Mitchell Starc's Fiery Spell Dominates India's First Innings

Australia began their comeback campaign emphatically on the first day of the Day-Night Test in Adelaide, courtesy of Mitchell Starc’s spectacular 6/48. Starc’s fourth five-wicket haul in pink-ball Tests and 15th overall in Test cricket reduced India to a mere 180, setting the tone for Australia’s dominance.

Starc struck with the very first ball of the match, trapping Yashasvi Jaiswal, India’s centurion from the first Test, LBW with a full delivery. This early blow rattled India, forcing them into a defensive mindset. Despite a reprieve for KL Rahul early on, who survived a no-ball dismissal and a dropped catch, India briefly steadied through a 69-run partnership between Rahul and Shubman Gill.

Gill, playing his first Test of the series, looked fluent, countering Starc’s attacking lengths with well-timed boundaries. However, the Australian pacers, led by Starc, regained control. In a devastating spell before lunch, Starc dismissed Rahul and Virat Kohli, while Scott Boland trapped Gill LBW to leave India reeling at 94/5.

Post-lunch, India’s lower order tried to counterattack. Nitish Reddy played a valiant knock of 42, including a daring reverse-scooped six off Boland, but Starc cleaned up the tail in style, yorking R Ashwin and Harshit Rana to finish with his career-best pink-ball figures.

Australia Take Control with the Bat

Australia began their reply cautiously under challenging light conditions. Despite movement extracted by Indian seamers Jasprit Bumrah and Harshit Rana, the visitors found it tough to break through. Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney displayed grit, with McSweeney grinding out an unbeaten 38. Bumrah eventually dismissed Khawaja with a well-directed delivery, but a dogged Marnus Labuschagne joined McSweeney to see Australia through to stumps at 86/1.

With a lead of 94 runs and wickets in hand, Australia holds the upper hand heading into Day 2. The Indian bowlers will need an inspired effort to claw back into the game.