On the first day of the opening Test between India and Australia, a controversial caught-behind dismissal of India’s KL Rahul sparked debate, but Mitchell Starc, the senior Australian pacer, dismissed the incident as a "regulation wicket." Rahul was given not out on the field, but following a DRS review, the third umpire overturned the decision despite limited evidence, leading to questions about the clarity of the review process.

Starc, who had earlier removed Yashasvi Jaiswal to give Australia the first breakthrough of the series, downplayed the controversy, emphasizing that the timing and sound of the delivery indicated it was a straightforward wicket. He also offered insight into the challenging conditions on the day, noting that the pitch favored bowlers, but batting would likely become easier as the game progressed. Starc pointed out that surviving the new ball was crucial for teams in the second innings, and though runs were hard to come by, the slow outfield made scoring more difficult.

The day saw a stunning 17 wickets fall, with India's bowlers, including Jasprit Bumrah (4/17) and Josh Hazlewood (4/29), dominating proceedings. Despite the tough conditions, Starc expressed no surprise at India's strong bowling response, acknowledging the skills both teams possess. With Australia at 67/7 at stumps, Starc remains optimistic, suggesting that India’s comeback was a product of their strength as a team.