India v Australia first Test player ratings: Nagpur disaster for Pat Cummins’ team

Australia were embarrassed by India in the first Test in Nagpur, but how would you rate each player’s performance? HAVE YOUR SAY.

Australia has been left to pick up the pieces after a tour with started with optimism of a historic series victory turned to disaster in Nagpur.

The Australians were out in less than a session for their lowest total in India on day three, routed for 91 as India romped to an innings and 132-run triumph.

Todd Murphy’s seven wickets on debut were one of the only highlights for Australia, which has less than a week to work out how it rebounds in Delhi.

Ben Horne rates every Aussie player below.

FIRST TEST RECAP: KEY MOMENTS, TALKING POINTS FROM DAY THREE

USMAN KHAWAJA – 1.5

Slightly unlucky first innings and a bit reckless in the second. Australia urgently needs him to lift like he did in Pakistan last year, but the conditions in India are much tougher.

David Warner trudges off.

DAVID WARNER – 2

Bowled by a good ball from Mohammad Shami in the first innings before scrapping to 10 off 41 balls in the second and falling lbw to Ravi Ashwin. Faces a challenging road ahead this series, given Ashwin has got his wicket 11 times in Test cricket.

MARNUS LABUSCHAGNE – 4

His first innings 49 was Australia’s best for the Test and he showed solid resistance in both innings, without cracking the big score Australia needed.

STEVE SMITH – 4

He looked like the man who is averaging 58 in Tests in India with two robust performances. Much will fall on his shoulders if Australia is to find a way back into this series.

MATTHEW RENSHAW – 1

Had a horror Test including a golden duck, a trip to hospital for a knee injury and another meek exit in the second innings. Fell to two lbw decisions in the Test, the first of which when he missed the ball by a huge margin. Faces immediate pressure from the more adventurous and experienced Travis Head.

Matt Renshaw had a match to forget.

PETER HANDSCOMB – 3

Steady knock in the first innings but struggled to move the scoreboard along as wickets fell around him. Faces an immediate threat for his position if Cameron Green can recover from injury.

ALEX CAREY – 6

A deceptively good effort. Kept well, his DRS decision-making was excellent overall and his perky first-innings 36 off 31 showed great intent and skill. One of Australia’s most reliable performers.

Alex Carey was out reverse sweeping twice.

PAT CUMMINS – 3

Looked unusually distracted when he took the new ball first-up and was punished by opposition captain, Rohit Sharma. Recovered to bowl a sensational spell late on day two – when he bowled Rohit with a screaming delivery, but this was not his best Test. Facing his greatest challenge as captain over the next month.

TODD MURPHY – 9

Sensational performance which will sit proudly as a historical gold stud for Australia as long as the game is played. One of the best debut efforts seen in recent history. Looks to have a long future ahead of him in Test cricket.

Skipper Pat Cummins has huge concerns after the Nagpur disaster.

Todd Murphy was the shining light for Australia with seven wickets on debut.

NATHAN LYON – 2

Was unlucky at times with DRS Umpire’s call and dropped catches, but was still well below par for his lofty standards. Lyon was shown up by colleague Murphy and India’s penetrative spin bowling trio.

SCOTT BOLAND – 3

Workhorse performance and kept things tight on day two when they could have spiralled out of control. Failed to take a wicket though and dropped a simple catch late in the Indian innings which cost Australia dearly, even though the game may already have been gone.

Originally published as India v Australia first Test player ratings: Nagpur disaster for Pat Cummins’ team