India vs Australia: Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja star on Day 1 as hosts trail by 100 runs

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A five-wicket spell by Ravindra Jadeja, followed by an unbeaten half-century by skipper Rohit Sharma, put the hosts in charge of India vs Australia 1st Test in Nagpur on Thursday. At the end of the day's play India were 77/1 in response to Australia's 177 all-out; trailing by 100 runs on a day when the dry nature of the pitch remained the centre of attraction.

Jadeja retained a spell of 5/47 as Australia were bundled out Australia for 177 in 63.5 overs right after the tea break. Ravindra Jadeja was backed by right-arm off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin, who finished with a spell of 3/42.

In response, Rohit led the charge from the front as he remained not out on a 69-ball 56, inclusive of nine fours and a solitary six. He had an opening stand of 76 runs with KL Rahul, who scored a patient 71-ball 20 before getting dismissed by debutant Todd Murphy for his maiden international scalp.

R Ashwin (0* off 5) joined as the nightwatchman saw out the remainder of the deliveries left in the day.

Opting to bat first after winning the toss earlier in the day, Australia saw their openers parish by the beginning of the third over as Mohammed Siraj and Mohammed Shami dismissed Usman Khawaja and David Warner respectively.

Reeling at 2/2, Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith showed resistance as the duo batted through the first session, taking the visitors to 76/2.

Things fell apart post lunch with the introduction of Ravindra Jadeja, who picked three wickets in quick succession to put India back in charge of the game on a dry surface.

The 31-year-old all-rounder broke the backbone of Australian innings by removing a set Marnus Labuschagne (49) and Steve Smith (37) in quick succession.

Jadeja first removed Labuschagne a run short of half-century in his first innings in India while Steve Smith was clean bowled with a peach of delivery soon after. Matt Renshaw's wicket was sandwiched in between as the southpaw was dismissed off the first delivery by Ravindra Jadeja.

Wicket-keeper-batter Alex Carey then took an offensive stance by scoring a 33-ball 36, laced with seven fours, to unsettle Indian spinners. He added 53 runs for the sixth wicket with Peter Handscomb to take his side past 150-run mark.

However, his cameo was ended by Ashwin, who punished the batter for miserably failing at reverse sweep.

Aussie tail-end lasted for just 15 runs upon his departure as Jadeja completed his fifer. Jadeja was not done with important wickets on the day yet as he also lbw a set Handscomb for 31 for his fifth wicket after dismissing tailender Todd Murphy (0) for a five-ball duck on his Test debut.

Ashwin wrapped up the innings by rattling the stumps of Scott Boland (1) after dismissing Nathan Lyon for a duck moments ago.