Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21, 4th Test: A look at the records scripted on Day 1

Australia is taking on India in an engaging competition for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, being defended by the latter, while the final Test is being played with full intensity, in Brisbane. Australia has been in the driver's seat so far, as a few records were scripted during the day.

Ayush Gupta

Brisbane QLD,Published: Jan 15, 2021, 2:16 PM IST

Australia is on top of its game on Day 1, of the fourth and final Test, for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, at The Gabba in Brisbane, on Friday. While the Indians highlighted with twin debutants, Australia's Marnus Labuschagne scored a century, as quite a few records were scripted during the day, while we take a look.

India uses most players in a series since 1961-62: The ongoing series has seen India use 19 players. It is the most used by the side in a single Test series since 1961-62. It was also the most used by India in overseas Test series, with 17 being used in England (2018 and 1959) and Australia (2014-15).

T Natarajan becomes a first: With his Test debut, Natarajan became the first left-arm seamer to play Test cricket for India since 2013-14 (Zaheer Khan), while he also became the first debutant of the same, since 2010-11 (Jaydev Unadkat). He also became the 300th Test cap for India, with the other two 100th cap being Nayan Mongia (1993-94) and Baloo Gupte (1960-61). Besides, he is also the first Indian to make his debut across formats on the same tour.

A first for India since 1996: This was also the first time since 1996 that India has utilised five or more debutants in a Test series. The last time happened to be against England, with Sunil Joshi, Pharas Mhambrey, Venkatesh Prasad, Vikram Rathour, Rahul Dravid and Sourav Ganguly being the debutants.

Nathan Lyon scripts a special one: Veteran Australian spinner, Lyon is playing his 100th Test. Meanwhile, he has become the player with the third least First-Class matches (5) to play his 100th Test. Above him are Wasim Akram (3) and Daniel Vettori (2).

Australian openers stoop to a new low: The Aussie openers once again failed to get going, contributing just six runs in this innings. Incidentally, they average only 20.76 in the series so far, which has been their lowest in a home series of three or more Tests.

Australia scripts an unwanted one: Opener, David Warner fell for a mere single in the game's opening over. Consequently, it was the first time since 1985, when Australia had lost Andrew Hilditch in the beginning over against New Zealand.

Washington Sundar becomes a youngest: Indian spinner, Sundar too made his debut in this game. He has become the third-youngest Indian to play all the three formats, at the age of 21 years and 102 days. Younger to him are Rishabh Pant (21 years and 17 days) and Ishant Sharma (19 years and 152 days).

Shardul Thakur records a memorable feat: Thakur dismissed opener, Marcus Harris of his very first delivery. As a result, he became the first Indian to get a wicket off his first ball in Australia, in the format.

Match summary: Winning the toss, Australia has elected to bat first. Although the openers were off to a poor start, Labuschagne's century has put Australia on the driver's seat. In contrast, India's Natarajan has made the most impact, claiming a couple of wickets so far.
Brief scores: Australia 274/5 (Labuschagne 108; Natarajan 2/63) vs India.

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