India vs Australia: Clarke, Ashwin and DRS star on an even day

On a hot and humid day in Chennai, the 22 yards were the talking point. The pitch looked dry and flat, and is sure to be conducive to turn as the game progresses. Talking of spin, India’s most celebrated off-spinner, Harbhajan Singh took centre-stage, as he became a member of the 100-Test match club.

Australia won the toss, which brought a huge smirk on skipper Michael Clarke’s face. The visitors decided to bat first.

The Indians left out Pragyan Ojha, which was a bit of a surprise, considering his performances against England recently. In 2010, Ojha had a wonderful home series against Australia as well. Harbhajan’s stellar performances against Australia in the past won him the spot of the second spinner.

Ravindra Jadeja’s left-arm spin and batting abilities won him a spot in the playing XI ahead of Ajinkya Rahane.

Moment one: Sloppy bowling and butterfingers

Bhuvneshwar Kumar’s recent exploits with the ball ensured his berth in the team. Kumar was given the new ball. Ishant, who shared the new ball with Kumar, was guilty of bowling an inconsistent line in his second over: short, on the pads and too full outside the off-stump. He was taken for 13 runs.

Kumar went for a couple of boundaries in his second over, and all of a sudden, openers Ed Cowan and David Warner looked set for big scores.

Harbhajan was brought into the attack in the sixth over, and Mahendra Singh Dhoni looked out of ideas. Ravichandran Ashwin induced an edge off Warner in his first over, but Virender Sehwag fumbled the easy chance at first slip. In Ashwin’s next over, Dhoni missed a tough stumping chance off Warner.

The Murphy’s Law was chasing the Indians, and the Australians were running away with the game.

Moment two: Ashwin – India’s lone warrior

Ashwin, India’s most proficient spinner, was getting a lot of purchase off the wicket. The bounce, the turn and the dip confounded the Australians, but at times Ashwin drifted the ball onto the pads to give away easy singles behind square leg.

Ashwin struck the first blow when he induced a false stroke from Ed Cowan, and then took Phil Hughes’ wicket to give India an opening in the game.

Post-lunch, Ashwin grabbed Shane Watson’s wicket in his first over. In his next over, Warner misjudged Ashwin’s fullish delivery and was caught plumb in front. The tall off-spinner was planting a lot of doubts in the minds of the batsman. Clarke struggled at the start of his innings.

Ashwin then took Matthew Wade’s wicket, and Australia were reeling at 153 for five. Ashwin looked like getting wickets every time he bowled, unlike Harbhajan and the other bowlers.

Ashwin got the wicket of Henriques, and hoped to get more support from the other end. A six-wicket haul on the first day, it was a special performance from Ashwin, who was under some pressure after faring poorly against England at home.

Moment three: Decision Review System, we miss you!

Just a few moments before tea, Ashwin appealed fervently for a bat-pad catch. The replays showed a big inside-edge. Umpire Kumar Dharmasena had made a big blunder.

For the umpteenth time, the DRS issue was the talking point on social networking sites, and the experts too had polarized views on the same.

Clarke was batting on 39 when he was reprieved.

Moment four: Henriques has a promising debut

At 153 for five, India had a debutant at the crease. But Henriques displayed some fine temperament and composure to weather the storm. Being a member of the New South Wales team, Henriques has played most of his cricket on the Sydney track. He looked comfortable against the ball that spun, the ones that occasionally kept low and those which bounced as well.

Along with Clarke, the debutant stitched a partnership of 151 runs to resurrect the Australian innings. He missed his century on debut as Ashwin got him out. However, it was an excellent innings under pressure from Henriques.

Moment five: Business as usual for captain Clarke

On the opening day of the match, Clarke proved his skills against the spinning and reverse-swinging ball. He was calm and never looked like getting hassled by the proceedings. He was lucky to survive a bat-pad appeal, but that was a minor glitch in his otherwise chance-less innings.

Clarke brought up yet another hundred with a lofted drive. The confidence was exuding. Clarke is still batting, and India would love to get him out as soon as possible.