Australia were bowling in a commanding position on Day 2 of the second Test against India in Adelaide, as the visitors trailed by 110 for the loss of both openers.
India, after being dismissed for 180 in their first innings, now face an uphill battle against the Ausralian pace bowlers comprising Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins and Scott Boland.
While Indian opener KL Rahul scored 7 runs off 10 balls, by Pat Cummins, Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed for 24 runs off 31 balls, including 4 fours, at a strike rate of 77.41.
Australia’s first innings was far more solid compared to India's, with Travis Head anchoring the innings with an outstanding 140 runs off 141 balls, including 17 boundaries and 4 sixes.
Marnus Labuschagne added a crucial 64, and Nathan McSweeney contributed 39.
Despite India’s best efforts, including 4 wickets each from Jasprit Bumrah (4/61) and Mohammed Siraj (4/98), Australia managed to reach a total of 337 all out in 87.3 overs.
India’s bowlers struggled to break through Australia’s middle order, as Head’s century helped Australia post a lead of 157 runs over India’s first innings total.
India’s First Innings: 180 All Out
India’s batting lineup struggled throughout the first innings, as Mitchell Starc tore through their order with an outstanding 6-wicket haul, giving away just 48 runs.
India’s top-order was rattled early, with KL Rahul (37), Shubman Gill (31), and Virat Kohli (7) all dismissed cheaply. Rohit Sharma, India’s captain, managed only 3 runs before being dismissed.
Rishabh Pant (21) and Nitish Kumar Reddy (42) offered some resistance, but India’s lower order collapsed quickly. Ravichandran Ashwin (22) and Harshit Rana (0) were dismissed by Starc, and Jasprit Bumrah was dismissed for a duck by Cummins.
India’s first innings ended in just 44.1 overs, with the team all out for 180.
