2nd Test: Australia Needs Just 19 Runs for Victory Against India

Adelaide, Dec 8 (NationPress) Australia stands on the brink of victory, needing a mere 19 runs to win the Adelaide Test and equalize the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series. This advantage follows an impressive performance by skipper Pat Cummins, who utilized short balls effectively to secure figures of 5-57 in his 14 overs, bowling India out for 175 in their second innings during the third day’s play on Sunday.

Starting from a position of 128/5, India managed to add just 47 runs before their innings was swiftly concluded in 36.5 overs by Australia. Nitish Kumar Reddy showcased his talent by top-scoring with 42 runs.

Cummins led the charge with his second five-wicket haul against India in Test matches, while Scott Boland claimed three wickets and Mitchell Starc took two, placing Australia in a strong position to stage a remarkable comeback in the five-match series after a heavy 295-run loss in Perth.

India’s attempt to recover was short-lived on day three, as Starc bowled a full delivery that straightened off the seam to catch Rishabh Pant’s outside edge, dismissing him for 28 at second slip. Cummins’ strategy with bouncers paid off as he induced a glove edge from Ravichandran Ashwin’s hook, which was easily taken by Alex Carey.

Despite Reddy's resilient defense, Cummins struck again with a bouncer that resulted in a shoulder edge from a flailing Harshit Rana, who was caught in the gully shortly after Starc had hit him on the helmet with a rapid delivery.

Reddy briefly pushed India into a slight lead, smashing Boland over long-on for a one-bounce four and hooking a bouncer from Cummins for six over backward square leg. However, Cummins had the final say as Reddy attempted a ramp shot over the slips but was caught by the third man. Boland wrapped up India’s innings by having Mohammed Siraj mistime a catch to Travis Head at mid-wicket, who backpedaled and fell to complete the catch.

Brief Scores: India 180 and 175 in 36.5 overs (Nitish Kumar Reddy 42, Rishabh Pant 28; Pat Cummins 5-57, Scott Boland 3-51) trail Australia 337 by 18 runs.