Australia ended Day 1 of the second Test against India in a commanding position, thanks to a sensational bowling display by Mitchell Starc.
The left-arm pacer dismantled India’s batting lineup, claiming six wickets for just 48 runs as the visitors were bowled out for a modest 180 after electing to bat first at the Adelaide Oval.
Although Australia lost Usman Khawaja early in their reply, they closed the day at 86/1, trailing by 94 runs. Nathan McSweeney and Marnus Labuschagne steadied the ship with an unbeaten 62-run partnership, setting the stage for the hosts to potentially take a first-innings lead.
Starc’s Masterclass Shines Bright
Mitchell Starc’s fiery spell rattled the Indian batting order from the outset. He set the tone on the very first delivery, dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal with a brilliant in-swinger that trapped the left-hander plumb in front. Starc later claimed the scalps of KL Rahul (37) and Shubman Gill (31), just as the pair seemed to stabilize India’s innings.
Starc continued his dominance after dinner, removing key players including Virat Kohli and Ravichandran Ashwin. He completed his six-wicket haul by dismissing Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was India’s standout performer with the bat.
Nitish Kumar Reddy’s Counter-Attack
Reddy, playing only his second Test, showcased resilience with an aggressive knock of 42 runs off 54 balls. His innings featured three fours and three sixes, including a spectacular reverse-scoop for six off Scott Boland. Reddy’s counter-attack provided a glimmer of hope for India after their top-order collapse.
Despite Reddy’s effort, India’s innings failed to gain momentum as Australia’s bowlers maintained their grip. Boland chipped in with a crucial wicket, dismissing Shubman Gill just before dinner, further tilting the balance in Australia’s favor.
Team Changes and Context
India made three changes to their lineup, with Rohit Sharma returning as captain alongside the inclusion of Shubman Gill and Ravichandran Ashwin. Meanwhile, Australia replaced Josh Hazlewood with Scott Boland, a decision that paid dividends as the hosts looked to level the five-match Border-Gavaskar series.
Trailing 1-0 in the series, Australia’s stellar performance on Day 1 has set the tone for a strong comeback. With McSweeney and Labuschagne looking settled at the crease, the hosts are in a prime position to take a commanding lead in the match.