Bumrah keeps hope alive after fireworks by sensational Sam

Three quick wickets by the pacer help India peg back the hosts from 237/2 to 311/6 on Day 1 of the fourth Test at MCG

- Ashish Magotra

MELBOURNE: For once in the series, Australia had the measure of Jasprit Bumrah. His opening spell of six overs had leaked 38 runs and, on a true wicket, the batters were looking more than comfortable.

But one of the truest measures of greatness is how you respond when the chips are down and for all his skill, it is often Bumrah's heart that helps him bounce back. In the presence of 87,242 fans—the highest attendance for a day of Test cricket between Australia and India in Australia—cricket delivered it all: a teenager taking on one of the modern greats, some aggression, a shoulder bump, partnerships that saw the hosts gain a position of strength and a fightback led by the indomitable Bumrah.

This was theatre that only Test cricket can deliver. If you hung around long enough, you would be rewarded.

At close of play, Australia were a respectable 311/6. Respectable... only because at 237/2 they looked on course for so much more. But India's fightback saw them get four wickets for 62 and end the day feeling a lot better than they would have after the first hour. At the crease for the hosts were Steve Smith on 68 and skipper Pat Cummins on 8.

The first hour, though, was something the rest of the day had a hard time living up to. It was cricket on the edge with each ball brimming with promise. Sam Konstas was brought into the team to take Bumrah on and he did more than just that. He set the tone for the game with an innings that will see expectations on the teenager rapidly rise.

The Australia opener had a torrid time for a few overs before he decided to take the game on. The runs came in a flurry of fours, sixes, reverse ramps and scoops and the huge Boxing Day crowd took every opportunity to roar its approval. After the first hour, Australia had clearly thrown the first punches.