So there was tension. Plus the series hanging in the balance, Australia’s brilliant comeback in Indore, and a figure like Narendra Modi on the ground. That buzz was present. Before the start of this Test, every box was checked, Manjrekar told Star Sports.
In other news, Sri Lanka will look to strike an early blow against New Zealand in Christchurch this week, while Australia will hope to keep the World Test Championship (WTC) race alive by defeating India.
I don’t think Sri Lanka is capable of upsetting New Zealand, Manjrekar added. Sri Lanka is currently third in the standings and needs to win both Tests against New Zealand in their two-match series to qualify, but also needs good results in the ongoing Test between India and Australia.
Sri Lanka reached 305 for six on day one of the first test in Christchurch, with Kusal Mendis and captain Dimuth Karunaratne scoring half-centuries. The South Asians had a successful day at the batting crease.
Australia, on the other hand, were 255 for four at stumps. At the end of the game, opener Khawaja and Cameron Green had batting averages of 104 and 49, respectively.
Australia got off to a good start after skipper Steve Smith chose to bat, with Khawaja and Travis Head adding 61 runs for the first wicket.
