Dominant Indians make Aussies wilt despite touring debutant's five-wicket haul
Todd Murphy was instilled as Nathan Lyon's understudy when dealt his Test debut in India this week.
But on an incredible second day of the series-opener on Friday, it was the youngster with glasses — not the veteran with more than 450 Test wickets in the bag — who piloted Australia in Nagpur, albeit on a strugglesome day.
The 22-year-old Murphy, handed a baggy green after playing just seven first-class games, captured a five-wicket haul.
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He became the 17th Australian to snag a five-for in a debut Test innings and the first since Josh Hazlewood, who did so against India in Brisbane in 2014.
But despite Murphy's amazing start to his Test career, the Indians batted themselves into a formidable position by stumps on day two.
Led by a knock of 120 by captain Rohit Sharma, and buoyed by a staunch low-order partnership of 81 and counting between Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel, the hosts reached the end of play at 7-321.
The Australians, trailing by 144, are staring down a near-inevitable defeat — a disastrous way to begin the tour as they pursue the country's first Test series win in India since 2004.
The Australians put their frustrations aside for a fleeting moment at stumps, allowing Murphy to walk from the field first as they patted him on the back and clapped.
"That's a magnificent day, young fella," Matthew Hayden said on the Fox Cricket broadcast.
"You should be able to go in that dressing room and be very, very proud of that performance because that's a very special effort ... wonderful performance."
Todd Murphy is mobbed by his teammates after completing a five-wicket haul on Test debut. Robert Cianflone/Getty Images
Murphy grabbed his maiden Test wicket late on day one when he removed KL Rahul, before scalping Ravichandran Ashwin, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli and Srikar Bharat on Friday.
After 36 overs of whippy off spin that offered India's batters scarce opportunity to garner easy runs, the Victorian finished the day with 5-82.
He dismissed Kohli with the first delivery after lunch, getting lucky with a ball that slid down leg. The former captain tried to flick the ball off his back foot behind square, but an edge was snaffled up by a terrific Alex Carey catch.
An overturned lbw decision sealed Murphy's five-for, with the rookie hitting Bharat's left pad and technology suggesting the ball would have crashed into middle and leg.
Jadeja will resume on 66 and Patel, India's No.9, on 52 when day three begins.
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