| Scorecard: | India v Australia |
| Player: | G Gambhir, SR Tendulkar, V Sehwag, A Kumble, B Lee, MG Johnson |
| Event: | Australia in India 2008/09 |
DateLine: 29th October 2008
Anil Kumble would be extremely pleased with the way things panned out at the end of the first day.All the talks of Dhoni should be made the captain that was doing the rounds would be put to rest at least for the time being.The fact that India finished the day at 296 for 3 should please him no end.
Brilliant innings
Gambhir came up with an outstanding knock.To score 149 out of 296 on the first day was an extraordinary achievement.He scored on both sides of the wicket.About 50% of the teams runs against the Aussies is no mean achievement.He saw his partner Sehwag go early to Lee.Rahul chased a wide one to be caught in the slips of Johnson.Once again he fell to the same trap that was set in Australia.But Gambhir made sure that he hung in along with Sachin and made sure that there were no further hiccups.He initially was subdued with Sachin becoming the aggressor.But post tea he along with Laxman tore into the Aussie attack and made sure that India had the upper hand going into day two.
Good Partnerships
Earlier in the day Australia after the initial breakthroughs , Australia ran into Sachin who played like a man possessed. He was extremely aggressive right from the word go and got India out of the hole they found themselves in.He played on the up and made sure that Gambhir could take his time. He dominated the bowling till he was out just at the stroke of tea getting caught behind of Johnson.
Then it was almost a run feast after tea when Laxman joined Gambhir and Aussies were on a leather hunt.They scored at four an over and made sure that India seized the initiative at the end of day 1.Gambhir went on to get back to back 100's in the series and his stroke play was a treat to watch.He along with Sachin and then Laxman, was involved in two back to back partnerships of 100+ making sure that India were in the drivers seat . That is what Anil would have wanted after winning the toss.