The opening day of the fourth test yielded little highlights except for Usman Khawaja's century.
From start to finish, the Australian batsman looked comfortable out their on the pitch, playing strong strokes and at his own pace.
Travis Head, Steve Smith and Peter Handscomb all had starts into their innings but unfortunately fell short for the visitors.
India battled hard in the tough conditions at Ahmedebad, claiming four wickets.
However, youngster Cameron Green started making trouble and joined Khawaja on the act and currently sits 49 not out.
The Sporting News had all the live scores, analysis and talking points throughout the day's play below.
India vs Australia 4th Test live scores
AUSTRALIA (1st Innings) | 255/4 Cameron Green 49* (64) Usman Khawaja 104* (251) |
INDIA (1st Innings) |
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India vs Australia Day 1 talking points and analysis
Khawaja's 14th 100 one to remember.
Khawaja's century in the fourth test is one to remember, as the Aussie batsman was there on day one from start to finish.
💯 UZZIE GIVES THE AUSSIES A FIRST TON THIS TOUR 💯
— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) March 9, 2023
No-one has scored more Test runs over the last 14 months. All class and what a superstar, putting Australia on top after day one. #INDvAUS
REPORT/VIDEO: https://t.co/iQGzbYgbcw pic.twitter.com/JeH2f6Y4Mm
The 36-year-old was a brick wall and looked to be in control for the entire day, not allowing India to get a sniff as he ground out a terrific innings.
“There was a lot of emotion in that,” Khawaja said at stumps.
“I’ve been to India two tours before this, and I carried the drinks for all eight Test matches. It was a long journey.
“To finally get a hundred in India, as an Australian, that’s what you want to do, it’s what you want to tick off, so it’s very special.”
The Australian batsman now sits atop the leaderboard for most runs in the series with 257 runs and counting, ahead of Rohit Sharma.
Khawaja with Australia's first century of the series! 👏
— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) March 9, 2023
📺 Watch #INDvAUS on Ch. 501 or stream via @kayosports https://t.co/NkIijCyeoL
📝 BLOG https://t.co/9YQujyQnHf
📲 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/kNZIOukVkJ pic.twitter.com/K7BUf8iNOf
Khawaja finding the gaps!
— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) March 9, 2023
📺 Watch #INDvAUS on Ch. 501 or stream via @kayosports https://t.co/NkIijCyeoL
📝 BLOG https://t.co/9YQujyQnHf
📲 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/kNZIOukVkJ pic.twitter.com/4Khh6xQz0Z
Early opportunities missed as Head, Khawaja survive
The beginning of the fourth test was strange to say the least as the opening over from Mohammed Shami saw the ball go everywhere.
Shami's 1st over was a little bit all over the place!
— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) March 9, 2023
📺 Watch #INDvAUS on Ch. 501 or stream via @kayosports https://t.co/NkIijCyeoL
📝 BLOG https://t.co/9YQujyQnHf
📲 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/kNZIOukVkJ pic.twitter.com/10VugxFyF9
Australia won the toss and sent India to field, with the home side hoping to put the pressure on from the get-go.
Travis Head and Usman Khawaja were sent in to nullify the new ball and help set the Aussies up in the final test.
However, India gave themselves two opportunities that they wished they had their time again.
One was a dropped catch, with wicketkepper Srikar Bharat putting down one of the easiest chances in his career.
Missed opportunity for India! 🤦♂️
— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) March 9, 2023
📺 Watch #INDvAUS on Ch. 501 or stream via @kayosports https://t.co/NkIijCyeoL
📝 BLOG https://t.co/9YQujyQnHf
📲 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/kNZIOukVkJ pic.twitter.com/eHRQg40QkQ
Not long after, India had a chance to run out Khawaja after some brilliant fielding but missed the stumps.
So close for India! 😱😱
— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) March 9, 2023
📺 Watch #INDvAUS on Ch. 501 or stream via @kayosports https://t.co/NkIijCyeoL
📝 BLOG https://t.co/9YQujyQnHf
📲 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/kNZIOukVkJ pic.twitter.com/yyFWYUpMQi
Now the Aussie batters look comfortable on the pitch and could see India rue the opportunities missed.
Did Albanese, Modi's attendance in Ahmedabad impact the players?
Did the bizarre pre-match impact the players nerves early?
— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) March 9, 2023
📺 Watch #INDvAUS on Ch. 501 or stream via @kayosports https://t.co/NkIijCyeoL
📝 BLOG https://t.co/9YQujyQnHf
📲 MATCH CENTRE https://t.co/kNZIOukVkJ pic.twitter.com/MKaomYk1zG
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese and Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi were spotted in Ahmedabad on Thursday.
Journeying to India for a political event, the attendance of Albanese and as well as Modi simply overshadowed the opening day of the final test, which takes places at the Narendra Modi Stadium (named after the Prime Minister).
Celebrating 75 years of friendship though cricket with Indian Prime Minister @narendramodi 🇦🇺🇮🇳 pic.twitter.com/gk3m3XzEBe
— Anthony Albanese (@AlboMP) March 9, 2023
The pair participated in an opening ceremony before the toss whereby a dance routine was conducted along with a performance from Falguni Shah.
Both Australia and India were unable to warm-up on the field whilst the ceremony took place and were forced into the nets.
The Prime Ministers were then driven around the ground which delayed the toss and then proceeded to present captains from both sides, seen shaking hands with all the players.
A special welcome & special handshakes! 👏
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 9, 2023
The Honourable Prime Minister of India, Shri Narendra Modiji and the Honourable Prime Minister of Australia, Mr Anthony Albanese meet #TeamIndia & Australia respectively. @narendramodi | @PMOIndia | #TeamIndia | #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/kFZsEO1H12
Albanese was seen singing the national anthem with Steve Smith and the Australians, as was Modi with the Indian side.
However, one tweeter saw the actions as "weird" while another comment mentioned "cringe".
We get it - Our Albo is meeting Modi in India at Ahmedabad, and that’s great for international diplomacy and the relationship with the two countries. But standing next to the players as they sing the anthem prior to a Test match? Nah, it’s just weird. #INDvAUS
— Russell Bennett (@rgbennett) March 9, 2023
India vs Australia 4th Test confirmed lineups
Australia: Usman Khawaja, Travis Head, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith (c), Peter Handscomb, Cameron Green, Alex Carey (wk), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy, Matthew Kuhnemann
India: Rohit Sharma (c), Shubman Gill, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, KS Bharat (wk), Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, Axar Patel, Umesh Yadav, Mohammed Siraj
What time does India vs Australia start?
All four Test matches will begin at 3pm AEDT and 9.30am IST.
How to watch or live stream India vs Australia
Fox Cricket will broadcast each game live and exclusive in Australia, while Star Sports holds the rights to the series in India.
Australia | India | |
TV Channel | Fox Cricket | Star Sports |
Live Stream | Foxtel Go/Kayo Sports | Disney+ Hotstar |