A commanding performance from Australia! Under immense pressure heading into this Test—touted by some as an era-defining clash for this generation of players—they delivered in spectacular fashion. Losing the toss and being asked to bowl first, Mitchell Starc set the tone by trapping Jaiswal LBW on the very first ball. From that moment, there was no looking back. Starc claimed a brilliant six-wicket haul as India were bowled out for 180.
Facing the challenging twilight session, McSweeney and Marnus Labuschagne steadied the ship, ensuring Australia ended Day 1 just one down. Day 2 began under bright skies, and although India struck early, local hero Travis Head lit up the Adelaide crowd with a scintillating 140. His innings, supported by a determined Labuschagne, who was fighting to secure his spot, gave Australia a commanding lead of 157. Labuschagne’s gritty knock ended with a fine catch by Jaiswal, but the damage had been done.
Australia’s bowlers then capitalized on the pink-ball conditions, dismantling India’s batting lineup under the lights to leave them reeling at stumps. The final day was a mere formality, with Australia chasing down the modest target of 19 without losing a wicket to seal a resounding 10-wicket victory.
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Cummins’ Five-Wicket Masterclass Leads Australia to Pink-Ball Triumph
Pat Cummins’ sensational five-wicket haul sealed Australia’s commanding victory in the pink-ball Test at Adelaide Oval, leveling the series in emphatic fashion on the third afternoon. India’s fate was sealed early as Mitchell Starc struck in the first over of the day, dismissing Rishabh Pant for his overnight score of 28 with a perfectly pitched delivery. The Indian innings crumbled to 175, folding within the first hour of play.
Requiring just 19 runs to win, Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney wrapped up the chase in four overs before the first interval.
India had flirted with the prospect of an innings defeat when Cummins unleashed a barrage of short-pitched deliveries. R. Ashwin, Harshit Rana, and Nitish Kumar Reddy succumbed to the fiery spells, with Cummins proving unstoppable. The Adelaide crowd erupted when local hero Travis Head pulled off a spectacular tumbling catch to dismiss Mohammed Siraj, who had drawn the ire of the crowd with his send-off antics the previous day.
Australia didn’t need Head’s batting heroics in the second innings as Khawaja and McSweeney calmly applied the finishing touches to a comprehensive win.
Australia Strike Back with a Clinical Display in Adelaide
After enduring a 295-run humbling in Perth, which sparked sharp criticism and bold predictions, Australia bounced back with a near-perfect performance in Adelaide, leveling the series in style and setting the stage for an enticing remainder of the contest.
Pat Cummins, who appeared below par in the opening Test, delivered a masterful turnaround. His resurgence was evident as he dismantled India’s batting lineup with precision and adaptability. On Saturday night, under the pink-ball lights, Cummins showcased his class by uprooting Rohit Sharma’s off stump with a peach of a delivery. The following day, he adjusted his lengths expertly with the older ball under natural light, compensating for the lack of swing and seam.
Ashwin was caught gloving a shorter delivery to the keeper, while Harshit Rana succumbed to a venomous bouncer, lobbing a catch to gully. Cummins’ fiery spell was instrumental in pushing Australia to a dominant victory, firmly announcing their intent in the series.
Reddy Shines Amid India’s Collapse as Australia Dominate in Record-Breaking Test
Nitish Kumar Reddy displayed courage against Pat Cummins, hooking a throat-high bouncer over square leg for six despite two fielders stationed on the boundary. However, Cummins outsmarted him the very next ball, angling one across from around the wicket, which Reddy ramped straight to fine third.
Reddy’s spirited 42 off 47 balls marked his third top score in four innings during his debut Test series. Despite his efforts, India faced only 81 overs across both innings, resulting in the shortest pink-ball Test in Australia and the shortest ever played between the two sides.
The Adelaide crowd of 33,184 had plenty to celebrate. Their adopted son Nathan McSweeney delighted with two exquisite boundaries during the brief chase, while local hero Travis Head capped off a brilliant Test with the Player-of-the-Match award.
Australia vs India 2nd Test Summary
India:
- 1st Innings: 180 (Nitish Kumar Reddy 42; Mitchell Starc 6-48, Mitchell Marsh 2-12)
- 2nd Innings: 175 (Nitish Kumar Reddy 42; Pat Cummins 5-57)
Australia:
- 1st Innings: 337 (Travis Head 140, Marnus Labuschagne 64; Jasprit Bumrah 4-59, Mohammed Siraj 4-98)
- 2nd Innings: 19/0
Result: Australia won by 10 wickets.
Looking Forward to the 3rd Test: India Face Selection Dilemmas Ahead of Brisbane Test
With the third Test set to begin in Brisbane on December 14, India have pressing questions to address. Should they persist with the current batting order, or is it time for a reshuffle? The bowling unit also demands attention, with Akash Deep or Prasidh Krishna potentially replacing Harshit Rana for better effectiveness.
Nitish Kumar Reddy has been the standout performer for the visitors, but the team may consider bringing in Ravindra Jadeja, whose all-round abilities and control with the ball could provide balance to the side.
Plenty of decisions await as India look to bounce back in the series. Stay tuned for all the developments in the days to come. See you in Brisbane!
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FAQs
How did Australia perform in the pink-ball Test in Adelaide?
Australia dominated with a near-perfect performance, winning by 10 wickets and leveling the series. Pat Cummins and Travis Head were standout performers.
What were the key highlights of Pat Cummins’ bowling in the second Test?
Cummins claimed a five-wicket haul, including crucial dismissals of Rohit Sharma, R. Ashwin, and Harshit Rana, using variations in length and bounce effectively.
How did Nitish Kumar Reddy fare in the match?
Reddy top-scored for India with a spirited 42 off 47 balls, his third top score in four innings during his maiden Test series.
What records were set during the Adelaide Test?
The match became the shortest pink-ball Test in Australia and the shortest Test between India and Australia, with India facing only 81 overs across both innings.
What selection dilemmas does India face ahead of the Brisbane Test?
India must decide on the batting order, consider replacing Harshit Rana with Akash Deep or Prasidh Krishna, and evaluate whether Ravindra Jadeja’s inclusion could provide more control and balance.
