Australia delivered a commanding performance on Day 2 of the pink-ball Test in Adelaide, putting themselves in a strong position to level the series. Dominating with both bat and ball, the hosts extended their lead over India, leaving the visitors struggling at 128/5 in their second innings. The keyword Australia vs India encapsulates the fiercely competitive series.
Labuschagne and Head Lead the Charge
Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head were pivotal for Australia. Labuschagne, returning to form, compiled a gritty half-century, anchoring the innings early. Travis Head then stole the show with an attacking knock of 140. Despite a shaky start, Head settled in and scored fluently, thrilling the Adelaide crowd with his aggressive stroke play. His efforts propelled Australia to a first-innings total of 337 and a vital lead of 157 runs.
Indian Seamers Shine Early
India’s bowlers began the day strongly under challenging conditions. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj utilized the swinging pink ball effectively, particularly in the first session. Bumrah’s disciplined spell earned him two wickets, keeping India in contention early. However, the lack of support from the other bowlers allowed Australia to rebuild steadily.
Relentless Aussie Pacers Under Lights
Australia’s pace trio—Scott Boland, Pat Cummins, and Mitchell Starc—turned the screws on India under the lights. Boland and Cummins struck early, dismissing key batters, including skipper Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill. Starc produced a stunning inswinger to clean up Gill, showcasing the danger posed by Australia’s pink-ball specialists. India now trails by 29 runs, with just five wickets in hand.
Pant and Reddy Hold the Fort
India’s hopes now rest on Rishabh Pant and Nitish Kumar Reddy. Pant played aggressively, hitting five boundaries in a counterattacking innings that kept Australia on their toes. Reddy supported him with a composed knock, but the pair has a daunting task ahead to save the game.
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Statistical Highlights
The match has already seen some notable stats emerge. Australia’s total of 379 runs on Day 2 ranks among the highest in day-night Test history. Comparatively, India’s seamers struggled to deliver balls on target, with only 4.6% projected to hit the stumps, versus Australia’s much-improved 11.6%. These figures reflect Australia’s disciplined bowling effort and India’s uphill struggle.
Australia Eye Series Leveller
With a lead of 29 runs and India teetering at 128/5, Australia appears poised to level the series 1-1. Day 3 will be crucial for both teams. India’s chances hinge on a monumental effort from their middle order, while Australia will look to wrap up the innings quickly and build on their advantage.
The Adelaide Test is shaping up to be another thrilling chapter in the Australia vs India rivalry, with the hosts firmly in control.
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