India vs Australia.(Photo by Sarah Reed – CA/Cricket Australia via Getty Images)
Australia secured a convincing 10-wicket victory over India in the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy at the Adelaide Oval. Chasing a paltry 19-run target, the hosts needed just 3.2 overs to seal the win and level the series 1-1.
India’s batting crumbled in both the innings against Australia’s explosive pace attack. Resuming their second innings in twilight, India’s top order crumbled. Pat Cummins, leading from the front, claimed a stellar five-wicket haul, wrapping up the visitors for 175. Mitchell Starc and Scott Boland’s brilliance further dismantled India’s hopes as the visitors failed to capitalise, with Nitish Kumar Reddy’s 42 in the second innings being the only innings of note.
Earlier, the hosts restricted the visitors to 180 on the first innings, thanks to Starc’s career-best six-wicket haul. Later Travis Head’s 140 off 141 balls headlined Australia’s first-innings total of 337, which gave them a 157-run lead. Despite efforts from Mohammed Siraj and Jasprit Bumrah, who shared eight wickets between them, India’s bowlers struggled to contain Head and Marnus Labuschagne.
Also Read: Watch: Mohammed Siraj, Travis Head put controversy to rest with warm hug after Adelaide Test
Earlier in the day, England registered a brilliant win over New Zealand at Wellington to take a 2-0 lead in the three-match series. The visitors’ commanding performance helped them secure a 323-run victory over the Kiwis. The win was because of a collective team effort, which handed England a 2-0 lead in the three-match series under Ben Stokes’ leadership.
Batting first, England came back strong after early hiccups. Harry Brook’s knock of 123 off 115 balls, supported by Ollie Pope’s 66, guided the visitors to 280. The duo’s 174-run stand provided the tourists the momentum they needed. In reply, New Zealand faltered against England’s seam attack. Gus Atkinson grabbed headlines with a brilliant hat-trick, dismissing Nathan Smith, Matt Henry, and Tim Southee, while Brydon Carse also claimed four wickets. The hosts were bundled out for a meagre 125, as they were trailing by 155 runs.
Stokes & Co. capitalised on their lead, with Ben Duckett and Jacob Bethell providing a firm start in the third innings, scoring 92 and 96, respectively. Joe Root’s 106 and Brook’s quick 55 helped the side put in a good total, while the skipper himself scored a knock of 49 ensuring England posted a target of 583 runs. Despite Tom Blundell’s fighting century, New Zealand’s batting lineup fell under pressure, suffering to a massive defeat at home.
India slips down to third spot in WTC standings after Adelaide loss
In the WTC points table (World Test Championship 2023-25), India have made a drastic decline after losing the second Test of the five-match series against Australia. With six losses in 16 matches this cycle, India have 110 points with a PCT of 57.29%. On the other hand, the Aussies have claimed the top spot with 102 points and a PCT of 60.71%.
Meanwhile, after England’s second win in the three-match Test series against New Zealand, the tally sees some changes for both teams. The Three Lions, who were in the sixth spot, have climbed one step ahead with a PCT of 45.24%. The Black Caps, meanwhile, have descended to the sixth position after 13 games.
Latest WTC 2023-25 Points Table:
| Position | Team | Matches | Won | Lost | Drawn | Points | PCT (%) |
| 1 | AUSTRALIA | 14 | 9 | 4 | 1 | 102 | 60.71 |
| 2 | SOUTH AFRICA | 09 | 5 | 3 | 1 | 64 | 59.26 |
| 3 | INDIA | 16 | 9 | 6 | 1 | 110 | 57.29 |
| 4 | SRI LANKA | 10 | 5 | 5 | 0 | 60 | 50.00 |
| 5 | ENGLAND | 21 | 11 | 9 | 1 | 114 | 45.24 |
| 6 | NEW ZEALAND | 10 | 4 | 6 | 0 | 40 | 33.33 |
| 7 | PAKISTAN | 10 | 4 | 8 | 0 | 45 | 31.25 |
| 8 | BANGLADESH | 12 | 6 | 8 | 0 | 45 | 31.25 |
| 9 | WEST INDIES | 11 | 2 | 7 | 2 | 32 | 24.24 |
Last updated – December 08, 2024, after AUS victory versus IND in the Adelaide Test.