Cricket Highlights, Dec 6-8: India tour of Australia (2nd Test) – India vs Australia

IND vs AUS (2nd Test) – Highlights

In this article, we will discuss the highlights and key moments of the 2nd Test (Day/Night) match between IND and AUS, held from December 6 to 8, 2024, at the Adelaide Oval. This encounter, part of India’s tour of Australia, saw the home team deliver a commanding performance, outclassing the visitors in all departments to secure a convincing 10-wicket victory. 

Batting first, India was bowled out for 180, with Australia’s bowlers, led by their pace attack, keeping the visitors in check. Australia countered with an impressive 337-run effort, establishing a commanding advantage in the first innings.

India faced a tough time in their second innings, scraping together just 175 runs and leaving Australia with a mere 19-run chase for victory. The hosts chased down the target with ease, finishing at 19/0. Australia’s all-round performance secured them a comprehensive victory under the lights.

India’s innings began disastrously, with opener Yashasvi Jaiswal falling for a golden duck off the first ball of the match, caught leg before wicket (lbw) to Mitchell Starc. From there, India struggled to gain any momentum, with only KL Rahul (37) providing some resistance. 

Rahul, who faced 64 balls, hit six boundaries before being dismissed by Starc. Shubman Gill (31) briefly looked comfortable but was also dismissed by Scott Boland, caught behind. Virat Kohli’s innings ended prematurely at 7 runs, falling victim to a sharp catch by Steven Smith off Mitchell Starc’s fiery delivery, dealing another setback to India’s batting lineup.

Rishabh Pant (21) and Rohit Sharma (3) followed soon after, with both players failing to capitalize on their starts. Nitish Kumar Reddy provided the most resistance in the lower order, contributing a vital 42 runs, but he too fell victim to Starc. Ravichandran Ashwin (22) and Harshit Rana (0) also could not offer much. Jasprit Bumrah (0) and Mohammed Siraj (4 not out) were the final wickets, leaving India all out for just 180 in 44.1 overs. 

Starc’s outstanding bowling performance earned him 6 wickets for 48 runs, while Pat Cummins and Scott Boland chipped in with two wickets each, making it a thoroughly dominant effort from the Australian bowlers.

In reply, Australia batted with confidence and poise. Usman Khawaja (13) was dismissed early by Bumrah, caught behind by Pant, but Nathan McSweeney (39) and Marnus Labuschagne (64) built a solid partnership. McSweeney’s patient 39 came off 109 balls, a vital knock that helped stabilize Australia’s innings, while Labuschagne’s 64 off 126 balls was more fluent, including nine boundaries.

Steven Smith (2) fell cheaply to Bumrah, and Travis Head’s arrival at the crease marked the turning point for Australia. Head was in sublime form, scoring a blistering 140 runs off 141 balls, hitting 17 boundaries and 4 sixes. His knock took the game away from India, as he added crucial runs with the middle order. Mitchell Marsh (9), Alex Carey (15), and Pat Cummins (12) all came and went, but Head’s dominance at the top ensured Australia reached a commanding 337.

Bumrah was the pick of the Indian bowlers with four wickets for 61 runs, while Mohammed Siraj also impressed with four wickets, conceding 98 runs. Ashwin and Nitish Kumar Reddy had minimal success, taking one and one wicket respectively, as India’s bowlers failed to apply consistent pressure. Australia’s strong total meant that India faced an uphill task in their second innings.

IND, now trailing by 157 runs, faced a daunting task to avoid defeat, but their batting woes continued. Yashasvi Jaiswal (24), KL Rahul (7), and Virat Kohli (11) all got starts but failed to convert them into significant scores. Rohit Sharma (6) and Rishabh Pant (28) were dismissed in quick succession, and India’s middle order crumbled once again. Nitish Kumar Reddy (42) showed resilience with a solid knock, but the Indian batting line-up seemed frail against the Australian bowlers.

Pat Cummins led the way with the ball, taking 5 wickets for 57 runs, with Starc and Boland providing ample support. Starc claimed two wickets in the second innings, including the crucial dismissal of Shubman Gill (28). The Indian team was all out for 175 in just 36.5 overs, leaving Australia with a mere 19 runs to win the match.

AUS required just 19 runs to win, and they made light work of the chase. Usman Khawaja (9*) and Nathan McSweeney (10*) saw their team over the line with minimal fuss, taking Australia to a 10-wicket victory. The Indian bowlers, who had struggled throughout the match, had no chance to prevent the chase, and Australia wrapped up the match with 3.2 overs to spare.

Australia’s victory was built on a combination of their aggressive batting, led by Travis Head’s match-winning 140, and an outstanding bowling performance, particularly from Mitchell Starc, who claimed 8 wickets across the two innings. 

India’s batting, on the other hand, lacked the resilience required to cope with the pressure of playing under lights in the Day/Night Test, and they were unable to form partnerships to put up a competitive score.

India vs Australia Scoreboard

India– 180 & 175 

Australia– 337 & 19/0

Result – Australia won by 10 wickets

Player of the Match – Travis Head

IND vs AUS Playing XI

India

Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Virat Kohli, Rishabh Pant(WK), Rohit Sharma(C), Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravichandran Ashwin, Harshit Rana, Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj

Australia

Usman Khawaja, Nathan McSweeney, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Mitchell Marsh, Alex Carey(WK), Pat Cummins(C), Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Scott Boland

Disclaimer: This Highlights is based on the author’s insights and analysis. Readers should consider the points discussed and draw their own conclusions.

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