Mitchell Starc excelled with the pink ball, taking 6/48 to bowl India out for 180 in second test in Adelaide in Australia vs India series. Australia finished day one at 86-1, setting the stage for a strong first-innings lead in the five-Test series.
Nathan McSweeney remained unbeaten on 38, while Marnus Labuschagne supported him with 20 runs at the other end. The hosts looked confident as they aimed to build on their solid start.
Starc’s Early Breakthrough
Starc made an immediate impact, dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal with the first ball of the match. Jaiswal, a key player who smashed 161 in the Perth Test, fell lbw.
Shubman Gill, returning from a thumb injury, played some stylish shots to score 31. Meanwhile, KL Rahul adopted a more cautious approach. Retained as an opener after his half-century in Perth, Rahul took 21 balls to score his first run.
Scott Boland, replacing Josh Hazlewood, nearly dismissed Rahul twice in one over. However, a no-ball and a dropped catch by Usman Khawaja at slip allowed Rahul to survive.
Starc and Boland Tighten the Grip
Starc returned to break a 69-run partnership, dismissing Rahul for 37. Rahul, uncertain whether to play or leave, edged the ball to gully.
Starc struck again in his next over, removing Virat Kohli for seven. Kohli, who had scored a century in Perth, failed to pull his bat back in time, edging to the slips.
Boland added to India’s troubles by trapping Gill lbw just before the dinner break. India’s innings seemed to crumble under relentless pressure from Australia’s bowlers.
Middle Order Collapses After the Break
After the break, India struggled to rebuild. Rohit Sharma, batting in the middle order after missing the Perth Test, was dismissed for three. Boland trapped him lbw, further strengthening Australia’s position in Australia vs India test series.
Pat Cummins joined the attack and used his extra bounce to dismiss Rishabh Pant for 21. India’s middle order failed to form significant partnerships, leaving the total at a modest 180.
Australia Takes Charge in Australia vs India series
By stumps, Australia looked well-placed to dominate. Despite losing David Warner for 24, McSweeney and Labuschagne steadied the innings. They guided Australia to 86-1, building momentum for a substantial first-innings lead.
Australia vs India
This commanding performance underlined Australia’s determination to bounce back after their loss in Perth. With Starc’s brilliance leading the way, they appear poised to level the series.
