India A vs Australia A, 1st Unofficial Test, Day 1, Review: Mohammed Siraj rattles the Aussies amidst Khawaja's ton

After an exhilarating quadrangular series, India A and Australia A squared off in the first of the two four-day-match series at the Chinnaswamy Stadium in Bangalore. The visitors are being led by Mitchell Marsh which also includes some of the players who have previously played for the national team. After opting to bat first though Australia A were rattled by Mohammed Siraj who grabbed eight wickets in the first innings and continued to knock the doors of the national side.

Usman Khawaja and Kurtis Patterson opened for the tourists and fared really well up front. They stitched a partnership of 78 runs for the first wicket and denied the home side a wicket for 25.2 overs. It was Siraj who draw the first blood by castling the latter after scoring 31 runs off 69 deliveries. The wicket opened the floodgates as the same bowler ran through their middle-order. Soon, they were reduced to 90/4 and that is when Khawaja and Marnus Labuschagne joined hands.

Both of them 114 runs for the fifth wicket and brought the team back in the contest. But Siraj came to bowl a new spell and broke the threatening stand. Kuldeep Yadav, the mysterious chinaman, then picked Alex Carey’s wicket. This was a start of yet another collapse for the visitors as they were left reeling at 215/9 from 204/4.

Khawaja makes it count

Meanwhile, amidst all the wickets falling at the other end, Khawaja brought up a sensational century. He opened the innings and was fighting a sinking ship for his team and made sure that they get close to 250 runs in the first innings. He got an able partner in Jon Holland as they added 28 runs for the last wicket and it was Khawaja who was dismissed by none other than Siraj for a well-made 127. Australia A were bowled out for 243 runs in the 76th over.

India A openers Ravikumar Samarth and Mayank Agarwal had to see off a 12-over period and they looked confident during their brief stay. The hosts ended the day on 41/0 and still trail by 202 runs in the first innings. They would hope to bat big on Day 2 and make it tough for the opposition to make a comeback.

Brief Scores

Australia A 243 after 75.3 overs (U Khawaja 127, M Labuschagne 60; M Siraj 8/59, K Yadav 2/63)

India A 41/0 after 12 overs (M Agarwal 31*)

State of the match: India A trail by 202 runs in the first innings

Keep following CricTracker for more news and updates.