New Delhi: To the surprise of cricket fans worldwide, Indian team was bowled out for a paltry total of 105 runs as Steve O'Keefe claimed his best figures of entire Test career by notching up 6 for 35 against India.
The left-arm slow orthodox bowler helped Aussies take a first-innings lead of 155 on a spin-friendly track against the world`s top-ranked side in the first of the four-match series.
Opener Lokesh Rahul`s 64 was the top individual score for the hosts, who are unbeaten in their last 19 tests. (IND vs AUS, 1st Test - LIVE Blog | Scorecard)
The 32-year-old`s stunning exploits saw India concede a 155-run first innings lead -- with captain Virat Kohli was dismissed for a rare duck -- and put Australia in charge of the first match of the four-Test series.
Kohli, who has hit four double centuries since July last year, walked after just two deliveries for his first duck in a Test since against England in August 2014.
Indian opener Lokesh Rahul top-scored for the home side with a gritty 64 as eight Indian batsmen failed to get into double figures.
India went to lunch 70-3 and got to 94 without further loss before O`Keefe, who had been largely ineffective during the morning session, swung control of the match to Australia.
He claimed three wickets in his 10th over to leave the Indian middle-order rattled at India`s newest Test venue, which has seen a considerable turn from the beginning.
The wickets of Rahul, Ajinkya Rahane (13) and Wriddhiman Saha (0) broke India`s batting back and there was no looking back for O`Keefe in just his fifth ever Test.
India lost their last seven batsmen for a paltry 11 runs to post a first-innings total of just 105. Earlier, Mitchell Starc had claimed the prized scalp of Kohli.
Starc, who hit a gritty 61 in Australia`s first innings of 260, took two wickets in the space of three deliveries as the tourists made decisive early inroads into the Indian batting line-up.
India's total of 105 in first innings would be considered embarrassing but it was far from the list of top 10 lowest totals in the format.
Here's the list:-
10. South Africa 43 v England (1889)
9. India 42 v England (1974)
8. Australia 42 v England (1888)
7. New Zealand 42 v Australia (1946)
6. Australia 36 v England (1902)
5. South Africa 36 v Australia (1932)
4. South Africa 35 v England (1899)
3. South Africa 30 v England (1924)
2. South Africa 30 v England (1896)
1. New Zealand – 26 v England (1955)
Steve Smith's men were dismissed for 260 in their first innings at Maharashtra Cricket Association Stadium.
(With Agency inputs)
