AUS Vs IND : Mitchell Starc Removes Virat Kohli For A Low Score On Day 1 Of The Pink Ball Test

The second Test between India and Australia at the iconic Adelaide Oval began amidst heightened anticipation, with both teams looking to assert their dominance in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. However, what unfolded on Day 1 turned into a nightmare for the visitors, as Australia’s relentless pace attack, led by Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland, dismantled India’s top order under the challenging pink-ball conditions. By the dinner break, India had slumped to a precarious 82/4, leaving the team in a vulnerable position in this high-stakes clash.

The Decision to Bat First: A Risky Gamble

India’s decision to bat first under lights raised eyebrows, considering the historical difficulty of negotiating the pink ball in the twilight hours. The Adelaide pitch offered a hint of grass, ensuring early movement for the seamers. However, skipper Rohit Sharma backed his batting lineup to counter the conditions and establish a strong foundation.

What followed, however, was a chaotic start, with Mitchell Starc exploiting the conditions to perfection. From the very first delivery, it became evident that India would have a tough time handling the Australian pacers.

Starc’s Fiery Start and Jaiswal’s Golden Duck

The day began disastrously for India as Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had shown great promise in previous matches, fell to the very first ball of the innings. Starc delivered a stunning inswinger that shaped late, catching Jaiswal off-guard and crashing into his stumps. The young opener’s golden duck not only set the tone for the session but also jolted India’s batting lineup, which suddenly seemed vulnerable against the Australian pace onslaught.

The early dismissal brought Shubman Gill to the crease, joining KL Rahul as the pair sought to weather the storm. Both batters displayed resilience, battling the Australian bowlers with grit and determination.

Rahul and Gill Offer a Glimmer of Hope

KL Rahul and Shubman Gill provided a much-needed semblance of stability after Jaiswal’s early dismissal. Rahul, known for his composure, played a steady innings, focusing on leaving deliveries outside the off-stump and waiting for scoring opportunities. Gill, on the other hand, balanced caution with aggression, dispatching loose deliveries to the boundary with finesse.

The pair’s partnership began to show signs of promise, frustrating the Australian bowlers for a significant part of the morning session. Together, they added 51 runs and gave the impression that India might recover from their disastrous start. However, their resistance was short-lived.

Starc Strikes Again: Kohli’s Tentative Dismissal

As India began to rebuild, Mitchell Starc returned for a fiery second spell that would once again swing the momentum in Australia’s favor. In the 21st over, Starc delivered a back-of-length delivery just outside off-stump to Virat Kohli, who had come to the crease following Rahul’s dismissal. The ball jagged inward slightly, leaving Kohli uncertain about whether to play or leave.

Caught in two minds, Kohli attempted a tentative prod, only to edge the ball to Steve Smith at second slip. The dismissal, eerily similar to Kohli’s first-innings wicket in the series opener at Perth, left India reeling at 64/3. Starc, with his third wicket, underlined his mastery of pink-ball conditions and sent the Indian dressing room into silence.

Scott Boland’s Impact: Gill’s Crucial Dismissal

Scott Boland, stepping in for the injured Josh Hazlewood, made an immediate impression, living up to his reputation as a dependable bowler in pressure situations. Boland’s disciplined line and ability to extract movement made life difficult for the Indian batters.

The breakthrough came when he dismissed Shubman Gill, who had looked set for a big score. Gill, on 31, misjudged a slanting delivery that angled in and attempted a flick across the line. The ball beat his bat and thudded into his pads, leading to a straightforward LBW decision. Gill’s departure marked a significant blow for India, as his partnership with Rahul had been the backbone of the innings.

India’s Fragile Middle Order: Rohit and Pant at the Crease

With the fall of Gill’s wicket, India’s captain Rohit Sharma joined Rishabh Pant at the crease. Both players faced the daunting task of steadying the innings and preventing further damage before the dinner break.

Rohit, known for his ability to anchor an innings, played cautiously, managing just one run off eight balls. Pant, promoted to number six, attempted to counterattack but found the going tough against Australia’s disciplined attack. By the time the players walked off for dinner, India’s scorecard read 82/4 after 23 overs, with both batters under immense pressure to stage a recovery in the second session.

Starc and Boland: A Lethal Combination

Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland’s performances were a masterclass in exploiting pink-ball conditions. Starc’s ability to swing the ball late and Boland’s precision in maintaining a probing line and length left India’s batters guessing throughout the session. Together, they accounted for three of the four wickets, dismantling India’s top order with clinical efficiency.

Starc’s spell, in particular, stood out as he showcased why he remains one of the most formidable bowlers in day-night Tests. His ability to generate pace, bounce, and swing made him virtually unplayable under the lights, while Boland’s consistency complemented Starc’s aggression perfectly.

Challenges Ahead for India

As Day 1 progressed, it became evident that India faced an uphill battle. With the Australian bowlers extracting significant assistance from the pitch, batting would only become more challenging under the twilight conditions. The responsibility now lies with Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant to rebuild the innings and guide India to a respectable first-innings total.

The lower order, which has shown resilience in the past, will also need to contribute significantly. Players like Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin could play crucial roles in countering Australia’s bowlers and ensuring India stays in the game.

Australia’s Confidence Soars

For Australia, the early breakthroughs have set the stage for a commanding performance. With a strong pace attack and Nathan Lyon waiting to exploit the later stages of the game, the hosts will look to maintain their stranglehold over India.

The dismissal of key players like Kohli and Gill has already shifted the momentum firmly in Australia’s favor, and the team will aim to capitalize on their early success by running through India’s middle and lower order.

A Day of High-Intensity Cricket

Day 1 of the second Test at Adelaide Oval lived up to the hype, delivering a riveting contest between bat and ball. While India’s decision to bat first backfired spectacularly, the resilience shown by Rahul and Gill offered a brief glimmer of hope. However, Starc’s brilliance and Boland’s accuracy proved too much for the visitors to handle, leaving them in a precarious position by the dinner break.

As the action resumes, the onus will be on India’s middle order to stage a fightback and ensure the team has something to bowl at. For Australia, it’s an opportunity to tighten their grip on the match and edge closer to securing a 1-1 series scoreline. With the pink ball continuing to do the talking, fans can expect another enthralling day of Test cricket.

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