Mitchell Starc delivered a masterclass in pink-ball bowling, claiming six wickets for 48 runs as India was bowled out for 180 on the first day of the Adelaide Test. Despite courageous efforts from Nitish Kumar Reddy (42) and brief resistance from KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Ravichandran Ashwin, the visitors struggled against Australia’s disciplined bowling attack.
Electing to bat first, India had a disastrous start when opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed lbw by Starc on the very first ball of the innings. Shubman Gill, returning from a thumb injury, and KL Rahul steadied the ship momentarily, adding boundaries against Starc and Scott Boland.
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Gill showcased his attacking flair with five classy boundaries, scoring 31 off 51 balls, while Rahul impressed with a composed 37 off 64 deliveries, including six fours. However, both fell to Starc, with Nathan McSweeney and Steve Smith taking sharp catches in the slips and gully.
By the end of the first session, India was struggling at 81/4 after losing Virat Kohli (7), who was caught in slips off Starc’s bowling.
India resumed the second session with Rishabh Pant and skipper Rohit Sharma at the crease, but both failed to stabilize the innings. Rohit, battling against Australia’s relentless pace attack, fell to Boland for just 3 off 23 balls. Pant managed a quick 21 before succumbing to Pat Cummins, his attempted defense against a short delivery resulting in a catch at wide gully.
Nitish Kumar Reddy, who had impressed in the Perth Test, stepped up again with a gutsy knock. Displaying aggression and composure, he smashed two sixes and a four off Boland in one over, unsettling the bowler’s rhythm. However, his valiant innings ended when Starc claimed his sixth wicket, dismissing Reddy for 42 off 54 balls.
Ravichandran Ashwin chipped in with 22 runs, hitting three boundaries, but his dismissal by Starc triggered the tail-end collapse. Starc completed his six-fer by removing Harshit Rana for a duck, solidifying his position as one of the greatest pink-ball bowlers in Test history.
Starc’s 6/48 marked his fourth five-wicket haul in pink-ball Tests, the most by any bowler, and his first against India. His lethal spells left the visitors reeling, while Pat Cummins and Scott Boland contributed with two wickets each.
Also See: India vs Australia Test Series Schedule
India’s innings folded in 44.1 overs, setting a modest total of 180. Starc’s brilliance and the Australian fielding effort overshadowed brief fightbacks from the Indian lineup. With the Adelaide pink ball traditionally favoring bowlers under lights, Day 2 promises an intriguing battle as Australia takes to the crease.
Also See: India Cricket Schedule | Australia Cricket Schedule
Brief Scores:
India: 180 (Nitish Kumar Reddy 42, KL Rahul 37, Mitchell Starc 6/48) vs Australia.
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