Usman Khawaja’s brilliant century guided Australia to 255/4 in 90 overs at Stumps on Day 1 of the fourth and final Test in Ahmedabad. Khawaja played with excellent composure to bring up his 14th Test ton and kept his side in a strong position with a glorious unbeaten knock of 104. All-rounder Cameron Green remained unbeaten at 49. For India, Mohammed Shami starred with the ball, picking up two wickets.

Opted to bat first, Australia had luck on their side as KS Bharat dropped a straight-forward catch of Travis Head when he was just on 7. Head and Khawaja showed positive and added 61 runs for the first wicket before Ravichandran Ashwin scalped Head for 32.

A few moments later, the world’s top-ranked Marnus Labuschagne failed to make an impact and departed for just 3 as Shami cleaned him up with an absolute ripper.

Khawaja and the Aussie captain Steve Smith steadied their ship by stitching a 79-run partnership for the third wicket. Ravindra Jadeja bowled a brilliant delivery to bowl out Smith who batted well for his 38.

Batting at no. 5, Peter Handscomb looked comfortable but a peach of a delivery by Shami sent the stump flying and Handscomb walked back after scoring 17 off 27 balls. Green restored the visitor’s stability with a good partnership with Khawaja, which also saw the opener get to his century. Khawaja became the first Australian to score a Test hundred in India after Smith in 2017. India will look to bounce back strongly by picking up quick wickets on Day 2.