06-Dec-2024, 01:16 PM
On Day 1 of the second Test between India and Australia at the Adelaide Oval, the Indian batting lineup faced a severe challenge, collapsing to 82 for 4 as Mitchell Starc wreaked havoc on the top order. The match, played under lights with a pink ball, began with India winning the toss and opting to bat, a decision that quickly proved to be fraught with difficulty.
Starc set the tone early, dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal for a duck in his first over, trapping him LBW with a delivery that shaped away sharply. This early breakthrough was followed by the dismissal of KL Rahul, who fell for just 18 runs. Despite a brief resistance from Shubman Gill, who managed to score 25 runs, the Australian bowlers maintained relentless pressure. Starc’s incisive bowling saw him claim three wickets in the first session alone, leading to India’s rapid decline from a promising start of 69 for 1 to a precarious 82 for 4 by tea.
The Indian batting lineup included key players like Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, both of whom returned after missing the previous Test. However, their returns did not provide the stability needed against an inspired Australian attack. Kohli’s dismissal was particularly significant; he edged a delivery from Starc to Steve Smith at slip after scoring just seven runs. This wicket further demoralized the Indian side as they struggled to find their footing against Australia’s aggressive bowling strategy.
As the day progressed, Rishabh Pant and Rohit Sharma were left to rebuild after losing four quick wickets. At tea, India stood at 82 for 4, with Pant on 4 and Rohit on just 1 run. The pressure was palpable as they sought to recover from Starc’s assault and stabilize the innings before potentially facing another batting collapse reminiscent of their infamous 36 all-out in the same venue during the 2020-21 series.
The Adelaide Test is crucial for both teams; India aims to extend their lead in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy after winning the first Test convincingly, while Australia seeks to bounce back from their recent defeat in Perth. With conditions favoring seam bowling under lights and Starc in fine form, India’s top order must regroup quickly to avoid further damage as they look to set a competitive total.
