Mohammed Siraj drew the first blood in Australia’s innings in only the second over of the first Test at Nagpur’s Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium on Thursday, February 9. After both David Warner and Usman Khawaja played out the first over quietly, Sirja was on fire in the second over from the outset.
Siraj got the ball to move in the air and after pitching on the leg stump, it straightened a bit and came into Khawaja, who was trapped in front of the stumps, however, the umpire decided to go against the appeal. But Siraj wanted the review. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma ran to KS Bharat for confirmation and signalled for DRS.
The replay showed the ball pitching in line with the leg stump but it felt like it could swing down the leg or could be the umpire’s call. However, the ball-tracker showed three reds with the ball hitting a good part of the leg stump. Meanwhile, an Australian website, Fox cricket took to Twitter and questioned the call and got brutally trolled by Indian fans.
"Ball tracker broken? 🤔"
Aussies left stunned just minutes into first Test by "interesting" DRS moment >> https://t.co/7H7qXMDhBX pic.twitter.com/x3tR443KZf
— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) February 9, 2023
Talking about the match, Australia won the toss and decided to bat first. The Indian fast bowlers Mohammed Shami and Siraj started putting pressure on Australia from the very beginning as the Kangaroos lost 2 important wickets in 3 overs. However, Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne handled the tense situation and started batting very well against pacers and spinners as well.
India needs to win the series to qualify for the WTC finals
The start of another India home series began with the pitch becoming the centre of attention. The series is also likely to carry a bit of an edge with India relying on the results to go their way to make it to the final of the Test championship, where they could come up against Australia again. For the visitors, it’s a chance to get even, having lost at home twice to India and with improved shows in the subcontinent against Pakistan and Sri Lanka.
The last time Aussies came to India for Tests we witnessed a fierce battle. Australia stunned India in Pune, but India bounced back brilliantly in Bengaluru in an absolutely intense game on and off the field. Australia dragged a draw in Ranchi but India clinched the crown in Dharamshala. And the bar was raised further with India’s next two visits to Australia with the first (2018-19), resulting in India’s first-ever Test series win in Australia, followed by what is said to be India’s greatest-ever Test series win (2021/22).
Here’s how the fans reacted:
Australian seeing Pacers out of syllabus pic.twitter.com/FfJqvnpJOq
— Prasun Jha (@jprasun21) February 9, 2023
Have some shame? Oh, you guys haven't left any.
— Aditya (@Adityakrsaha) February 9, 2023
That’s how the ball behaves if you don’t use sandpaper.
— Cow Corner (@CowCorner183) February 9, 2023
What’s the confusion? Tracker shows more than half of the ball pitching in line. Tough ball for Khawaja to play, sure. Understandable original decision by the umpire, but also fair review. I don’t know, am I missing something?
— Loosebuschange (@loosebuschange1) February 9, 2023
Ball missed the off stump, but the stump deliberately uprooted itself and dismissed Warner. pic.twitter.com/7hc3WFyTGB
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 9, 2023
— Tom Gravestone (@Whygravestone) February 9, 2023
First you complain about the pitch and now this 🤣
— Gills (@gpricey23) February 9, 2023
Just cry and cry..
— Harsha #HHVM 🇮🇳 (@Harsha4PK) February 9, 2023
