India produced a brilliant performance to take an early command in the first Test. At the end of Day 1, India posted 77/1 in response to Australia’s 177. India skipper Rohit Sharma remained unbeaten on 56 while nightwatchman Ravichandran Ashwin is yet to get off the mark. Earlier, Ravindra Jadeja announced his international return with an excellent spin bowling performance, recording his 11th Test fifer.

On a dusty pitch, Indian pacers Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami gave their side an early breakthrough, removing Usman Khawaja (1) and David Warner (1). Shami bowled an absolute peach delivery to clean up Warner. But the world’s top two Test batters Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith steadied the Australian ship with an 82-run stand.

However, Jadeja brought India back into the game by picking up two wickets in two balls. Jadeja bowled a flighted delivery that spin away from Labuschagne’s (49) bat, and wicket-keeper KS Bharat collected the ball in a flash to whip off the bails. Moments later, Jadeja bowled out smith for 37.

However, Alex Carey and Peter Handscomb stitched a counter-attacking partnership to put pressure back on India. Ashwin gave the much-needed breakthrough by dismissing Carey (36), his 450th Test wicket. Both the spinners ran through the Australian lower order and finished off things quickly.

India in response got off to a strong start as Rohit smashed three boundaries in the first over bowled by Australia captain Pat Cummins. Rohit hit the Australian bowlers all around the park while KL Rahul batted slowly. However, Rahul (20) became Todd Murphy’s first international wicket in the penultimate over of the day. India still trail by 100 runs.