Adelaide, December 7, 2024 – The second day of India vs Australia the Border-Gavaskar Trophy’s second Test at the Adelaide Oval saw Australia seize control, courtesy of a stellar performance by Travis Head, who smashed a scintillating century to give the hosts a significant lead of 157 runs. India, trailing 1-0 in the five-match series, now face an uphill task to wrestle back momentum.
Head’s Masterclass Anchors Australia’s Innings in India vs Australia
Resuming the day at 86/1 in India vs Australia, Australia faced early resistance from the Indian bowlers. Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj kept a tight leash on the scoring, with Bumrah scalping the crucial wicket of Nathan McSweeney for 38. Steve Smith’s stay at the crease was short-lived as Bumrah dismissed him for 17, further intensifying India’s hopes of restricting the hosts.
However, Travis Head had other plans. The left-hander weathered the early storm and launched a counter-attack, showcasing a mix of aggression and finesse. His 140 off 137 balls was punctuated with powerful strokes, including 15 boundaries and two sixes. Head reached his eighth Test century in style, receiving thunderous applause from the packed Adelaide crowd.
Marnus Labuschagne, who contributed 64, provided valuable support. Together, they stitched a 95-run partnership that turned the tide in Australia’s favor. Labuschagne’s gritty innings ended when he edged a delivery from debutant Nitish Reddy to the slips, leaving Australia at 168/4.
India Strikes Back with Bumrah and Siraj
India’s bowlers kept chipping away at regular intervals despite Head’s brilliance. Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah were the standout performers for India, claiming four wickets each. Bumrah’s lethal precision rattled the stumps twice, sending Pat Cummins and Mitchell Marsh back to the pavilion.
Siraj, too, bowled with fiery intent, dismissing Alex Carey and the dangerous Mitchell Starc. His spirited celebration after uprooting Carey’s stumps symbolized India’s determination to stay in the fight. Australia’s tailenders added crucial runs, with Starc and Scott Boland frustrating the Indian bowlers before Siraj wrapped up the innings, dismissing Boland for a duck.
Australia eventually posted a formidable total of 337, securing a lead of 157 runs over India’s first-innings score of 180.
India’s Rocky Start in the Second Innings
India’s openers faced a daunting task of wiping out the deficit under the Adelaide floodlights. Mitchell Starc, fresh off a sensational six-wicket haul in the first innings, continued his red-hot form. His sharp inswingers and relentless pace posed a constant threat to the Indian batters.
Yashasvi Jaiswal got off the mark with a boundary but fell soon after, misjudging a delivery from Starc. KL Rahul managed a couple of elegant boundaries but was undone by a probing delivery from Pat Cummins, edging it to the keeper. Shubman Gill, India’s last recognized opener, looked to counterattack, finding gaps with precision. However, India ended Day 2 precariously at 16/1, still trailing by 145 runs.
Starc and Cummins: A Lethal Pair
Australia’s bowlers, particularly Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins, have been instrumental in keeping India under pressure throughout the Test. Starc’s career-best figures of 6-48 in the first innings set the tone for the match. His ability to generate swing and extract bounce from the surface left the Indian lineup reeling.
Cummins, on the other hand, bowled with immaculate discipline and intensity, exploiting the cracks on the pitch. His dismissal of KL Rahul was a testament to his class, as he induced a faint edge with a perfectly pitched outswinger.
Day 3: A Crucial Battle Ahead
As the players walked off the field, the equation became clear: India must bat out of their skins to turn the game around. With a daunting deficit of 145 runs and the Australian bowlers in top form, the onus now lies on India’s middle order, led by captain Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli, to stage a comeback.
For Australia, the mission is simple—continue to pile on the pressure and aim for quick wickets early on Day 3. With the pink ball offering movement under lights, the Australian bowlers will fancy their chances of dismantling India’s batting lineup and pushing for a 1-1 series equalizer.
Key Performances on Day 2
- Travis Head: 140 off 137 balls (15 fours, 2 sixes)
- Marnus Labuschagne: 64 off 117 balls (8 fours)
- Jasprit Bumrah: 4/68
- Mohammed Siraj: 4/83
What Lies Ahead
The match is intriguingly poised, with Australia holding the upper hand. India’s ability to claw back will depend heavily on partnerships and their batsmen’s application against a charged-up Australian attack. The Adelaide Oval pitch has started to show signs of wear, with spinners likely to play a more significant role as the game progresses.
With the series hanging in the balance, Day 3 promises high drama and intense cricket. Can India script a remarkable comeback, or will Australia march toward a series-leveling victory? The next day’s play could very well decide the fate of the match and set the tone for the remainder of the series.
