Australia batter Marnus Labuschagne survived a close call early on Day 2 of the Adelaide Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Mohammed Siraj bowled a good length ball that came in sharply towards Labuschagne.
The batter was half-forward in his defense and was hit onto his pad. Fast bowler Mohammed Siraj let out a celebrappeal thinking that he might have got the wicket. However, the umpire Richard Illingworth had other ideas and denied it straight away.
Later, it was found through ball-tracking that Marnus Labuschagne had got a thick inside edge on the way to his pad. India captain Rohit Sharma too didn’t bother to go for a review as he was sure of of the inside edge.
Also read: Revealed: Why Adelaide Oval lights went out twice on Day 1 of IND vs AUS Day-Night Test?
Watch- Mohammed Siraj’s celebrappeal denied by Richard Illingworth
Umpire Illingworth didn’t rate Siraj’s celebration! 😤#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/4VpfwTmEjs
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 7, 2024
It looked plumb from the naked eye which prompted Mohammed Siraj and other India’s fielders to let out a spirited appeal. Even Harshit Rana could be seen suggesting an inside edge during the video clip.
Overall, it was a good decision from the umpire as he spotted it absolutely right. India’s captain Rohit Sharma also must be applauded for not wasting a review despite being a close call. The ball would have crashed onto the stumps had Marnus Labuschagne not got any inside edge.
Poor Test for Mohammed Siraj
Mohammed Siraj has been below par so far in this Test. The fast bowler didn’t get a wicket on the first day and didn’t bowl particularly well. He wasn’t consistent with his lines and lengths and coouldn’t make the most of the conditions on offer in the evening of Day 1.
But he made good adjudstments on the second day and came back strongly. India needs its premier bowler to be in top form for the rest of the series. Mohammed Siraj is the second most experienced fast bowler for India in these conditions after Bumrah.
On the other hand, Marnus Labuschagne completed a fine fifty which will give him confidence for the rest of the series. He looked good during his stay at the crease and looks determined to score a big one.
Australia start Day 2 cautiously but lose two wickets early
Meanwhile, Australia started Day 2 of the Test match cautiously with both the set batters looking to build from their excellent grind in the last session of Day 1.
It was Jasprit Bumrah again who provided India the first breakthrough of the day when he dismissed Nathan McSweeney off a brilliant delivery. Bumrah bowled a perfect ball outside off that straightened a touch to catch McSweeney’s outside edge.
Bumrah didn’s stop here and soon removed Steve Smith to rock Australia further. Smith was dismissed for just 2 off 11 balls as India made its way back into the match.
While Bumrah has been right on money, the other bowlers have failed to support him so far. All the three wickets of Australia’s innings have been taken by Bumrah so far.