The 2nd Test between India and Australia at the Adelaide Oval began with high expectations but quickly turned into a nightmare for the Indian team. Having opted to bat first under the pink-ball conditions, the visitors found themselves struggling against a relentless Australian pace attack, led by Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland. By the dinner break on Day 1, India’s scorecard read a precarious 82/4, leaving them with a mountain to climb in the remainder of the match.
India’s inning begins in chaos against Australia
From the very first ball, India’s decision to bat first came under scrutiny. Starc set the tone for Australia with an explosive delivery that dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal for a golden duck. The young opener, who had shown promising form in the previous games, was caught off-guard by a searing ball that swung late, rattling the Indian camp instantly. This early breakthrough brought Shubman Gill to the crease, who joined KL Rahul in an attempt to stabilize the innings.
The pair managed to bring a semblance of calm to the innings, forging a partnership that weathered the Australian attack for a significant part of the morning session. Rahul showcased his trademark patience and composure, while Gill combined solid defense with occasional aggression. Together, they steadied the ship and provided hope for a substantial first-innings total.
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Mitchell Starc strikes with crucial wicket of Virat Kohli
However, just as India seemed to be finding their footing, Starc returned for a lethal second spell that changed the complexion of the game. The defining moment came in the 21st over when Starc delivered a short-of-length ball just outside the off-stump to Virat Kohli. The delivery, nipping slightly inward, left Kohli in two minds – whether to play or leave. In his hesitation, the Indian batting maestro offered a tentative prod, only to edge the ball into the safe hands of Steve Smith at second slip. The dismissal, eerily similar to Kohli’s first-innings wicket in the Perth Test, gave Starc his third scalp and further dented India’s batting prospects.
Here’s the video:
Mitchell Starc sends Virat Kohli packing!#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/2AzNllS7xT
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 6, 2024
Rishabh Pant and Rohit Sharma at the crease
Scott Boland, stepping in for the injured Josh Hazlewood, made an immediate impact, proving why he has become a trusted weapon in Australia’s pace arsenal. Boland trapped Gill (31) with a sharp, slanting delivery that the batter missed while attempting a flick. Having shuffled outside off-stump to execute the shot, Gill was beaten comprehensively, and the umpire had little hesitation in raising his finger. Gill’s dismissal marked a significant setback, as the well-set batter had shown signs of anchoring India’s innings.
As the first session drew to a close, captain Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant found themselves at the crease with the task of rebuilding the innings. Rohit managed just one run off eight balls, while Pant, coming in at number six, had scored four runs off 10 deliveries. The duo faced a tall order, with the scoreboard reading 82/4 after 23 overs at the dinner break, and the Australian bowlers continuing to extract assistance from the pink ball under the twilight conditions.
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