IndvsAus: Australia bundled for 300 as Kuldeep runs rampant

Dharamsala: The day belonged to Kuldeep Yadav who came, crushed and dominated the Australian batting, bundling it out for 300 on Day 1 of the fourth and final Test of the four-match series here at Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association Stadium on Saturday. India was 0/0 at stumps.

Unorthodox bowler Kuldeep remained phenomenal throughout the day hurting Aussie batting order badly. He was the prime charm with bowling figures 4/68 at the end of Day 1.

Also read: IndvsAus: Meet India’s first chinaman bowler Kuldeep Yadav

Opting to bat first, Australia faced an early setback with the wicket of Matt Renshaw at 1. Then came the only big partnership for Australia between David Warner and Steven Smith who shared 134-run stand. Kuldeep Yadav broke the partnership by dismissing Warner (57) as his first wicket in his International career. Smith became R Ashwin's prey at 111.

This was Smith’s 20^th ton which was studded with 14 fours while Warner's 57-run knock was laced with eight fours and a single six. Mathew Wade also hit a fifty.

Other Indian bowlers including Ashwin, Jadeja and Bhuvneshwar claimed one wicket each while Umesh gave two blows to Kangaroos.

Earlier, chinaman bowler Kuldeep was given the first Test cap by former spinner Laxman Sivaramkrishnan. Skipper Kohli failed to play the series-decider owing to his shoulder injury. This is for the first time when Ajinkya Rahane is leading the Indian side.