Hometown hero Travis Head lit up day two of the pink-ball Test with a scintillating century, thrilling the Adelaide crowd and dismantling India’s bowling attack. Head’s explosive 140 off 141 deliveries propelled Australia to a commanding first-innings lead of 157 runs.
India faced a daunting final session under the floodlights, and the pink ball proved its worth as the visitors crumbled, losing half their side in the tricky conditions. By stumps, India had reached 128 for 5, still trailing by 29 runs and staring at an uphill battle ahead.
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Head’s Explosive Knock Lights Up Adelaide
Travis Head walked in to thunderous applause from his home crowd, facing a precarious situation after Jasprit Bumrah removed Nathan McSweeney and Steven Smith within 13 balls. McSweeney added just one run to his overnight tally of 38 before nicking a sharp delivery to Rishabh Pant, while Smith fell cheaply for 2, caught down the leg side.
On a day when Australia’s batting looked shaky, especially after floodlight failures on the opening day, Head took matters into his own hands. Despite a nervy start, missing four of his first nine deliveries, he stuck to his aggressive game plan. Staying leg-side of the ball, he unleashed a flurry of shots square on the off side, exploiting the shorter boundaries. He didn’t shy away from power, smashing R. Ashwin for two massive sixes, including a jaw-dropping 110-meter hit over the sightscreen.
Head reached his fifty off 63 balls and shifted gears to notch up his century in just 48 more deliveries. His celebration was heartfelt, rocking his bat like a baby in honor of his family’s new arrival, with his wife present among the 51,642-strong crowd. A warm embrace from fellow South Australian Alex Carey added to the moment.
Head has become a recurring nightmare for Indian bowlers. Since 2023, he has amassed 1052 runs in 19 innings against India across formats, averaging 61.9, with three centuries, including crucial knocks in the WTC final and the ODI World Cup final.
Head and Labuschagne Steady Australia with Contrasting Knocks
Travis Head anchored Australia’s innings on Saturday, sharing key partnerships of 65 with Marnus Labuschagne and 74 with Alex Carey. While Head’s aggressive approach dominated the day, Labuschagne offered a steady, fluent counterpoint, working hard to regain form after scoring just 123 runs in his last ten Test innings, with 90 of those coming in a single knock against New Zealand.
Labuschagne, tested more rigorously by India’s seamers on the second afternoon, showcased his class by punishing any stray deliveries. He reached a composed fifty off 114 balls and celebrated by taking the inconsistent Harshit Rana for three boundaries in four balls, including a delightful late cut. However, Labuschagne’s innings ended at 72 when he attempted a similar shot off Nitish Kumar Reddy’s slower, shorter delivery and was caught at gully.
Head, in contrast, was ruthless against Rana, smashing him for 41 runs off just 29 deliveries. It seemed immaterial where the ball was pitched—short, full, on the stumps, or outside off—Head dispatched everything with ease, showcasing his dominance and flair.
Siraj and Bumrah Shine Amid Head’s Onslaught
Mohammed Siraj provided crucial support to Jasprit Bumrah, giving India some control during Australia’s innings. Siraj picked up his first wicket by extracting extra bounce, drawing an edge from Alex Carey.
R. Ashwin also claimed a wicket, albeit with some fortune. Mitchell Marsh, shaping to defend an offbreak that didn’t turn, walked off immediately after being given out by umpire Richard Illingworth without considering a review. Replays and Snicko later revealed that the ball had missed the edge entirely.
Even against the second new ball, Travis Head maintained his aggressive approach, whipping Bumrah for consecutive boundaries. He followed it up by launching Siraj for a towering six over square leg. However, Siraj had the final say, delivering a pinpoint yorker to dismiss Head. The fiery pacer celebrated with a send-off that drew boos from the Adelaide crowd, displeased with the gesture toward their hometown hero.
Siraj wasn’t done, though. He returned after tea to remove Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland in quick succession, wrapping up Australia’s innings for 337. Bumrah, who briefly received medical attention after discomfort early in his second new-ball spell, recovered to clean up Pat Cummins and finish his impactful spell.
Cummins and Boland Leave India Reeling Under Lights
Pat Cummins wasted no time making an impact with the ball, removing KL Rahul with a sharp lifter that cramped the batter for room, dismissing him for 7 off 10 deliveries. Just before stumps, the Australian skipper delivered a beauty to hit the top of Rohit Sharma’s off stump, capping off a tough day for India.
