India vs Australia 1st Test of the four-match Border-Gavaskar Trophy is being played at the Vidarbha Cricket Stadium in Nagpur. Day 2 of the IND-AUS 1st Test was quite special for Australia’s Todd Murphy, a guy wasn’t even playing first-class cricket a year back, successfully picked a five-wicket haul against India to boast of. The spinner has so far picked up 5 for 82 in 36 overs in India’s first innings, with the wickets of KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli in his kitty.
The 22-year-old Australian debutant, who became the second Australian and sixth overall bowler to take a five-fer on Test Debut against India in India, stated that Virat Kohli’s wicket was his highlight of day two, among his other four wickets.
“The one that got Virat out. It wasn’t my best ball of the day. It was a dream come true moment for me to get Virat Kohli’s wicket. I watched him for so long. He is a hero for so many guys, it’ll be with me forever. Coming into the game, I was sort of hoping to get one wicket at least. To finish the day with five on debut is a special day. It’s been a pretty surreal week, it’s all happened quite fast,” Murphy told the broadcasters, as reported by Sportskeeda.
“It’s been a pretty special couple of days and to top it off with a five-wicket haul on debut is more than I ever hope for and it is going to be something that I’ll look back on for the rest of my life and be proud of,” Murphy said at the end of the second day’s play.
Murphy was all praise for the Indian batters and their ability to use their hands against spinners.
“I haven’t bowled to a lot of people from around the world but I think the Indian guys they use their hands really well. They get their hands out in front of their pads and they have got a lot of scoring options too.
“So always a really difficult challenge there. And it was quite tough,” he said.
Murphy started out as a medium pacer but later found off-breaks to be his calling card.
“I think in all honesty my medium pace wasn’t really any good anyway, so it sort of just came a time where I was tinkering in the nets with off-spin bowling and yeah, got some really good feedback that what was coming out of my hand was alright.
“So, just went from there and kept working at it and it’s been the best thing I’ve ever done. So thankful I have,” he said.
“I think this time last year I was still not in the state side so it sort of has been quite quick progress,” he admitted.
(With PTI Inputs)
