Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja wins five wickets against Australia in his much awaited comeback.

On Thursday, Indian all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja claimed five wickets in the first innings of the current first Test match between India and Australia in Nagpur. After a protracted injury layoff, Jadeja rejoined the squad and claimed his 11th five-for in a Test to give India the upper hand. At the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Australia was knocked out for a meager score of 177 in the first innings after choosing to bat first. Jadeja’s statistics were five for 42. Play resumed after tea on 174/8, and India bowled out Australia for a cheap total as Jadeja and Ashwin struck quickly.

The 82-run stand between Steve Smith (37) and Marnus Labuschagne (49) was broken by Jadeja during the second session before he trapped Matt Renshaw and Todd Murphy. Australia was bowled out in 63.5 overs when Peter Handscomb (31) was caught by Jadeja (5/47) in the last session of the day.

Before experienced off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin (3/42), the other wicket-taker for India in the second session, ended Alex Carrey’s stint in the middle, he had made a 33-ball 36.

The visitors were dealt early blows by pacers Mohammed Shami (1/18) and Mohammed Siraj (1/30), who dismissed Usman Khwaja (1) and David Warner (1) in the opening three overs.

With Pat Cummins at the helm, Australia benched left-hander Travis Head and gave off-spinner Todd Murphy his first-ever international start.

Suryakumar Yadav, a superstar in the Twenty20 game, and wicketkeeper Srikar Bharat received Test caps from India under Rohit Sharma.

India wants to defeat Australia for a fourth straight Border-Gavaskar Trophy victory. Additionally, they want to qualify for the World Test Championship (WTC) final.