3 things India need to do right to dominate Day 2 of 1st BGT 2024-25 Test
Day 1 of the first Border-Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) Test between Australia and India in Perth saw a record-breaking 17 wickets fall on Friday, November 22. This was the most number of wickets to have fallen on the first day of a Test in Australia since 1952.
India opted to bat first but could barely sustain themselves in front of a raging Australian seam bowling attack. Josh Hazlewood led the way for the hosts and picked up 4-29 to bundle the visitors out for 150.
Nitish Kumar Reddy (41) impressed on debut with his aggressive batting, while Rishabh Pant (37) played the role of a good foil to the former. KL Rahul (26) was the next-highest scorer for India.
Australia, in reply, were all at sea against Jasprit Bumrah and company and ended the day at 67-7. The Indian captain led the way with an impressive spell of 4-17. Alex Carey (19*) and Mitchell Starc (6*) were at the crease when stumps were drawn.
In this listicle, we take a look at three things that India need to do right to dominate Day 2 of the first BGT Test:
#1 Bowl Australia out as quickly as possible
The most important thing India have to do on Day 2 is bowl according to their plan. Their batters put up a flop show on Day 1, and hence, all the pressure for India to redeem themselves fell upon their bowlers.
With two out of the four seamers making their debut (Harshit Rana and Nitish Kumar Reddy), India will bank upon the experience that skipper Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj have.
Bumrah will have a vital role to play on Day 2 given that he is the leader of the pack and has tasted success in Australia before. Siraj too is an experienced customer on these shores and will have to bowl tight lines.
The Indian captain has responded superbly with a four-wicket haul already, and the next job for him will be to pick up the wicket of Alex Carey. India have to bowl the hosts out as quickly as possible to gain a huge lead.
#2 Be aggressive in field placements
Bumrah will have the double role of leading India in this match, and he has to be proactive in field placements as well. He cannot afford to get distracted in his own bowling and overlook field placements.
India will have to be sharp on the field and make the most of all the chances coming their way. They cannot let any chances slip past them given that both Carey and Mitchell Starc are no mugs with the bat.
India cannot take these Aussie batters lightly and hope that they will get rolled over early on Saturday. The visitors have to keep bowling in the right areas and field well and not rest until all ten Australian wickets have fallen.
Slip catching will have to be crucial for India on Day 2, and their fielders have to be on their toes at all times. Another major aspect that they have to work on is keeping a positive frame of mind and encouraging each other on all occasions.
#3 Bat with intent
While the pitch was not conducive for stroke-making in the first session of play on Day 1, several batters such as Dhruv Jurel, Rishabh Pant and Reddy showed in glimpses what could have been achieved had India done so with intent.
On Day 2, when they get to bat, India need to be positive in both attack and defense, and look to play each ball under their eyes. If they keep their hands close to their body, they will also reduce their chances of nicking the ball.
India need to be positive at all times and hope to bat in an aggressive fashion. If they become defensive, they will lose their chance to come back into this game and build a big lead which can help them get a chance of winning.