India vs Australia: Will Pucovski and Marnus Labuschagne shine on rain-curtailed Day 1


India vs Australia: Will Pucovski and Marnus Labuschagne shine on rain-curtailed Day 1
Will Pucovski and Marnus Labuschagne

On a day when just 55 overs were possible to be bowled due to rain in Sydney, the Australian batsmen held firm and stayed positive throughout to finish on 166/2 in the third Test. After Australia elected to bat first earlier, India got off to a dream start as Mohammed Siraj removed the returning David Warner for just 5 runs.

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However, India were made to work hard for their next wicket with debutant Will Pucovski and Marnus Labuschagne forging together an assured partnership. India toiled hard and had chances but couldn’t take them either side of lunch as rain played spoilsport to cut short the day.

Navdeep Saini dismisses Will Pucovski

Navdeep Saini

Just as the partnership between Pucovski and Labuschagne reached a 100, debutant Navdeep Saini provided the breakthrough for India by trapping his fellow debutant in front. The out-of-form Steve Smith then joined Labuschagne and displayed intent and confident to put off the Indian bowlers. The two were involved in an unbeaten stand of runs.

At the end of the day, Australia reached 166/2. With rain forecast for two more days and Australia having seized the advantage on Day 1, India will look to make a comeback in the match on Day 2.

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Scores

Australia – 1st innings

BatsmanMode of DismissalRunsBalls
Will Pucovskilbw b Saini62110
David Warnerc Pujara b Siraj58
Marnus Labuschagnenot out67149
Steve Smithnot out3164

Total – 166/2 in 55 overs

BowlerOversRunsWickets
Jasprit Bumrah14300
Mohammed Siraj14461
Ravichandran Ashwin17560
Navdeep Saini7321
Ravindra Jadeja320

Also Read: India vs Australia: Watch how Twitter critiques Rishabh Pant after he dropped Will Pucovski catch