Despite having won the toss, Australia’s decision to bat first backfired as the Indian bowlers restricted them for 256/9 on the Day 1 of the first Test at the MCA Stadium, Pune on Thursday.
The Indian pace attack, spearheaded by Umesh Yadav dominated the Kangaroos through the day. Yadav claimed four big wickets while the Indian spinners too popped up at key intervals to break threatening partnerships.
Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin claimed two wickets each, while Jayant Yadav dismissed Shaun Marsh (16) in the middle-order to join the carnival.
Australian opener Renshaw was the highest scorer for the visitors (68 runs off 156 balls) and he hit 10 fours and a six during his steady innings.
Renshaw also became the youngest batsman (20 years, 332 days) to score a fifty-plus knock in India. Teh feat was earlier held by 22-year-old Rick Darling of Australia.
Other than Renshaw, the Australian top-order largely disappointed and was unable to build on their starts to fashion a big innings.
David Warner (38) was the first victim, who lost his wicket early in the 28th over, while captain Steve Smith (27) too lost his wicket cheaply.
Yadav appeared in great shape since the start and concluded his day with second best figures in Test (4/32). His earlier best was (5/93), also against Australia back in 2012 in Perth.
Tailenders Mitchell Starc (57*) and Josh Hazlewood (1*) remained at the crease at stumps at the edn of Day 1.
Scoring five fours and three sixes, Starc, who came to bat at number eight, steadied the Australian innings as he added 51 runs with Hazlewood for the 10th-wicket partneship.
