The Indore Test between India and Australia saw the hosts’ top-order crumble as Matthew Kuhnemann and Nathan Lyon spun a web around them. India were bowled out for a paltry total of 189 in their first innings, with the two spinners taking four wickets each.
Kuhnemann, who was making his Test debut, was the pick of the bowlers with figures of 4/68. He bowled with great control and accuracy, and was able to extract turn and bounce from the Indore pitch. He was particularly effective against the Indian top-order, dismissing both openers, Shikhar Dhawan and Mayank Agarwal, in quick succession.
Nathan Lyon, on the other hand, was the more experienced of the two spinners and he too was able to make the most of the conditions. He was able to get the ball to drift and dip, and was able to get the ball to spin sharply off the surface. He finished with figures of 4/67, and was the main reason why India were bowled out for such a low total.
The Indian batsmen were unable to cope with the spin and bounce generated by the two spinners, and were unable to put together any meaningful partnerships. The only batsman who was able to show some resistance was Cheteshwar Pujara, who scored a gritty fifty.
The Australian spinners were able to make the most of the conditions, and their performance was the main reason why India were bowled out for such a low total. It remains to be seen if the Indian batsmen can bounce back in the second innings and put up a better performance.