The Adelaide Oval witnessed a thrilling display of pink-ball cricket as Australia seized control of the second Test against India on Day 1. Mitchell Starc, rediscovering his love affair with the pink ball, delivered a devastating spell of fast bowling, claiming six wickets and orchestrating India's collapse for a meager 180. In response, Marnus Labuschagne and young opener Nathan McSweeney weathered the Indian pace attack, guiding Australia to 86 for 1 at stumps, leaving the visitors with a mountain to climb.
After a relatively quiet performance in the first Test, Starc roared back to form in Adelaide. He extracted significant movement from the pink ball, troubling the Indian batsmen with his pace and swing. His six-wicket haul included the crucial scalps of KL Rahul, Virat Kohli, and Rohit Sharma, effectively dismantling India's batting lineup.
Despite winning the toss and opting to bat, India struggled to build substantial partnerships. Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed for a golden duck on the first ball of the match, setting the tone for a challenging day. While KL Rahul and Shubman Gill offered some resistance with a 69-run stand, the middle order crumbled under pressure from Starc and the Australian bowlers.
Virat Kohli, fresh off a century in the first Test, looked uncharacteristically uncomfortable at the crease, falling for just 7 runs. Rohit Sharma, batting at an unfamiliar number 6 position, also failed to make an impact, further compounding India's batting woes.
In reply, Australia showcased a determined batting performance. Labuschagne and McSweeney, after the early loss of Usman Khawaja, combined for a solid 61-run partnership, blunting the Indian attack and ending the day on a high for the hosts.
India's bowling attack, which had been so impressive in Perth, lacked the same penetration in Adelaide. They struggled to maintain consistent line and length, allowing the Australian batsmen to leave deliveries confidently and survive LBW appeals. Jasprit Bumrah, despite bowling the majority of the overs, couldn't replicate his Perth heroics, while Mohammed Siraj and debutant Harshit Rana were left frustrated despite some promising spells.
Day 1 of the Adelaide Test belonged to Australia, thanks to Mitchell Starc's exceptional bowling performance and a resilient batting display by Labuschagne and McSweeney. India, after a dominant showing in Perth, find themselves on the back foot, needing a significant turnaround to get back into the contest. The upcoming days promise to be filled with intrigue as India look to fight back and Australia aim to consolidate their advantage. The Adelaide Test is shaping up to be a captivating contest, with both teams vying for supremacy in this crucial Border-Gavaskar Trophy encounter.