Rohit endured a shaky innings, starting with a blow to the helmet off his first ball from Mitchell Starc. He was bowled off the next delivery, but a no-ball spared him. However, Cummins ensured there was no further reprieve, rattling Rohit’s stumps in the closing moments of the day with a perfectly executed delivery.
Scott Boland played a key role as well, striking with his very first ball to dismiss Yashasvi Jaiswal for 24 off 31 balls. Later, he forced Virat Kohli into an edge with a precise fourth-stump delivery, further demonstrating his knack for consistency and control. Boland’s seamless integration into the attack has created a potential selection dilemma for the Brisbane Test, especially with Josh Hazlewood eyeing a return.
Mitchell Starc, surprisingly wicketless with the pink new ball, made up for it with the older one, dismantling Shubman Gill’s defences with a trademark inswinger that left the batter stunned. Australia’s relentless bowling performance has left India under significant pressure heading into day three.
Pant’s Counter-Attack Offers a Glimmer of Hope
Amid a flurry of Indian wickets, Rishabh Pant stayed true to his trademark audacity. Unfazed by the situation, Pant charged out to his first delivery, creating room to loft it over mid-off for four. He followed it up with an inventive reverse pull and a falling scoop, momentarily unsettling Australia’s quick bowlers.
Pant’s unbeaten 28 off 25 balls showcased his fearless approach and kept India’s faint hopes alive. For India to stage an unlikely comeback, Pant will need to sustain his aggression while receiving steadfast support from young Nitish Kumar Reddy. Day three promises to be a defining chapter in this enthralling contest.
Australia vs India 2nd Test Day 2 Summary
India: 180 all out (Nitish Reddy 42; Mitchell Starc 6-48) & 128/5 (Pant 28*, Cummins 2/33, Boland 2/39)
Australia: 337 (Head 140, Labuschagne 64, Bumrah 4-61, Siraj 4-98)
Trail: India by 29 runs
Looking Ahead to Day 3
Under the lights on day one, India’s seamers extracted more swing and seam compared to Australia’s effort on day two. However, only 4.6% of India’s deliveries were aimed at the stumps, resulting in figures of 1/71. In contrast, Australia targeted the stumps with 11.6% of their deliveries, yielding 5/119.
A fantastic day for Australia. Marnus Labuschagne continued from where he left off, battling hard to regain form with a gritty half-century. Bumrah and Siraj bowled tightly in the opening hour, with Bumrah claiming two key wickets. Travis Head received a rousing reception from the Adelaide crowd as he came to the crease, and the left-hander lived up to the expectations. After a slightly scratchy start, he settled in and scored briskly, delighting fans with an entertaining 140. His efforts helped the hosts establish a strong 157-run lead.
Under the lights, the Australian pacers were relentless with the pink ball. Boland and Cummins picked up two wickets each, while Starc produced a brilliant inswinger to dismiss Gill. India finds itself in deep trouble, trailing by 29 runs with only five wickets remaining. Pant has shown some flair with five bold boundaries, but for India to remain competitive, both he and the young Nitish must produce something extraordinary.
As it stands, Australia are firm favorites to seal the match and level the series 1-1. Join us tomorrow to see how the action unfolds!
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FAQs
How did Travis Head perform in the Adelaide Test?
Travis Head scored a blistering 140 off 141 balls, powering Australia to a 157-run first-innings lead and thrilling the home crowd.
How effective were Australia’s bowlers under lights?
Australia’s pacers were lethal, with Pat Cummins and Scott Boland taking two wickets each, and Mitchell Starc dismissing Shubman Gill with a stunning inswinger.
What role did Marnus Labuschagne play in Australia’s innings?
Marnus Labuschagne scored a composed 64, adding crucial partnerships with Head and Alex Carey to stabilize Australia’s innings.
How has Rishabh Pant responded to the challenging situation?
Rishabh Pant counter-attacked with an unbeaten 28 off 25 balls, showcasing his signature aggressive style despite India’s precarious position.
What is the current match scenario?
India, trailing by 29 runs, are at 128/5 in their second innings, with Pant and Nitish Kumar Reddy tasked with saving the match.
