Adelaide: Australia defeated India by 10 wickets in the second Test at Adelaide Oval, leveling the series 1-1.
India, batting second, were bowled out for 175 in 36.5 overs, with their innings struggling against Australia’s potent seam attack.
In their first innings, India posted 180 runs, while Travis Head’s magnificent 140 runs off 141 balls in the first innings helped Australia responded with a dominant 337, taking a significant 152-run lead.
In the commentary box, former Australian captain Justin Langer made an insightful observation, noting that had Head been dismissed cheaply, the course of the match could have been drastically different.
Head’s presence at the crease was key, and his aggressive play allowed Australia to dominate, giving them a significant advantage going into the second innings. His contribution was a game-changing moment, emphasising the importance of key partnerships and individual brilliance in shaping the outcome of a Test match.
India's top scorer was Nitish Reddy, who contributed 42 runs, but no other batsman reached 50. Australia required just 19 runs to win, a target they comfortably chased down without losing a wicket, with Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney remaining at the crease. The match ended with Khawaja hitting the winning run off Siraj.
The series statistics highlight Australia’s dominance in Day-Night Tests, with a record of 12 wins from 13 matches, including eight victories at Adelaide Oval, where they have won by large margins on multiple occasions. This victory also added to Pat Cummins’ growing list of achievements as captain, recording his eighth five-wicket haul, with only Imran Khan and Richie Benaud having more among Australian captains.
India’s performance in the second innings saw some narrow escapes but ultimately fell short. Siraj was dismissed for 7 runs by Scott Boland, while Cummins took key wickets, including Reddy, who fell to a catch by McSweeney.
India's efforts were also hindered by dismissals such as Ravichandran Ashwin, Rishabh Pant, and Harshit Rana, who all fell to Australia’s bowlers. With Australia’s bowlers proving far more effective, India’s tail was quickly wrapped up, ensuring a comfortable win for the hosts.
In another notable statistic, Australia’s seamers outperformed their Indian counterparts in the opening 20 overs, taking 6/164, while India could manage only 5/79.
The contrast between the two teams' performances with the old ball was also significant, with Australia conceding just 159 runs, compared to India's 184, at a higher run rate. This comprehensive performance from Australia reflected their strength, particularly at home in Day-Night Tests.
