WATCH: Harshit Rana falls to terrific catch after tag-team effort during first Test against Australia

Australian cricket team gave the Indian batters no respite with some terrific catching and bowling during the first day in Perth. Debutant Harshit Rana was sent back to the hut thanks to some amazing tag-team effort by Nathan McSweeney and Marnus Labuschagne. The incident happened during the fourth ball of the 47th over with Hazlewood bowling to Rana. 

As the ball flew to the slips, Josh Hazlewood induced an edge off Harshit Rana’s bat. Nathan McSweeney who is also making his debut during the game, saw the ball hit his left hand. Marnus Labuschagne didn’t take his eyes off the ball. Australia’s star batter completed the catch to send India’s batter back to the hut for 7 runs. 

Watch the video here:

🇦🇺#AUSvIND 🇮🇳 #BGT2025
OUT! Harshit Rana's short stay comes to an end! Hazlewood gets the breakthrough, Rana edges one to Labuschagne for 7(5). pic.twitter.com/7cJs9TUxrB

— The Cricket Stories (@thecricstories) November 22, 2024

Harshit Rana had come to the crease at the fall of Rishabh Pant who was dismissed for 37 runs from 78 balls. Pat Cummins dismissed India’s wicketkeeper with Steve Smith taking a simple catch in the slips. 

Team India dismissed for 150 despite Nitish Reddy’s heroics

It was a disappointing start to the five-match series for Jasprit Bumrah led Indian cricket team. The visitors had chose to bat first after winning the toss and gone in with four pacers and a lone spinner in Washington Sundar. Two debut caps were handed out as Nitish Kumar Reddy and Harshit Rana were given a place in the playing XI. 

None of the Indian top order batters could manage to handle the pace and bounce that was there on then wicket. KL Rahul played a gritty knock of 26 off 74 balls before his innings was cut short in controversial fashion. Yashasvi Jaiswal and number 3 batter Devdutt Padikkal were out for ducks. Virat Kohli’s lean form continued as he was out for five. 

Mitchell Marsh was summoned to bowl after lunch and the local lad did well to get two wickets. The 33-year-old got the wickets of Dhruv Jurel for 11 and Washington Sundar for 4 runs. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Rishabh Pant added 48 runs for the 7th wicket in 14.1 overs. Pant played a spectacular shot for six that left skipper Pat Cummins in complete shock. 

Josh Hazlewood ended with figures of 4/29 which also included the scalp of Indian skipper Jasprit Bumrah for 8. The last man to fall was Nitish Reddy who was caught by Usman Khawaja to give Cummins his 2nd wicket. Just two balls earlier the Aussie opener had dropped the catch but made no mistake second time round as India were bowled out for 150.