Todd Murphy, a young spinner, has been brilliant thus far in his first game against India in Nagpur.
The 22-year-old bowler kept the visitors in the game by taking the prized scalps of KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Virat Kohli. There were many discussions about his selection for the first Test, but the spinner proved everyone wrong and performed admirably in the opening match.
Nathan Lyon, a master of spin, was seen conversing with the cricketer after being given the Baggy Green. When the 36-year-old requested him to recall why he started playing the game and to compete as hard as he can, Murphy revealed that he was instructed to do so.
“Gaz (Nathan Lyon) said a few things that I recall. After the first day of play, Murphy remarked, “Just make sure I never forget why I started playing cricket and to keep that love for the game, and then just get out there and compete as hard as you can.,” according to Indian Express.
The youthful spinner added that while Lyon relies heavily on variation, he is a bowler who is quite reliable with his stock delivery.
Whereas I definitely rely on a little more diversity, Gaz’s stock balls are so terrific that he believes a lot in that and he is so consistent with it, Murphy said.
On his return to international cricket, Ravindra Jadeja makes an impression.
Regarding the opening match of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, top-ranked Test all-rounder Ravindra Jadeja has been simply outstanding. The spinner thoroughly shredded the Australian batting order while making his comeback, taking five wickets. Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Matt Renshaw, Peter Handscomb, and Todd Murphy were among the wickets he took, limiting the Pat Cummins-led team to 177 runs in the first innings.
The cricketer added another fifty with that bat to help India out of a tight spot. Jadeja remained at the crease to play a brilliant knock as all the other batters were losing their wicket.