Australia Builds Strong Lead in BGT as India Faces Uphill Task on Day 2

Adelaide, December 7: Australia’s seamers produced a dominant display on Day 2 of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, inching the hosts closer to victory as India finished the day at 128/5, trailing by 29 runs. With an impressive century from Travis Head (140), Australia took a 157-run lead, making India’s task to recover on the third day a challenging one.

Australia was bowled out for 337 in the first innings, with Mohammed Siraj taking the final two wickets, dismissing Mitchell Starc (18) and Scott Boland (0). Siraj finished with figures of 4/98, while India’s top bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, claimed 4/61. Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin and Nitish Kumar Reddy each took one wicket.

Chasing a challenging total, India’s innings got off to a rocky start. KL Rahul (7) was the first to fall, dismissed by Australian captain Pat Cummins. Yashasvi Jaiswal, who had impressed in the previous match, played some stylish shots but was caught behind for 24, off a superb delivery from Scott Boland.

India’s top order continued to falter, with Virat Kohli managing only 11 before he was caught behind off Boland. Shubman Gill appeared settled but was bowled out by a brilliant delivery from Mitchell Starc for 28, leaving India at 86/4.

Rohit Sharma, who was dismissed for a duck but saved by a no-ball from Starc earlier, added just 6 runs before falling to Cummins. India reached 100/5 in 18.4 overs, with Rishabh Pant unbeaten on 28 off 25 balls. Pant’s unconventional shots and valuable boundaries kept India’s hopes alive, alongside Nitish Kumar Reddy, who was unbeaten on 15.

The Australian seamers, led by Pat Cummins and Scott Boland, continued to apply pressure throughout the day. Cummins and Boland each claimed two wickets, with Mitchell Starc picking up the crucial wicket of Shubman Gill, who had looked comfortable before his dismissal.

Earlier in the day, Travis Head once again proved his dominance against India, playing a remarkable knock of 140. Head, who had been in exceptional form in previous encounters with India, brought up his century in 111 balls, including 10 fours and 3 sixes. His aggressive play, especially against the inexperienced Harshit Rana, was a highlight of the day. At Tea, Australia was at 332/8, with Mitchell Starc (18*) unbeaten. Head had extended Australia’s lead over India to 152 runs, continuing his golden run against the visitors.

Australia resumed after lunch at 191/4, with Head and Mitchell Marsh (2*) unbeaten. The Australian pair had added 105 runs in the first session, with Head and Marnus Labuschagne (64) playing dominant knocks. However, Ravichandran Ashwin struck early, dismissing Marsh for 9. Head’s partnership with Alex Carey was crucial, with Head attacking India’s bowlers and finding boundaries regularly. However, Siraj removed Carey for 15, and Head’s brilliant innings finally came to an end when Siraj bowled him out for 140. Australia was at 310/7.

Skipper Pat Cummins (12) and Mitchell Starc tried to push the total further but were dismissed in quick succession, with Bumrah getting Cummins for his fourth wicket. Australia ended their innings at 332/8 after 85 overs.

The Indian bowling attack showed resilience but struggled to break the Australian partnership. Bumrah was the standout bowler with 3/23, while Nitish Kumar Reddy picked up 1/49. The visitors will need a monumental effort on Day 3 to mount a successful chase, with Australia leading by 29 runs.

Australia’s commanding position in the match has left India with a significant uphill task. With Pant and Reddy at the crease, India will need a strong partnership to challenge Australia’s lead and avoid another defeat in the ongoing series. Day 3 promises to be a crucial one, with India needing to surpass Australia’s lead while facing a challenging bowling attack under the lights of the Adelaide Oval.