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Umesh Yadav gave a brilliant exhibition of reverse swing bowling on Day 1 of the Pune Test between India and Australia before Mitchell Starc's half-century helped the visitors reach a competitive 256/9 at stumps on Day 1.
Nishant Arora wraps the three sessions of the day for you, in one quick video.
Shane Warne in his morning pitch report said the Pune pitch looked like a fifth day wicket, and that’s how it really is; dry and abrasive. The ball is turning sharply and on a wicket like this, what happens mostly, is that spinners take a little time to adjust their line and length.
The ball was turning sharply and consistently beating the bat but the bowlers didn't need it to turn that much, that the ball keeps beating the bat but doesn't take the edge. Just need it to turn enough that it kisses the edge and finds its way to a fielder waiting right behind.
I think that is what happened. In the second session, Indians were much smarter. Look at the areas they bowled, how consistently they bowled. In the first session, they gave away 84 runs. In the second session, they came back strongly; 30 overs and just 69 runs. They created some pressure and that was the reason we saw Steve Smith and Shaun Marsh play aggressive shots because of which they lost their wickets.
Full marks to Indian bowlers, specially Ravindra Jadeja. He is going to be a very dangerous bowler on this kind of wicket. Sometimes Jadeja himself does not know which ball of his will turn and which will keep straight.
That is what happened with both the wickets(Handscomb & M Marsh) he got. Both batsmen played for turn and there was none, and they were found right in front of the stumps.
One must mention Umesh Yadav, he is the most improved fast bowler of India, specially in the last one year or so where he has added a few new tricks up his sleeve. He is a master of reverse swing and he really bowls in those areas where it becomes difficult for batsmen when the odd ball is keeping low or bouncing from nowhere.
Australia were saved by Mitchell Starc’s long handle, passing the 250-run mark. They will however be disappointed to be in this position, considering the start they had.
India would like to wrap things quickly on Day 2 because they will remember that they will bat last on this wicket, which will not be easy.
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