Australia Vs India 2nd Test, Day 2: India On The Brink Of Collapse

Australia Vs India 2nd Test, Day 2: Australia Take Strangle Hold of the Adelaide Test

It was the story of two contrasting batting performances on day 2 of the Adelaide Test, but one very heavily one-sided, as Australia put up 337 to take a massive first-innings lead of 157 runs by the close. India’s brittle batting failed to stand up to the challenge and lost five wickets for just 128 at stumps.

With Rishabh Pant on 28* and Nitish Reddy on 15*, India trails by 29 runs, and the visitors now face an uphill battle to salvage the match.

Masterclass: A Knock for the Ages by Travis Head

The sparkler 140 off 141 balls from Travis Head was the bedrock of Australia’s supremacy coming in after the dismissal of Marnus Labuschagne (64), Head took attack to the Indian bowlers with bold stroke play.

Key Takeaways from Head’s Knock

• He had scored his eighth Test century in just 111 balls, the fastest in pink ball Tests.
• Played a range of beautiful shots, including a pick-up six over deep square leg off Mohammed Siraj.
• Survived a reprieve on 76 when Siraj dropped a catch after a slog-sweep off Ashwin.

Head’s dismissal finally came when Siraj (4/98) found an edge to dismiss him, but by then, Australia’s lead had crossed 150, leaving India on the back foot.

India’s Second-Innings Blues Continue

India’s reply started off on the wrong note as their top order once again crumbled to the disciplined bowling of Australia. India lost KL Rahul (7), Yashasvi Jaiswal (24), Virat Kohli (11), Shubman Gill (28). At 86/4, India’s hopes were as good as pinned on the wayward Rishabh Pant, who batted with recklessness, despite the precarious situation.

Pant’s Counter-Attack: A Ray of Resistance

Never one to be cowed down by the mounting pressure, Pant treated the 50,000 Adelaide crowd to attacking cricket.

• First Ball Boundary: Pant danced down the track to Boland and crashed him over mid-off.
• Aggressive Intent: At times he played some wayward shots against Australia’s quicks and gave the visitors hope.

Nitish Reddy complemented Pant with a calming 15 off 14 balls, as India finished the day at 128/5.

Bowling highlights: Australian pacers rule.

The pink ball movement under lights did further play on Australia’s bowlers, making life miserable for India’s batsmen.

• Scott Boland: Struck twice in quick succession to send back Jaiswal and Kohli continuing with his reputation of being India’s nemesis.
• Mitchell Starc: A textbook in-swinger uproots the middle stump to clean up Shubman Gill.

Day 2 Summary: Australia Still in Firm Control

The second day ended with Australia firmly in the driver’s seat thanks to Travis Head’s brilliance and their bowlers’ relentless assault.

Australia First Innings: 337 all out. Head 140, Labuschagne 64; Siraj 4/98, Bumrah 4/61.
India Second Innings 128/5 (Pant 28*, Reddy 15*; Boland 2/39,Cummins2/33, Starc 1/49).

Day 3 What to Expect

With India trailing by 29 runs and having only five wickets in hand, Day 3 will most likely decide the Test. A lot of hopes rest in Pant’s counter-attacking brilliance and the bowling of the lower order and their ability to extend their innings. Meanwhile, the Australians will look to consolidate their position by maintaining pressure through their bowling.

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