3 things Australia need to do right to dominate Day 2 of 1st BGT 2024-25 Test
The opening day of the first Test between Australia and India in the Border Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 was completely action-packed, with both teams giving each other a tough time.
Winning the toss at Perth, India elected to bat first. The visitors lost early wickets and failed to recover as the Australian pacers were breathing fire. KL Rahul (26), Rishabh Pant (37), and debutant Nitish Reddy (41) were the only batters who showed some resilience.
Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Marsh were all among wickets as they ran through India's batting, bundling them out for just 150 runs. However, the visitors were up for the fight, reducing the hosts to 67/7 at the end of the day's play.
Picking up early wickets and setting the tone, Jasprit Bumrah led from the front, with solid support from Mohammed Siraj and Harshit Rana, scripting an incredible fightback as pacers from either side dominated.
Australia are now 83 runs behind with just three wickets in hand. That said, the game is in the balance and perfectly set up for another day of enthralling cricket moving forward.
After an equally balanced opening day for both teams, here is what the hosts will have to do right if they are to dominate the proceedings on Day 2.
#3 Australia will have to bat positively and not just aim for survival
After their bowlers put up a terrific show, Australia's batters struggled against India's pace attack. The likes of Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, and Travis Head were all dismissed cheaply in what turned out to be an absolute nightmare.
Alex Carey, ending the day unbeaten on 19 off 28 deliveries, showed resistance along with intent. Giving him company in the middle at the moment is Mitchell Starc, unbeaten on 6 with Nathon Lyon and Josh Hazlewood to follow.
The hosts are still 83 runs behind India's first-innings total with just three wickets remaining. Coming out on Day 2, they will have their task cut out and will have to bat positively rather than looking to just survive. They will have to ensure that they get as close as possible to India's total, or possibly go beyond and gain whatever lead they can.
It will be upon Carey to bat long and Starc, along with Lyon and Hazlewood, will have to provide him with able support at the crease.
#2 Pick up early wickets and put India under pressure once again
Australia's bowlers were on the target right from the word go on the opening day. They troubled the Indian batters, making their lives extremely difficult at the crease. While there was movement on offer, the Australian pacers made sure to get their lines and lengths right to exploit the conditions.
They picked up wickets early on and rarely let loose, keeping India under constant pressure. Hazlewood grabbed four wickets while Starc, Cummins, and Marsh picked up two apiece.
With the hosts still behind by 83 runs and just three wickets remaining, it is unlikely that their first innings will last for long on Day 2 after the resumption. With the possibility of India gaining a first-innings lead, or having not too many runs to catch up to before they take the lead, Australia's pacers will have to be on the money once again.
They will have to pick up quick wickets when India come out to bat again on Day 2 if they are to dominate play and stay ahead in the contest.
#1 Hold Josh Hazlewood for Rishabh Pant
Josh Hazlewood led Australia's charge on Day 1, returning with figures of 4/29 from his 13 overs. He accounted for the wickets of Devdutt Padikkal and Virat Kohli upfront, putting India on the backfoot early on in their innings.
Hazlewood was undoubtedly the best bowler for the hosts on the opening day at Perth. They will expect him to repeat his performance when the Indian batters walk out to bat once again.
The main threat to the hosts is expected to be Rishabh Pant. Pant was among India's top scorers on Day 1, scoring 37 runs off 78 deliveries with three fours and a six, which helped them get to the 150-mark.
Pant has excelled against Australia more often than not and has always shown positive intent irrespective of the conditions. If Australia are to get Pant out early and negate his threat, they will have to hold Josh Hazlewood for him.