BOWLERS PUT TEAM INDIA ON TOP AGAINST AUSSIES ON DAY TWO

1ST TEST- 2ND DAY, ADELAIDE

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Australia finished the first day surely as the team in front. On the second day, they got off to a flyer of a start as Pat Cummins picked up Ashwin (15) in the very first over of the day followed by Mitcell Starc getting Wriddhiman Saha cought behind for 9 in the next over. Indian tail failed to show any kind of resistance as Indian innings scrambled in just 4 overs. Finishing off with 244 runs on board. Not anywhere near the per score may be but looked to be a fighting total on the slow Adelaide Oval pitch.

India opted to start the bowling with Umesh-Bumrah duo rather than their conventional Shami-Bumrah duo. Though they didn’t get the early breakthrough they were looking for, their tight bowling kept Aussie openers pinned to their defensive shell. Their first run came off at 28th ball of the innings, their longest wait for first run of a inning in the 21st century. Bumrah handed India their much awaited first wicket in 15th over and another one in his very next over, sending both the openers to their pavilion.

 Smith and Labuschange has been the most dependable duo in recent times for Australia. But their partnership looked to be ever so vulnerable with Indian pacers Bumrah and Shami bowling with immense control over their line and length. After a few missed catches and one missed run-out chance, Smith’s struggling innings of just 1 off 29 came to an end. Thanks to a bowling change that saw Ashwin into the attack.

Labuschange kept on fighting as Ravichandran kept on picking up wickets from other end in regular interval. Labuschange fell short of his half century for just three runs as his luck assisted innings came to an end in the hands of Umesh Yadav. He sent back Cummins in the same over to completely derail Aussie inning to 111-7. It was captain Paine who put up a real brave fight against pumped up Indian bowling line up to keep on scoring some runs for his team. Not something very much remarkable, but little contributions from rest of the tail-enders and Paine dragged the Australian innings to 191, remaining unbeaten for 73 which came off in mere 99 balls, cutting off India’s lead to 53 runs.

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Ashwin finished off as the highest wicket taker with 4 wickets while Umesh and Bumrah claimed 3 and 2 respectively. Shami could have also grabbed wicket, even more than one if luck and fielding would have gone his way. Yes, amid fine display by Indian bowlers, it’s Indian fielding what looked below average. Well, after a few simple catches dropped by Bumrah and Shaw, some more half chances missed in the form of catches and run-outs, captain Kohli pulled off a stunner of a catch to send back Green.

With only 6-7 overs in hand, all eyes were on Shaw as India came out to bat. But Shaw disappointed everyone again, getting out just in the 4th over for 4 runs to Pat Cummins. He looks to be fully opened up with his stance facing inswinging deliveries every time. Hope he resolves this soon and we get him going all barrels firing as we are expectant to see him as. It took some solid defense from Mayank and night-watchman Bumrah to see off the Australian pacers and wrap the second day up with 9-1 on board and a lead of 62 runs.

The pitch seemed to have gained a bit pace from the first day. Invariable bounce has also created some problems for batsmen, like one of which cost Labuscange his wicket. And on the third day, with Lyon coming to the attack on this two day old pitch, batting will surely not be easy for India. Lyon will surely feel good with the purchase Ashwin got from the pitch on day two.

 New ball will also come into effect. In the first inning, Kohli crafted a real good innings, Pujara and VC Rahane also showed promise. So, till now what the picture looks like is that, the third day is going to script the fate of the match to a real big extent. Live broadcast starts tomorrow at 9:30 AM IST [4 AM GMT]. Don’t miss it. We will come back to you after stumps with the review of the third day. Stay tuned.