Sat Dec 07 13:33:01 UTC 2024: ## India Stumbles in Adelaide as Australia Takes Control of Second Test
**Adelaide, Australia:** Australia has seized the advantage in the second Test against India, leaving the visitors facing a substantial deficit after day two. Following India’s first innings collapse, Australia extended their lead significantly.
India, having won the toss and elected to bat, were bowled out for a paltry 180 runs in their first innings. Mitchell Starc wreaked havoc, claiming a career-best 6 wickets for 48 runs, while Scott Boland and Pat Cummins each took two wickets. While Nitish Reddy showed some fight with a 42-run knock, the top order struggled, with Yashasvi Jaiswal dismissed for 24, KL Rahul (7), Shubman Gill (31), Virat Kohli (11), and Rohit Sharma (6) all failing to make a significant contribution.
Australia responded strongly, reaching 337 runs before being dismissed. Travis Head spearheaded the Aussie innings with a masterful 140, while Marnus Labuschagne contributed 64. Jasprit Bumrah (4 wickets) and Mohammed Siraj (2 wickets) were India’s most successful bowlers. This left Australia with a commanding 157-run lead.
India’s second innings began poorly, losing 5 wickets for 128 runs by the close of play. While Rishabh Pant (28*) and Nitish Reddy (15*) remained at the crease, the top order again crumbled under pressure. Jaiswal (24), Rahul (7), Gill (28), Kohli (11), and Sharma (6) all fell relatively cheaply, with Pat Cummins and Scott Boland again taking 2 wickets each, while Mitchell Starc claimed one more.
At the end of day two, Australia maintains a substantial lead of 29 runs. The match hangs precariously in the balance, with India needing a remarkable turnaround to avoid defeat in this crucial pink-ball Test. The focus will be on India’s lower-order batsmen to build a significant partnership and stem the tide against a dominant Australian attack.
First Piper 