Perth Test: 10 unplayable balls in Jasprit Bumrah's spell from hell

Jasprit Bumrah's fiery 4/17 spell as stand-in captain salvaged India's position after a dismal batting display on Day 1 of the Perth Test, leaving Australia reeling at 67/7 and showcasing his brilliance as a leader and bowler.

In Short

• Bumrah dismissed Steve Smith for a golden duck in Perth Test
• Mohammed Siraj and Harshit Rana supported Bumrah with crucial breakthroughs
• Bumrah dismissed Khawaja and Smith in successive deliveries

10 overs. 3 maidens and 4 wickets. With India’s batting unit crumbling on Day 1 of the Perth Test against Australia, Jasprit Bumrah showcased exemplary leadership by spearheading a fiery comeback with the ball. Standing in as captain in Rohit Sharma’s absence, Bumrah delivered a stunning spell, leaving Australia reeling at 67/7 by stumps.

After winning the toss and electing to bat, Bumrah’s decision seemed precarious as India’s top order struggled on a challenging Perth pitch and against a disciplined Australian bowling unit. Star players Virat Kohli, Yashasvi Jaiswal, and KL Rahul failed to establish partnerships, leaving the team in tatters. A composed 41 from debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy and a gritty 37 from Rishabh Pant helped India scrape to 150 before being bowled out, with Josh Hazlewood delivering a lethal few spells for Australia.

AUS vs IND, Perth Test Day 1: Highlights

When it was India’s turn to bowl, Bumrah knew the importance of striking early to counterbalance the batting debacle. Using his vast experience and tactical acumen, Bumrah unleashed a spell of unrelenting accuracy and pace, utilising the spicy Perth pitch to full effect. Within six overs, he dismissed both Australian openers, Nathan McSweeny and Usman Khawaja, sending a clear message that India was far from defeated.

The pivotal moment came when Bumrah sent Steve Smith back for a golden duck, dismantling one of Australia’s most reliable pillars and swinging momentum firmly India’s way. This inspired his bowling unit, with Mohammed Siraj's 2/17 and debutant Harshit Rana's 1/33 ensuring Australia’s middle order had no room to recover.

Bumrah pushed himself hard, brining him back into the attack for two 2-over bursts in the final hour or the day's play. The move worked as he knocked over Pat Cummins, who can frustrate opposition attacks, to help India finish the opening day on a high.

Top 10 unplayable deliveries from Bumrah's Perth Day 1 spell

0.3 - Bumrah to McSweeny: The debutant Australia opener got the first glimpse of a bowler at the peak of his prowess. He was lucky to have not nicked the seam-up delivery which took a swift drift away from the off-stump line. The peach set up the tempo of the game from the very start.

2.3 - WICKET!! Bumrah to McSweeny: This time, the India skipper gets his man! A full-length delivery pitching outside off, close to the fifth stump, cuts back in and thuds into the pad. Originally given not out but a DRS intervention gave the visitors their first breakthrough.

2.5 - Bumrah to Marnus Labuschangne: Dropped by Kohli at the second slip. A good length delivery angled in straightened after pitching to kiss the edge of the bat and fly to the second slip. Labuschagne was forced to play at it, but Kohli dropped a sitter, offering the batter a lifeline when he was on 0.

2.6 - Bumrah to Labuschagne: More pressure on Labuschagne as another length-ball, angled in, decked away from the Australia batter. Labuschagne did well to not edge it.

6.4 - WICKET!! Bumrah to Usman Khawaja: Another thick edge and this time, Kohli grabs it at second slip. A brilliant ploy as Bumrah comes around the wicket and gets a length ball to nip away from the left-hander. The seam movement tabgled Khawaja, who had to walk back without troubling the scorers much.

6.5 - Bumrah to Steve Smth: 2 in 2! Bumrah sent Steve Smith straight back to the dressing room for a golden duck with a brilliant 141 kmph delivery. Slightly fuller than the one that dismissed Khawaja, the ball dipped sharply and seamed in towards the middle stump. Smith, unable to read the delivery in time, was struck on the pad before he could react.

6.6 - Bumrah to Travis Head: Bumrah bowls right in the blockhole to Travis Head in a bid to get his second Test hat-trick. Head somehow managed to keep it away. By then, the Australian batters looked evidently under pressure, taken aback by the genius of Bumrah.

8.4 - Bumrah to Labuschagne: With his tail up, Bumrah banged one into the pitch and got it to nip back sharply. Labuschagne didn't get the time to put bat to ball. He took a blow to his belly. It was a painful one!

24.2 - WICKET! Bumrah to Pat Cummins: Captain vs Captain and Bumrah had the last laugh. He bowled it fuller and invited the expansive drive. Cummins fell into the trap and got a thick edge, which was taken by Rishabh Pant.

24.4 - Bumrah to Mitchell Starc: and this time the star-pacer goes round the wicket after bowling four deliveries from the other end. A good-length delivery to the left-hander and it nipped away after pitching. Starc was lucky not to be Bumrah's fifth victim of the day.