Aussie's control first session despite controversial decision

Jasprit Bumrah won the toss on a humid and overcast morning at a sold-out SCG and bravely decided to bat first on a very green wicket.

The Indian opening pair was without captain Rohit Sharma, who ‘opted out’ of the test match, sparking the question of whether Sharma had played his last test.

India’s other change came with Akash Deep being injured, making room for Prasidh Krishna to help India’s fast bowling stocks.

The Australian lineup had one change with Mitch Marsh dropped for debutant Beau Webster who became the 469th player to wear the Baggy Green.

Mitchell Starc, who came into the test with an injury cloud, struck in his second over when KL Rahul hit a leg glance straight to Sam Konstas at square leg, bringing the score to 1/11.

Then enter Scott Boland, who, in his 4th delivery, caught the edge of the dangerous Yashasvi Jaiswal being caught at 3rd slip by the debutant Webster, leaving India reeling at 2/17, bringing Virat Kohli to the crease.

Then insert the controversy: Kohli’s first ball was edged to second slip where Steve Smith dove to catch it and flicked it up in the air where it was caught at gully by Marnus Labuschagne, and the Aussies went mad in celebration.

But after a lengthy process, third umpire Joel Wilson deemed that although Smith’s fingers were under the ball, the ball did make contact with the ground, and it was given not out.

Kohli was given a life that perhaps he shouldn’t of, and for his team and his own sake, he simply had to go on and make a big score.

A caught and LBW shout just before drinks was sent upstairs by the Australians but was missing the bat and going over the stumps, meaning India were 2/32 at drinks after an eventful first hour.

The second hour of the morning session produced less excitement, with Shubman Gill and Kohli patiently stabilising India to put on a partnership of 40 until the GOAT struck.

In the last ball before lunch, Nathan Lyon caught the edge of the advancing Gill, which was safely caught by Smith at first slip for 20.

So, after winning the toss, India has slumped to 3/57, with Kohli and Rishabh Pant resuming after lunch. But the big headline from the morning session was the controversial not-out decision by the third umpire for Virat Kohli.

Play will resume at 1:10pm local time, where Australia will look to continue their strong start with the ball in hand.

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