Australia bounced back in the Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25 with a bang as they annihilated India by 10 wickets in the second test in Adelaide. The Pat Cummins-led side continued their dominance in the pink-ball tests to extend their record to 12-1.
The first innings was an exact replica of the Perth test which saw the Indian batters failing to be potent enough against the hosts’ fast bowling unit. Nitish Kumar Reddy was again the savior with an impactful 42, with three fours and as many sixes to push India’s total to 180. Mitchell Starc was the wrecker-in-chief with a six-fer.
Although, Australia started on a cautious note, they managed to get a strong platform on the back of contributions from Marnus Labuschagne (64) and Nathan McSweeney (39).
Thereafter, the Indian bowlers were clueless against Travis Head, who displayed his aggressive intent to slam 140 off 141, with 17 fours and four sixes. Head’s dismissal off Mohammed Siraj erupted in a controversy, as both bowlers engaged in a war of words.
The hosts were finally all-out for 337, as Jasprit Bumrah and Siraj scalped four wickets each. They took a monumental lead of 157 runs to put India under incessant pressure.
Australia maintain dominance to unsettle India in second innings
The second innings saw Australian captain Pat Cummins securing an early breakthrough of KL Rahul (7). Although, Yashasvi Jaiswal (24) employed his positive intent, the southpaw was dismissed by Scott Boland soon.
Virat Kohli couldn’t turn back the clock in Adelaide as Boland sent him packing for 11. Shubman Gill, who looked comfortable at the crease perished for 28 off 30.
Cummins bowled a peach of a delivery to end his counterpart Rohit Sharma’s (6) disastrous test and put India on the backfoot at 105/5.
In only the first over of the third day, Mitchell Starc induced an outside edge of Rishabh Pant (28). Soon, the tail-enders also gave away their wickets owing to the short-ball tactics used by Australia.
Nitish Kumar Reddy continued his brilliant form with his counter-attacking mindset and garnered boundaries at his will. Although, he got a good connection with his uppercut off Cummins, Nathan McSweeney was stationed in the third-man region, resulting in Reddy returning to the hut for 42 off 47.
The Indian team were bundled out 174, while Cummins picked up a fifer for Australia. Chasing only 19, McSweeney (10*) and Usman Khawaja (9*) remained unbeaten to help the side level the series.
Both teams now head to Brisbane for the third test, beginning on December 14.
FAQs
What is India’s record in pink-ball tests?
3-2
When did India last win a pink-ball test?
2022 against Sri Lanka
