Chapter 65: Test : Day 1

As the Indian cricket team found themselves in a precarious position at 90/5, with the batting conditions favorable, the stage was set for Nitish to face the daunting challenge of resurrecting the innings. With the Australian bowling attack comprising the formidable trio of Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, and Josh Hazlewood, the pressure was on Nitish to weather the storm and guide his team to a respectable total.

As Nitish walked out to the crease, the stadium erupted with anticipation. The Australian fielders tightened their grip on the ball, sensing an opportunity to further dismantle the Indian batting line-up. The commentators were quick to assess the dire situation, highlighting the impeccable swing bowling skills possessed by the Australian trio.

"Mitchell Johnson, the left-arm speedster, has been a thorn in the side of many batsmen around the world with his fierce pace and lethal swing," exclaimed one of the commentators. "His ability to generate both inswing and outswing consistently makes him a potent weapon against any batting line-up."

The first ball of Johnson's over was a sizzling outswinger, aimed at enticing the batsman into a false stroke. Nitish, however, displayed excellent judgment as he shouldered arms and let the ball sail harmlessly past the off-stump. The crowd sighed with relief, recognizing the maturity and composure shown by the young batsman.

Starc, known for his sheer pace and ability to extract prodigious swing, ran in to bowl from the other end. He bowled a fiery in-swinging delivery that darted towards Nitish's leg stump. Nitish, displaying astute footwork, expertly maneuvered his bat and flicked the ball through the leg side for a boundary. The crowd erupted in applause, acknowledging the skill and precision of the shot.

But the Australian bowlers were relentless. They continued to exploit the swinging conditions, making life difficult for the Indian batsmen. Johnson, in particular, proved to be a menace with his express pace and ability to generate late movement. He set up Murali Vijay, tempting him with a series of outswingers before delivering a venomous inswinger that breached the defenses of the batsman, sending the stumps cartwheeling.

The commentators marveled at the sheer brilliance of the delivery. "That was a beauty! Mitchell Johnson's ability to mix up his swing deliveries has claimed yet another victim. The late movement on that inswinger was simply too much for Vijay to handle."

As the innings progressed, Hazlewood joined the party, displaying his impeccable control and accuracy. He lured Cheteshwar Pujara into a drive with a deceptively full outswinger, only for the ball to shape away at the last moment and find the edge of the bat. The wicketkeeper took a comfortable catch, and Pujara trudged back to the pavilion, visibly disappointed.

The commentary box buzzed with excitement. "Josh Hazlewood strikes! That outswinger was a peach. Pujara couldn't resist the temptation, but the late movement did him in. Australia is firmly in control of this match."

The procession of wickets continued as Starc produced an inswinging delivery that caught Shikhar Dhawan plumb in front of the stumps. Rahane, too, fell victim to Johnson's brilliance as he attempted to fend off a fierce bouncer, only to edge it to the slip cordon. The Indian fans watched in dismay as the scoreboard kept ticking, displaying the growing dominance of the Australian bowlers.

The commentators acknowledged the exceptional skills of the Australian bowling attack. "These bowlers are putting on a masterclass in swing bowling. They are exploiting the conditions to perfection, consistently finding the right areas and generating substantial movement. It's proving to be a nightmare for the Indian batsmen."

As Nitish battled valiantly at the crease, the commentators praised his determination and technique. Despite the mounting pressure and the fall of wickets around him, Nitish displayed a resolute defense, leaving the well-directed deliveries and playing with a straight bat whenever possible. His determination to salvage the innings was evident, and the crowd rallied behind him, sensing a potential turning point.

As the day wore on, Nitish's partnership with Virat Kohli grew, steadily inching India towards a respectable total. The commentators marveled at Nitish's ability to counter the swinging deliveries with his solid technique and astute shot selection.

"Nitish is showing immense maturity beyond his years," commented one of the commentators. "He's playing each ball on its merit, not allowing the swing to unsettle him. It's a testament to his temperament and focus. If India is to make a comeback in this match, Nitish will undoubtedly play a crucial role."

As the first day of the Test match drew to a close, the scoreboard reflected a hard-fought battle between bat and ball. India, after a shaky start, had managed to reach a relatively stable position at 250/5, thanks to the determined partnership between Nitish and Virat Kohli.

The commentators summed up the day's play with enthusiasm. "What an intriguing day of Test cricket we've witnessed," one of them exclaimed. "India, after being in deep trouble early on, has managed to claw their way back into the game. The partnership between Nitish and Virat has been nothing short of exceptional."

Nitish, with his patient and gritty innings, had weathered the storm unleashed by the Australian pace attack. His unbeaten 30 runs off 130 deliveries might not have been the most flamboyant innings, but it showcased his resilience and ability to absorb pressure. His ability to negotiate the swing and hold his end firmly had been instrumental in India's recovery.

The other end was occupied by the reliable and skillful Virat Kohli, who had displayed his class and determination throughout the day. His magnificent century, a well-crafted 120 runs off 212 balls, had propelled India forward and given them a fighting chance in the match.

The commentators showered praise upon Virat. "What a phenomenal innings from the Indian skipper! He has shown immense skill and temperament against the swinging deliveries. His innings has provided a much-needed stability to the Indian batting line-up."

As the day's play concluded, the Indian team walked back to the dressing room with a sense of satisfaction. The partnership between Nitish and Virat had not only salvaged the innings but had also set the stage for a potential fightback on the following day. The Australian bowlers, who had initially posed a significant threat, were now faced with a resolute Indian batting duo.

The TV broadcast captured the essence of the day's play, as the news anchor provided a summary of the action. "After a tumultuous start, India has managed to steady the ship, thanks to the magnificent partnership between Nitish and Virat Kohli. The duo has taken the Indian total to a respectable 250/5 at stumps on day one. The fightback has set the stage for an enthralling second day of the Test match."