Border-Gavaskar Trophy: Australia Dominate as India Struggle to Recover in Pink Ball Test

ADELAIDE: India faced an early setback in their second innings when Pat Cummins dismissed opener KL Rahul for 7. Yashasvi Jaiswal showed a promising start but was removed by Scott Boland on the very first delivery he faced. Virat Kohli’s entry raised a hope for the Indian fans but he too was dismissed without doing much damage to the scoreboard. 

Earlier in the day, Australia wrapped up their first innings at 337, securing a significant 157-run lead. Travis Head was the standout performer with a magnificent 140.

Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj took four wickets each for India, while Nitish Reddy and Ravichandran Ashwin contributed with a wicket each.

Bumrah gave India a dream start in the morning session, dismissing overnight batters Nathan McSweeney and Steven Smith in quick succession. Marnus Labuschagne steadied the ship with a gritty half-century, adding 65 runs for the fourth wicket alongside Travis Head. Nitish Reddy ended the partnership by having Labuschagne caught at gully by Jaiswal for 64.

Head took control thereafter, playing a commanding knock studded with 17 boundaries and four sixes, putting Australia in a strong position. Earlier, India struggled in their first innings, managing only 180 after opting to bat first in the day-night test that began on Friday.

India is currently struggling at 80/3 in  their second innings with Shubman Gill and Rishabh Pant at the crease, tasked with rebuilding the innings after the early dismissals of KL Rahul, Yashasvi Jaiswal and Virat Kohli.

Batting on 28, Shubman Gill has looked cautious yet solid, while R. Pant is on 11, beginning to find his rhythm against the Australian pace attack. With the ball moving in the field, the duo will need to put up a significant partnership to keep India in the competition. Pat Cummins and Scott Boland have been sharp with the ball, making scoring difficult. 

The match hangs in the balance, with Australia firmly in control but India fighting to stay alive. 

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