Friday, 27 December 2024
Friday, 27 December 2024
In a masterful display of pink-ball bowling that will be remembered for years to come, Mitchell Starc orchestrated India's downfall with a career-defining six-wicket haul, setting the stage for Australia's dominance on the opening day of the day-night Test at Adelaide Oval.
The left-arm paceman, whose previous performances against India had been modest, finally unleashed his full potential under the Adelaide lights, finishing with figures of 6/48. His spell was a clinic in swing bowling, featuring his trademark inswingers that repeatedly breached India's defensive techniques.
India's decision to bat first on a grass-kissed pitch raised eyebrows among cricket pundits, and their worst fears materialized when young sensation Yashasvi Jaiswal fell to Starc's very first delivery. The ball, pitched full and swinging late, trapped Jaiswal in front, silencing the significant Indian contingent in the crowd.
However, what followed was a period of resilience that briefly suggested India might weather the storm. KL Rahul and the returning Shubman Gill constructed a 69-run partnership that showcased classical Test match batting. Gill, fresh from recovering from a thumb injury, particularly caught the eye with his elegant stroke play, including four boundaries off Starc's bowling that demonstrated his growing stature in international cricket.
The partnership's promise, though, was shattered by Starc's mid-session burst. Rahul, who had grafted his way to 37, fell to a rising delivery that found the edge, while Virat Kohli's brief stay at the crease (7 runs) was terminated by another Starc special that reared unexpectedly from a good length.
The day's most compelling narrative emerged from the bat of Nitish Reddy, whose fearless 42 provided a glimpse of India's future. The young right-hander's innings was a perfect blend of technique and aggression, highlighted by three audacious sixes that momentarily shifted the momentum. His reverse scoop over the slip cordon off Boland was a shot that belonged more to modern white-ball cricket but showcased the evolving nature of Test batting.
Captain Rohit Sharma's experiment to bat in the middle order – his first such attempt in six years – backfired spectacularly as he managed just three runs before falling to Boland's precise seam bowling. Rishabh Pant's typically aggressive 21 and Ravichandran Ashwin's cultured 22 provided brief resistance, but India's final total of 180 seemed well below par on a pitch that, while challenging, wasn't unplayable.
Australia's response demonstrated this fact eloquently. Despite losing Usman Khawaja early to a spectacular delivery from birthday boy Jasprit Bumrah, the hosts showed remarkable application. Nathan McSweeney, benefiting from an early reprieve when Pant grassed a regulation catch, grew in confidence to reach an unbeaten 38. His partnership with Marnus Labuschagne (20 not out) has already yielded valuable runs, taking Australia to a solid 86/1 at stumps.
The contrast in batting approaches was stark. While India's batsmen, barring Reddy, seemed caught between attack and defense, Australia's measured response has positioned them perfectly to take a substantial first-innings lead. Labuschagne, under pressure to retain his place, showed admirable patience, taking 19 deliveries to get off the mark but settling in thereafter.
Looking ahead to day two, India's bowlers face an uphill task. While Bumrah maintained his exceptional standards, the support cast needs to step up considerably. The Australian batting lineup, with several key players still to come, will fancy their chances of building a significant lead in the more favorable daylight conditions.
For India, who made three changes from their victorious first Test team, this day served as a harsh reminder of pink-ball cricket's unique challenges. The inclusion of Rohit, Gill, and Ashwin in place of Padikkal, Jurel, and Sundar was meant to strengthen their lineup, but Australian conditions, particularly under lights, continued to prove a stern test of their batting credentials.
As the Adelaide Oval empties after a day dominated by baggy green success, the question isn't just whether India can fight back, but how they'll adapt their approach to pink-ball cricket in the future. For now, they trail by 94 runs, and Australia's grip on this Test match grows stronger with each passing session.
Score Summary
India: 180 all out (44.1 overs) Nitish Reddy 42, KL Rahul 37, Shubman Gill 31 Mitchell Starc 6/48
Australia: 86/1 (33 overs) Nathan McSweeney 38*, Marnus Labuschagne 20* Jasprit Bumrah 1/13
