India vs Australia 2nd Test Day 1 Highlights:
The second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy commenced in Adelaide today (6th December). Indian captain Rohit Sharma won the toss and opted to bat first. However, the Indian team succumbed to the pink ball challenge and was all out for 180 runs.
In response, by the end of the first day (6th December), Australia scored 86 for one wicket in their first innings. Nathan McSweeney remained unbeaten on 38, with Marnus Labuschagne on 20. They shared a solid partnership of 62 runs for the second wicket. Australia trails India by just 93 runs. Usman Khawaja was the only Australian wicket to fall, caught by Rohit Sharma off Jasprit Bumrah.
Here's a breakdown of how India found themselves in a challenging position during this Test, being bowled out for a mere 180 runs. Nitish Reddy was India's top scorer with 42 runs. Meanwhile, Mitchell Starc emerged as Australia's most successful bowler with an impressive 6-wicket haul. Additionally, Scott Boland and captain Pat Cummins claimed two wickets each.
1- Yashasvi Jaiswal Falls Early
India's start in the Adelaide pink Test was far from ideal. Mitchell Starc dismissed Yashasvi Jaiswal (0) on the very first ball of the match, a rare occurrence known as a 'platinum duck.' In fact, getting out on the first ball of any match is termed a platinum duck. Jaiswal's innings in the Perth Test saw him scoring 0 and 161 runs.
This was the 16th Test of Jaiswal's career, and he has been dismissed for zero thrice, including his first platinum duck. In the last five innings, Jaiswal has been out for zero twice, although he did score a historic 161 in Perth.
The record for taking the most wickets on the first ball of a Test match is held by Pedro Collins and Mitchell Starc, each achieving this feat three times. Richard Hadlee, Geoff Arnold, Kapil Dev, and Suranga Lakmal have done it twice each.
2- KL Rahul's Dismissal Sparks Collapse
KL Rahul and Shubman Gill played cautiously after Jaiswal's early dismissal, taking the score to 69. Starc then bowled KL Rahul (37), caught by Nathan McSweeney. Besides the partnership between these two, no other batsman could build a substantial innings.
3- India Loses Three Wickets in 16 Balls
Following Rahul's dismissal, Virat Kohli managed only 7 runs before handing a catch to Steve Smith off Starc's bowling. When Kohli was out, India's total was at 77. Shortly after, Shubman Gill departed for 31, caught off Scott Boland's delivery. Gill's departure left India at 81/4, with Rahul, Kohli, and Gill being dismissed within just 16 balls.
4- Pant and Rohit Depart Quickly
Rohit Sharma, who didn't play in the Perth Test, was trapped LBW by Scott Boland for just 3 runs in the Adelaide Test. Rohit's dismissal left India at 87/5. Rishabh Pant (21) tried to stabilize one end but fell at 109/6.
5- Nitish Stands Firm, but Lower Order Falters...
Except for Ravichandran Ashwin (22), the lower-order batsmen failed to contribute. Ashwin was LBW'd by Starc at 141, marking India's seventh wicket. Harshit Rana (0) followed, being Starc's prey. Rana's dismissal brought India's score to 141/8, giving Starc his fifth wicket. India's ninth wicket fell with vice-captain Jasprit Bumrah (0), caught by Usman Khawaja off Pat Cummins. The team's total was 176/9 at this point. Nitish Reddy was India's last batsman to be dismissed.
