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The second Test of the India tour of Australia, a Day-Night affair at the Adelaide Oval, began with intense competition under the pink-ball conditions. India opted to bat first, but Mitchell Starc’s six-wicket masterclass dismantled their batting lineup, restricting them to a modest total of 180. While KL Rahul and Shubman Gill showed glimpses of form, the rest of the batting order crumbled against Australia’s fiery pace attack. In reply, Australia reached 86/1 by stumps, trailing by 94 runs. Nathan McSweeney and Marnus Labuschagne forged a steady p🦩artnership for ꦗthe second wicket.
India’s batting collapse under Mitchell Starc’s brilliance
India’s innings started on a nightmare note as Yashasvi Jaiswal fell for a golden duck off Mitchell Starc’s first ball. KL Rahul and Shubman Gill showed composure, adding 69 runs for the second wicket, but their dismissals triggered a collapse. Starc, swinging the pink ball prodigiously, ran through the middle and lower order to finish with an exceptional 6/48. Pat Cummins and Scott Boland provided vital support, picking up two wickets each. Nitish Kumar Reddy fought valiantly with an aggressive 42, and Ravichandran Ashwin chipped in with 22, but I𒅌ndia folded for a below-par 180 in just 44.1 overs.
Australia’s steady reply under testing conditions
Australia’s response began cautiously under the floodlights, with Usman Khawaja falling to Jasprit Bumrah for 13 after a watchful start. However, McSweeney and Marnus Labuschagne combined grit and skill to steady the innings. The duo added an unbeaten 62-run partnership, negating India’s pace trio and punishing loose deliveries. McSweeney looked assured on 38 not out, while Labuschagne provided soꦏlid support with 20 not out. The Indian bowlers, led by Bumrah, kept things tight, but the lack of breakthroughs left Australia in a commanding position at 86/1 by stumps.
Also READ: AUS vs IND: Fans flood social media with memes after Rohit 🐠Sharma’s disappointing return on Day 1 of Adelaide Test
Starc’s dominance with the pink ball
Starc was the star performer on Day 1, exploiting the pink ball’s swing and seam movement to devastating effect. He struck in his first over and consistently troubled the Indian batters with his lethal combination of pace and accuracy. Starc’s six-wicket haul included key dismissals like Rahul, Virat Kohli and Ashwin, breaking the backbone of India’s innings. His ability to extract movement under lights and maintain relentless pressure highlightꦡed why he is considered one of the best pink-ball bowlers in the world. Starc’s heroics have set the tone for Australia to take control of the Test match.
Australia, trailing by 106 runs, will look to build a substantial first-innings lead on Day 2. McSweeney and Labuschagne’s partnership will be crucial in setting a strong platform for the middle order featuring Smith and Head. For India, early wickets will be key to clawing back into the game, with Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj needing to deliver with precision.
Here’s how Twitter reacted
This Bumrah vs Marnus over under thಌe lights is amazing theat🅷re. I think you show this over to any sports fan and they’re engaged and enjoying it.
— Jomboy (@Jomboy_)
Pink ball Tests belong to Mitchell Starc. What a 🅘record and what a performance today. 🔥 |
— CricBlog ✍ (@cric_blog)
One important reason why Virat’s average has slipped to 48 now, is 🍷the unfortunate weakness outside of🌳f. But more crucially his adamance to not try another way to tackle it.
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar)
71 wickets (and counting)𓃲 in 24 innings @ 17🍰.94/34.9 with 4 five-fers and 6 four-fers. Pink ball Mitchell Starc is a menace.
— Mayank (@ImMayankB)
Rohit in all likeꦯlihood is playing his final Test series. Not sure where the runs are going to come from for him against this attack.
— Saurabh Malhotra (@MalhotraSaurabh)
Starc Five!
Starc going really well as per his𒊎 caliber and skill with Pink Ball.
He has a five wicket haul. Well bowled!
— Nikhil 🏏 (@CricCrazyNIKS)
That's 2015 World Cup Starc. Absolutely sensational. Instant impact in a fresh spell
— Soorya Sesha (@sooryasesha7)
Fire, wild fire, NKR fire 🔥🤩
— SunRisers Hyderabad (@SunRisers)
It was all Mitchell Starc early, while Nathan McSweeney found 🔯his feet later on day one.
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau)
Best figures for Mitchell Starc in Tests 🏏
6/48* vs India Adelaide, 2024
6/50 vs Sri Lanka Galle, 2016— betvisa69.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
