2nd Test: Mitchell Starc Claims 3-31 as Australia Restricts India to 82/4
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Adelaide, Dec 6 (NationPress) Left-arm fast-bowler Mitchell Starc grabbed three wickets to hinder India's batting efforts, wrapping up their innings at 82/4 in 23 overs during the dinner break on the opening day of the day-night Test at the Adelaide Oval on Friday.
With overcast skies above, the initial session provided thrilling moments of cricket as Starc dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal lbw with the very first delivery of the match. Following this, India seemed to be establishing their innings, with a significant 69-run partnership formed between KL Rahul and Shubman Gill.
Starc's return to the bowling lineup proved pivotal as he struck twice more, first getting rid of Rahul and then Virat Kohli, while Scott Boland trapped Gill lbw, causing India's score to plummet from 69/1 to 81/4, turning the session in favor of the hosts.
With Rishabh Pant and Rohit Sharma at the crease, batting at number six for the first time in six years, remaining unbeaten on four and one respectively, their ability to revive India's innings is critical for the visitors, who currently lead the five-match series 1-0.
In the morning session, India won the toss and opted to bat first, while Australia donned black armbands to honor Phil Hughes and Ian Redpath. Starc initiated the contest with a brilliant delivery that swung back in to trap Jaiswal lbw for a golden duck.
Gill returned to the squad after missing the Perth Test due to a left thumb injury and immediately made an impact with his aggressive strokes, hitting four boundaries off Starc. Rahul demonstrated patience and appeared solid in defense until he fended at Boland's opening delivery, where it seemed he had been caught behind for an 18-ball duck.
However, replays indicated that Rahul was fortunate, as Boland had overstepped the crease and the snickometer confirmed no edge off the bat. Just five balls later, Rahul was given another chance when Usman Khawaja dropped a catch at slip.
Taking advantage of Australia’s errors, Rahul and Gill established a stand of 69 runs for the second wicket. Just when it appeared that the session might conclude favorably for India, Starc returned to alter the course of the match dramatically.
He first dismissed Rahul, who fended a back-of-the-length delivery to the diving gully, then forced Kohli into a dilemma, resulting in his catch in the slips. Boland, playing his first Test in 18 months, then trapped a lazily flicking Gill plumb lbw for 31, ensuring Australia finished the session strongly by claiming the last three Indian wickets for just 12 runs in 16 balls.
Brief scores: India 82/4 in 23 overs (KL Rahul 37, Shubman Gill 31; Mitchell Starc 3-31, Scott Boland 1-24) against Australia.
