Jasprit Bumrah matches Dale Steyn's feat by dismissing Steve Smith on Day 1 of the BGT 2024-25 Test
Team India's stand-in captain Jasprit Bumrah produced a superlative effort on Day 1 of the Perth Test against Australia on Friday, November 22, to give the visitors the upper hand. The right-arm pacer claimed 4-17 in 10 overs as India reduced the Aussies to 67-7 by stumps after being bowled out for 150 in 49.4 overs.
During a sensational opening spell, Bumrah trapped Steve Smith lbw as the Aussie batter's stay at the crease lasted only one ball. Smith paid the price for his habit of shuffling across as he failed to beat the seam movement and was caught right in front of the wickets.
By getting the wicket of the former Australian captain, Bumrah became only the second bowler after South African pace legend Dale Steyn to dismiss Smith for a golden duck in Test cricket. Steyn had dismissed the Aussie batter for a first-ball duck in Gqeberha in February 2014. On that occasion as well, Smith was trapped leg before by the Proteas pacer.
Bumrah's heroics give India the edge after Day 1 in Perth
After India were bowled out for 150 having decided to bat first after winning the toss, it seemed like Australia had the upper hand in the contest.
Bumrah, however, came out and bowled an inspired spell to reduce the hosts to 19-3 inside seven overs. He trapped debutant Nathan McSweeney (10) lbw and had Usman Khawaja (8) caught at slip before adding the scalp of Smith.
With a little more luck, the Indian captain would have also sent back Marnus Labuschagne for a duck. He induced an edge from the experienced Australian batter only for Virat Kohli to drop a regulation chance at slip. Bumrah, however, returned towards the end of the day's play to dismiss Pat Cummins for three.
The Indian skipper was well supported by Mohammed Siraj, who picked up 2-17 in nine overs. Debutant Harshit Rana also contributed by getting the big wicket of Travis Head (11), knocking him over from round the wicket. Earlier, debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy (41) top-scored for India, while Rishabh Pant scored 37. For Australia, Josh Hazlewood starred with 4-29 from 13 overs.