Share

Starc, Hazlewood strike early

Pune - Mitchell Starc claimed the prized scalp of Virat Kohli for a duck as Australia restricted India to 70 for three at lunch on day two of the first Test in Pune on Friday.

Kohli's dismissal silenced the crowd and marked a rare failure for the Indian skipper who has hit four double centuries since July last year. Kohli's last duck in a Test was against England in August 2014.

Starc, who hit a gritty 61 in Australia's first innings of 260, took two wickets in the space of three deliveries as the tourists made decisive early inroads into the Indian batting line-up.

However Lokesh Rahul stood firm and was unbeaten on 47 at the break, batting alongside Ajinkya Rahane who has so far made six.

Starc's fellow pace bowler Josh Hazlewood made the first breakthrough for Australia by dismissing Murali Vijay for 10 in his first over.

Rahul and Cheteshwar Pujara (6) tried to steady the innings but Starc came back strong in his second spell to reduce the hosts to 44-3.

After getting Pujara caught behind off a sharp rising delivery, Starc then got Kohli to edge a wide delivery to first slip where he was comfortably caught by Peter Handscomb.

Left-arm spinner Steve O'Keefe, who opened the bowling alongside Starc, was largely ineffective on a pitch that has offered turn from the off.

Meanwhile Matt Renshaw, who top-scored for the visitors with 68 after an upset tummy on Thursday, went off the field again after feeling nauseous in the Pune heat and Glenn Maxwell came on as a substitute fielder.

Earlier Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin ended Starc's overnight resistance as the visitors were bowled out in the first over of the day.

Starc, who smashed six boundaries and three sixes during his 63-ball blitz, could only add four runs to his overnight score before giving away a catch to mid-wicket for 61.

The match is the first in a four-Test series between the world's two top-ranked sides.


We live in a world where facts and fiction get blurred
Who we choose to trust can have a profound impact on our lives. Join thousands of devoted South Africans who look to News24 to bring them news they can trust every day. As we celebrate 25 years, become a News24 subscriber as we strive to keep you informed, inspired and empowered.
Join News24 today
heading
description
username
Show Comments ()
Voting Booth
Should Siya Kolisi keep the captaincy as the Springboks build towards their World Cup title defence in 2027?
Please select an option Oops! Something went wrong, please try again later.
Results
Yes! Siya will only be 36 at the next World Cup. He can make it!
26% - 1273 votes
No! I think the smart thing to do is start again with a younger skipper ...
29% - 1470 votes
I'd keep Siya captain for now, but look to have someone else for 2027.
45% - 2249 votes
Vote
Editorial feedback and complaints

Contact the public editor with feedback for our journalists, complaints, queries or suggestions about articles on News24.

LEARN MORE