Border Gavaskar Trophy: New series, same old batting woes for India

The start of the BGT has put India under the scanner for yet another disappointing outing with the bat. The Border Gavaskar Trophy finally commenced as Jasprit Bumrah opted to bat first at the Perth track. The Perth turf played true to its nature as the fiery track aided the brilliance of Kangaroo pacers, Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood, early on Friday. India's opener, Yashasvi Jaiswal, marking his maiden innings on Australian soil, couldn't sustain the lethal pace attack as he departed within the first half-hour of the game. The young left-handed batter edged a delivery by Starc and handed it to the fielder at gully to be dismissed for an 8-ball duck.

India's batting woes worsen as the top-order stages yet another collapse

The next man in, Devdutt Padikkal, filling in for an injured Shubman Gill, looked uncomfortable throughout his stay at the crease. The batter failed to find footing against Starc and Hazlewood. The lefty eventually fell to Hazlewood as he edged one to the Aussie keeper, Alex Carey. Padikkal's struggle concluded without the batter getting off the mark as the seasoned Australian pacer claimed him for a 23-ball duck. Virat Kohli dashed Indian hopes further as Hazlewood marked his second victim early in the game.

Within the first session, India was left reeling at 32 for 3, with KL Rahul solely holding the fort. However, Rahul was caught behind in a controversial decision, with the evidence of the ball touching the bat seeming inconclusive. Nonetheless, India lost its fourth wicket, and swiftly the fifth and sixth, as Dhruv Jurel and Washington Sundar made little impact on the innings.

Rishabh Pant, with his extraordinary skill to excel Down Under, showed glimpses of brilliance as he steadied the innings. The wicket-keeper batter knitted an impressive partnership with debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy, as India finally reached the 100-run mark. Pant managed 37 off 78 before the Australian skipper drew first blood on the opening day.

Reddy held his own despite Pant's departure. However, with little to no support from Harshit Rana and Jasprit Bumrah from the other end, Reddy wrapped his maiden batting knock at the score of 41 off 59. The Indian innings bundled out for 150 when Hazlewood claimed Reddy as his fourth wicket of the innings. Hazlewood claimed four, while Cummins, Marsh, and Starc scalped two wickets each, as the instability in the Indian batting lineup was left exposed once again.

The absence of skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill is a blow heavy enough to dent India's chances at Perth. However, with Kohli continuing his dry run in the format, the team's batting could sow the seeds for a disappointing start to the Border Gavaskar Trophy Down Under. Rishabh Pant alone cannot bail India out every time the top order fumbles, an instance that has been repeating consistently of late. While Bumrah's brilliance has put India in a favorable position in the Test, an improvement, if not noted soon, within the batting order could hinder India's chances, not only to defend the Border Gavaskar Trophy but also to qualify for the WTC Finals.