India vs Australia, 1st Test at Nagpur, IND v AUS, Feb 09 2023 - Ball by Ball Commentary

India win by an innings and 132 runs and could not have made a bigger statement at the start of this series. Australia lose all 10 wickets in basically a session. You know what you are going to get when you come to India, but it's a different question entirely being able to confront it. India were in charge from the very start and, apart from being 168 for 5, were comfortably in front throughout. Ravindra Jadeja was magnificent all-round and Rohit Sharma's hundred set up India's innings. Axar Patel, too, batted very well although as evidenced by this collapse, India would already have had enough runs. There is a lot for Australia to ponder. They had some injury issues leading into the Test and also made the big call to leave out Travis Head. The return of Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc would be timely, but they face a huge call to get back into this series. There will be focus on today's collapse, but making 177 in the first innings was where the game was lost. It's so hard to play catch-up cricket.

Breaking news Ravindra Jadeja has been given one demerit point and fined 25% of his match fee for applying the soothing cream without the on-field umpires' permission, but ICC match officiating team is satisfied this was not used as an artificial substance to alter the condition of the ball. They were satisfied the condition wasn't altered. (More details to follow)

Pat Cummins "The game moves pretty quickly at times. You have to manage your tempos. Thought India played really well, their spinners are always going to be hard work when the wicket is spinning and thought Rohit showed his class. That first innings, the wicket spun but wasn't unplayable. Would have loved another 100 or so runs and put a bit more pressure on their first innings. Obviously starting here is tough but three or four of our guys got in and started to look pretty comfortable in the first innings. Those guys who do get in have got to turn it into big scores. [Todd Murphy] He was fantastic on debut. He's been very impressive. Bowled plenty overs."

Rohit Sharma "Yeah, it was [a special hundred], considering a lot of things. Start of the series, very important where we stand in the championship table, important for us to start well. We know playing a series like this it's important to start well. Happy I could put up a performance which could help the team. I was unfortunate I had to miss a few Test matches but happy to be back. Since I was appointed I played only two Tests, got Covid in England, missed three in South Africa, freak injury in Bangladesh. Things can happen when you play for a long time, but I've had injuries in the past so know how to come back from them. The last few years the kind of pitches we have in India who have to have a clear mindset and plan to get runs. Since I started opening I have tried to figure out...my methods. Have grown up a lot in Mumbai on surfaces which turn a lot. You need to use your feet, at the same time put pressure on the bowlers. You have to do something different, and that can be your way. You need to understand what you can do and not look at anyone else. [Moment of the game where you took charge] It was the first two overs from the seamers to be honest, 2 for 2 to start a game you are pretty much in the ascendency...the opposition is always under pressure because we know we have quality in the spin department but the seamers, not to forget, can be quite threatening on a surface like that. They know how to exploit those conditions. Glad all our batters could put up a show, get 400 and enough lead then the spinners came into the picture."

Player of the match is Ravindra Jadeja "It feels amazing...after five months, give 100%, taking wickets and scoring runs. Feels amazing. I've been working hard when I was at NCA, also doing my rehab. Would like that all the NCA staff, physios, trainers, they have been working hard with me. I looked to bowl in good areas, the ball was spinning, the ball was going straight and also keeping low. I know the Australians will look to play sweep and reverse sweep. Generally I look to keep things very simple [with the bat] and not change too much. I focus more on my batting now because it's crucial number, 5, 6, 7, so have to put myself in a pressure situation."

So that wraps things up for Nagpur. Very convincing for India and we'll now look forward to Delhi on Friday to see if Australia can fight back. We'll be back for that one and there will be plenty of reaction and analysis from this game coming over the next few hours. For now, though, from Gnasher and Sid it's goodbye and thanks for joining us.

Steve: "Will India rue giving Smith a life? Match on a knives edge…"

Jadeja does bowl too many no-balls

No. 11 Scott Boland walks in

And play will be extended - would have been at eight down

Two catching midwickets in place

Blimey. We have some pace (thank you, Rohit). Mohammed Shami

amitav: "SKY literally fielding on his knees in 2nd slip is something unseen" Marcus Trescothick the first I saw do it (from memory, at least)

John: "Beats me why Smith is not trying to shield the lower order batsmen. Particularly when you've lost 8 wickets in a session." Well, he's not going to shield them for two days