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IND vs AUS: The second Test between India and Australia played at the Adelaide Oval witnessed an extraordinary turn on the very first day of the game. The spotlight was undoubtedly on the sensational bowling performance of Mitchell Starc who took over the match.
The day-night Test is part of the 2023-24 Border-Gavaskar Trophy and Mitchell Starc‘s scintillating spell has left India struggling after they posted a modest first-innings score of 180. At the close of play, Australia were 86/1 in their reply and still had nine wickets to fall behind India by 94 runs.
Rohit Sharma Chooses To Bat First on Day 1 of IND vs AUS
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Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and elected to bat first on day 1 of IND vs AUS, believing that they should score a lot of runs under the floodlights in this pink-ball encounter. However, electing to bat didn’t work in his favor, and India was in disarray quite early in their innings while facing the bowlers of Australia.
India was bowled out for only 180 runs in 44.1 overs, as Mitchell Starc wreaked havoc with the ball, sending the Indians packing because that batting order was in dire need of countering him properly, though a handful managed to go through scoring properly for the nation.
India’s leading run scorer Nitish Reddy scored some vital 42 runs off 54 balls. His composed innings at the top of the order was a rare positive for India on a day when the rest of the batting lineup faltered.
KL Rahul also started well, scoring 37 runs from 64 balls, while Shubman Gill added 31 runs from 51 balls. None of the top-order batsmen could convert their starts into a big score and left India vulnerable.
On the other hand, Virat Kohli had a rare failure, scoring only 7 runs off 8 balls, and Rohit Sharma again failed in Test cricket, getting out for just 3 runs off 23 balls. Indian captain’s inability to score runs in the longer format is a growing concern.
Still, some resistance was offered by the lower order as Rishabh Pant scored 21 runs off 35 balls, and Ravichandran Ashwin added 22 runs from 22 balls. India’s innings wrapped up much before they could build a good total presented challenges to their bowlers for restricting Australia in their run chase.
Mitchell Starc’s Brilliant Bowling Performance
Mitchell Starc was the man of the ball for Australia, doing destruction of the Indian batsmen. The left-arm pacer was nearly unplayable at times as he took an impressive 6 wickets for 48 runs in 14.1 overs. His pace and swing were too much for the Indian batsmen, and he caused constant problems throughout the innings. Wickets fell in quick succession, and the fiery spell by Starc ensured India never really settled at the crease.
Supporting Starc well, Australia’s captain, Pat Cummins, and Scott Boland too contributed significantly by taking each of them 2 wickets. Cummins’ steady and disciplined bowling put pressure on India, and Boland’s line and length equally frustrated the Indian batsmen.
Australia’s Defensive Reaction
In response, Australia started cautiously with their innings, cognizant of the tension that the pink-ball Test can create, especially when it comes to the twilight period. However, Indian bowlers could not produce early wickets, except from Jasprit Bumrah. Bumrah, who has been very consistent for India, snatched the crucial wicket of David Warner, reducing him for 1 in 11 overs and giving India a chance.
At the close of play, Nathan McSweeney (38 off 97 balls) and Marnus Labuschagne (20 off 67 balls) were the occupants of the crease to guide Australia to 86/1. McSweeney, playing only his second Test match, was solid in his defence and showed maturity on the crease as did Labuschagne whose watchful innings helped steady the ship after Warner’s early demise.
For India, Mohammad Siraj and Harshit Rana did well without getting any breakthrough; Siraj could concede only 13 runs in his 11 overs. Both of them did not get the breakthrough, though they managed to get some close calls; still, they did not get the second breakthrough for India to be frustrated.
Australia Well-Placed for the Second Day
As Day 1 of IND vs AUS concluded, Australia seemed to be in a comfortable position, with the Indian bowlers failing to make significant breakthroughs in the post-lunch session. The pressure will be on India to pick up early wickets on Day 2, especially with the likes of McSweeney and Labuschagne still at the crease.
And in that, Australia still requires 94 runs to level the score line, it is going to be an interesting battle with India’s bowling and with the solid middle order. That already puts India on the back foot with Starc’s heroics with the ball, they would look to consolidate it further and put pressure on the Indian attack.
India would need to rethink on the spur of the moment and look to come at the crucial wickets quickly on Day 2, IND vs AUS. Their bowlers need to contain the Aussie batsmen, more so, two well-set players on their strike. On the other hand, the Australians would try to continue their good things with a solid position to amass big time lead to hold on for the Test.
As both teams enter Day 2, the contest remains delicately poised, and Australia is still holding a slight advantage. But by no means is the game over, and India has to come up with a massive comeback to stay in the fight. The pink-ball Test of IND vs AUS at Adelaide promises plenty of excitement as it progresses through the next stages.
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