Kotla Test, Day 1: India vs Australia

On a 'third-day' wicket in Delhi, Australia won the toss yet again and were in familiar territory yet again as Indian bowlers ran riot on Day 1 of the 4th and final Test. Australia's lower-order though fought back with vengeance to thwart India's charge somewhat. India is looking for a clean sweep while Australia would want to save face. (BCCI Image)

While Ajinkya Rahane was handed a debut by India in place of injured Shikhar Dhawan, Australia brought in a fresh captain, their 44th, in Shane Watson. Australia also made 4 other changes apart from the Clarke-Watson swap. James Pattinson, Mitchell Johnson, Matthew Wade and Glenn Maxwell got a game while Mitchell Starc (injury), Xavier Doherty, Brad Haddin and Moises Henriques did not play. (BCCI Image)

Australia started on a disastrous note, this time Ishant Sharma the chief destructor. He got the dangerous David Warner for a duck, caught by Virat Kohli at slip. (BCCI Image)

Phil Hughes, already well under the scanner, then counter-attacked to rattle India. Ed Cowan meanwhile stayed calm as ever. Hughes scored a quick-fire 45 off 59 balls before becoming Ishant's second victim. (BCCI Image)

At lunch, the visitors were pretty much where they would have liked to be. Captain Shane Watson and Ed Cowan were at the crease and probably the best session to bat beckoned. R Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja had other ideas though.
Ashwin bowled Cowan round the legs and Jadeja got Watson stumped to continue getting 'skippers' out. (BCCI Image)

With their tails up, Jadeja and Ashwin then smelt 'blood'. Matthew Wade, probably unlucky, Glenn Maxwell and Mitchell Johnson were snapped up by the Indian spin twins in a matter of few overs to give huge advantage to the hosts. (BCCI Image)

Steve Smith, who had impressed all and sundry in the Mohali Test, was at his best again. His mix of aggression and defence defied Indian spinners. Smith and Peter Siddle added 53 runs together before the former was take an forward short leg by debutant Rahane off Ashwin. He looked extremely disappointed but for the dismissal mode and not the decision. (BCCI Image)

Peter Siddle and James Pattinson then joined hands to defy India yet again with some solid lower-order resistance. Australia ended Day 1 on 231/8 with Siddle (47* of 125 balls) and Starc (11* off 57 balls). (BCCI Image)