David Warner 3
The veteran’s decline as a Test batter continued with twin failures. Beaten for pace in the first innings, he was no match for Ashwin in the second. The slow game isn’t working for him, and his best knock since the last Ashes came when he took the game on, so perhaps it’s best for him to go down swinging.
Usman Khawaja 3
Like his opening partner, this was not a game to remember for the popular left-hander, who was overlooked for the 2017 series here. A much-improved player against spin, Khawaja needs to return serve to Ashwin in Delhi after a messy dismissal. He’s entitled to enquire about the ball-tracker’s calibration.
Marnus Labuschagne 6
The Queenslander will be ruing not kicking on to a big score on day one when was in superb touch. An intelligent problem-solver, he knows he cannot be pinned on the crease to the spinners so watch for a more proactive approach next week. He should still be confident of success this series.
Steve Smith 6
Probably the most solid of Australia’s batters though it was concerning he was bowled twice after being beaten on his inside edge. You can bet your bottom dollar the champion batter will work his backside off in the coming days to make sure it does not happen again. Dropped two catches but can hold his head high.
Matthew Renshaw 2
Picked for his experience in India, the Queenslander batted like a man who had never played in these conditions. Hard to assess his form given he lasted only eight balls, but made two grave errors in that time – plonking his pad in the first innings and playing across the line in the second. Under huge pressure to retain his place.
Peter Handscomb 5
Confident in using his feet to the slow bowlers, the Victorian is not afraid to ask questions of India’s spin masters. He is happy to play the ball in front of his pads and back his eye not to miss. Forget his dismissal in the first innings when he put team first over red ink. Must play next week.
Alex Carey 6.5
It’s apparent sweeping – conventional and reverse – is the cornerstone to the No.7’s game plan over here. The method is bold and will require a lot of skill to pull off. Dismissed twice to the shot, Carey must have the faith to keep backing himself in. The moment he hesitates will be the moment he perishes. Glovework was top notch.
Pat Cummins 4
The conditions did not suit the captain but we’ve seen plenty of times where Cummins makes things happen through sheer will. It did not happen here. Lost his way with the new ball on the first day and though he improved he lacked his usual penetration. His batting has fallen away. It’s hard to think of a worse performance in his 48 Tests. Watch for him to bounce back.
Todd Murphy 9
Selectors could not have asked for much more from the Victorian off-spinner, who returned the fourth best bowling figures by an Australian man on Test debut overseas. Undaunted by the occasion, he bowled with good revs and showed the smarts of a veteran. Clearly his team best. Australia’s found a good one.
Nathan Lyon 3
As he was in the 2020/21 series, Lyon was tamed by India’s batters, who must be confident they have his measure. The pitch did not offer him his trademark bounce but the veteran should have found a way to get something out of the track. Though unlucky to have two chances put down, the master was out-bowled by his apprentice.
Scott Boland 7.5
Do not be fooled by his wicketless return, this was a performance full of merit by the Victorian cult hero, who bowled with great control and heart in difficult conditions. He deserves to hold his place but probably won’t with Mitchell Starc looming. Murphy does not get seven without Boland’s toil. Blemish was his bad drop in the field.
