Mitchell Starc claimed his career-best figures of 6/48, leading Australia to bowl India out for 180 on the opening day in Adelaide.
Starc took a crucial wicket with the first ball of the match, trapping Yashasvi Jaiswal, the centurion from the first Test, LBW. This early breakthrough set the tone for Australia and raised doubts about India’s decision to bat first.
KL Rahul was fortunate to survive an early dismissal when he was caught behind off Scott Boland’s first delivery, but the appeal was rescinded due to a no-ball. Rahul was also dropped by Usman Khawaja in the same over. With these reprieves and Shubman Gill playing confidently at the other end, India managed to recover. Gill, in his first Test of the series, struck some eye-catching boundaries off Starc’s attacking lengths, while Rahul took some time to settle in.
The pair put together a 69-run partnership, but Australia regained control in the final half hour of the opening session. All the pacers made their presence felt, with Pat Cummins being the most economical. Starc, returning for his second spell, made the breakthrough by dismissing Rahul, caught at gully by Nathan McSweeney, and then having Virat Kohli edge to second slip.
Boland struck next, trapping Gill leg before wicket with a full delivery, leaving India in disarray. Three wickets fell in just 15 balls, and India was reeling at the break.
Rohit Sharma, promoted to No. 6, was undone by a sharp delivery from Boland, while Cummins removed Rishabh Pant with a bouncer. Starc returned to finish off the tail, taking two quick wickets, including a yorker to dismiss both R. Ashwin and Harshit Rana in the same over.
Nitish Reddy, playing some aggressive shots, including a reverse-scooped six off Boland, was the last man out for a gritty 42. India was bowled out for 180, with Starc’s 6/48 leading Australia’s charge.
Brief Scores:
India 180 all out (Nitish Reddy 42; Mitchell Starc 6/48) vs Australia
