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PUNE: India grabbed the key wicket of David Warner just before lunch on the first day of the opening Test in Pune Thursday, stalling Australia´s momentum after their openers made an impressive start.
The visitors were 84 for one at the break after Warner and Matt Renshaw put on an 82-run stand for the opening wicket, with the tourists having elected to bat first after winning the toss at India´s newest Test venue.
But just when the duo looked to be picking up steam, Warner was bowled by seamer Umesh Yadav for 38 and Renshaw then retired ill on 36 with an upset stomach.
Skipper Steve Smith and Shaun Marsh were the unbeaten batsmen at the break, having both made one.
Indian captain Virat Kohli sprung a surprise by handing the world´s top-ranked spinner Ravichandran Ashwin the new ball at the start of the innings, which he shared with pace spearhead Ishant Sharma.
Ashwin´s fellow spinners Jayant Yadav and Ravindra Jadeja were also introduced into the attack in the opening session on what seems like a typically turning Indian track.
Warner, who used his feet to good effect against the spinners, survived a scare after he was bowled off a no ball when he was on 20.
Renshaw, who also survived an early umpire referral for caught behind, struck four fours and a six to take the attack to the opposition bowlers.
The two left-handed batsmen, who both started off cautiously, picked up the scoring rate in the final half-hour of the session, prompting the hosts to switch back to pace.
The decision paid dividends as Yadav had Warner bowled off a good length delivery that hit the bat en route to middle and leg stumps.
As Warner was walking back, Renshaw also had a word with the on-field umpires to request that he also return to the pavilion. Cricket Australia later said that he was suffering from a stomach upset.
The match is the first in a four-Test series between the world´s two top-ranked sides.
