Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Spinners Help India Take Centre Stage On Day 1

Nagpur: Ace Indian spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin starred as India took firm control of the first Test of a four-match series against Australia in Nagpur on Thursday.

Ravindra Jadeja (5 for 47) and R Ashwin (3 for 42) were the wreckers-in-chief against Australia which helped India bowl out the tourists for 177.

In response, India stood at 77/1 at the end of day one.

Australia are the 34-year-old left-arm spinner’s favourite opponent in Tests. The all-rounder has 68 wickets against them, his most against a single opponent, at an average of 18.16.

This was Jadeja’s 11th five-for in Test cricket, and his fourth five-wicket haul against the tourists.

Amongst his victims was Australia batting star, Steve Smith, who was bowled off a ripsnorter that beat the batter’s defense. Jadeja has now accounted for Smith on five occasions.

Rahul took his time to get going but as he was settling into his innings, lack of concentration cost him his wicket for 20 (71 balls).

Rohit Sharma remained unbeaten on 56 after getting to a free-flowing fifty and was joined by R Ashwin, who was sent in as a nightwatchman after Rahul departed.

Shubman Gill, who had scored a 100 in his last Test, was dropped for the Nagpur Test and the onus was on KL Rahul, the vice-captain to repay the faith of the team management.