Twitter Reactions: Usman Khawaja, Matthew Kuhnemann propel Australia to commanding position on dramatic 1st day

Australia have bagged a sizeable lead of 47 runs after an entertaining first day in Indore.

By Chaitanya Prakash

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Matthew Kuhnemann
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Matthew Kuhnemann. (Photo Source: BCCI)

The opening day of the third Test saw another dramatic batting collapse, this time from the home side as they were bowled out for 109 runs inside the first two sessions of the match. Australia, in reply, are in a position of strength thanks to Usman Khawaja's brilliance with the bat.

For the first time in the series, the tourists are in a position of considerable strength after dominating India in all departments on the opening day of the Indore Test. After restricting the home side to a below-par total of 109 runs in the first innings, the Australian batters showed tremendous grit and determination on a treacherous surface.

Despite losing Travis Head cheaply early in their reply, Australia made a solid start to their innings. Usman Khawaja, who has been one of the better performers with the bat in the series, stitched a decisive 96-run stand with Marnus Labuschagne for the second wicket, eating up the majority of the Indian total.

Labuschagne, who was dismissed of a no-ball by Jadeja, also survived a close LBW call against Ashwin before Jajeja cleaned him up in the post-tea session. The southpaw also accounted for Usman Khawaja, who succumbed to his favoured sweep shot after a brilliant half-century in testing batting conditions. He also prized the big scalp of Steve Smith late in the day.

Australian spinners ran riot with the new ball in the morning session

Earlier in the day, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma got lucky twice in the very first over of the match as Australia decided not to challenge the umpire's on-field call on two occasions. However, it did not cost the tourists too much as the introduction of spin in the sixth over initiated India's batting collapse.

Left-arm spinner Matthew Kuhnemann had Rohit stumped in his first over of the match and returned to dismiss his opening partner Shubman Gill in his very next over. His senior spin bowling partner Nathan Lyon also contributed handsomely with three Indian wickets as India slumped to an embarrassing total of 109 runs in the first innings. 

In spite of a late fightback from the Indian bowlers on the opening day, Australia are firmly placed to gain a significant lead in the first innings, leaving the home side with a mountain to climb on a treacherous surface. Stand-in skipper Steve Smith also deserves a lot of praise for his proactive captaincy, leading to India's demise in the first innings.

Here is how Twitter reacted to Australia's clinical performance on Day 1:

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India vs Australia 2023IndiaAustraliaUsman KhawajaMatthew Kuhnemann