals and Australia folded for a below-par score of 177 on the board. Jadeja completed his fifer and took crucial wickets of Labuschagne, Smith, and Handscomb to give India the upper hand in the match.

India came out to bat with roughly an hour and a half remaining in the day. Rohit Sharma was magnificent from the first over as he smashed opposition skipper Pat Cummins initially. The India skipper along with vice-captain KL Rahul stitched an important partnership of 76 runs. Rohit completed his fifty and looked comfortable throughout the session. 

KL Rahul gave away his wicket to debutant Todd Murphy. Murphy was impressive and bowled well. His persistence got him the much-needed wicket that Australia wanted. 

GOT HIM! Our man Todd Murphy grabs the first of many Test wickets. And don’t the lads at @StKildaCricket love it! #INDvsAUS #Goggles 🥽 @FoxCricket @cricketcomau @VicStateCricket @SixersBBL 🎥 pic.twitter.com/pDgp6xoxS2

— Will Faulkner (@willzfaulk) February 9, 2023

Even though Australia took the late wicket, it was India's day throughout. They sit comfortably, only 100 runs behind of the Australian total and would be looking to gain a sizeable lead to take the match forward.

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