Second Test: Cummins Claims 5-57 as Australia Achieves 10-Wicket Victory Against India
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Adelaide, December 8 (NationPress) Captain Pat Cummins effectively employed short balls, claiming 5-57 across his 14 overs to pave the way for Australia’s dominant ten-wicket victory against India on the third day of the second Test at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday. This result also equalizes the five-match series at 1-1.
Starting from 128/5, India could only muster an additional 47 runs before their second innings was quickly wrapped up in 36.5 overs by Australia, with Nitish Kumar Reddy standing out as he top-scored with 42.
Cummins led the attack brilliantly, achieving his second five-wicket haul in Test matches against India, while Scott Boland took three wickets and Mitchell Starc secured two, setting India a mere target of 19.
Openers Nathan McSweeney and Usman Khawaja remained not out on 10 and 9 respectively, as Australia completed the chase in just 3.2 overs, staging an impressive comeback following a heavy 295-run defeat in Perth. This victory also means Australia continues its perfect record in day-night Tests at Adelaide.
India’s hopes for a turnaround were dashed quickly on day three as Starc delivered a full ball that straightened slightly off the seam, resulting in Rishabh Pant being dismissed for 28 after edging it to second slip. Cummins' bouncer strategy paid off when he got Ravichandran Ashwin to glove a hook, which was easily caught behind by Alex Carey.
Although Reddy appeared solid in defense, Cummins’ bouncer tactic struck again, dismissing Harshit Rana with a shoulder edge caught in gully, just an over after Starc had struck him on the helmet with a quick bouncer.
Reddy edged India into a slight lead with a one-bounce four off Scott Boland and a six from a hook off Cummins, but Cummins had the final say as Reddy tried to ramp over slips, only to be caught by third man.
Boland concluded India’s innings by having Mohammed Siraj mistime a shot, resulting in Travis Head backpedaling to complete the catch at mid-wicket. With Australia triumphing over India in Adelaide, both teams will have two days off before facing off again in the third Test at The Gabba in Brisbane on December 14.
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) lost to Australia 337 and 19/0 in 3.2 overs by ten wickets.
