AUS vs IND: Travis Head-ache haunts India again as pink-ball Test defeat looms large

Australia continued their remarkable comeback in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, dominating the pink-ball Test in Adelaide on Day 2 with both bat and ball. First, it was the ‘usual suspect’, Travis Head, who dismantled India’s hopes by erasing the first-innings deficit with a commanding 141-ball 140. Then, Mitchell Starc and the Australian quicks swung the pink ball viciously under the floodlights, leaving India in deep trouble at stumps on Saturday. | SCORECARD |

All the anticipation of a Super Sunday evaporated, at least for Indian supporters, as Rohit Sharma’s men teetered on the brink of a crushing defeat in the pink-ball Test. India were 128 for 5 at stumps on Day 2, still trailing Australia’s first-innings total by 29 runs. Rishabh Pant remained unbeaten, despite resorting to a series of unorthodox shots, and had rookie all-rounder Nitish Reddy for company.

AUS vs IND, 2nd Test Day 2: Highlights

The Adelaide Test has been a wake-up call for India after their high in Perth. Poor batting, overreliance on Jasprit Bumrah, and some uninspiring captaincy from Rohit Sharma allowed Australia to seize the advantage. Pat Cummins and his men looked hungrier, fuelled by the sting of their first Test defeat, as they delivered a near-flawless performance over the past two days at the Adelaide Oval.

There will undoubtedly be renewed scrutiny of the futures of senior players Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma following this pink-ball Test. Both appeared vulnerable at the crease, failing to make a meaningful impact in either innings. When India needed their senior pros to rally after falling behind by 157 runs in the second innings, neither Kohli nor Rohit inspired confidence, let alone delivered a crucial knock to pressure Australia.

HEAD-ACHE AGAIN FOR INDIA

Travis Head’s explosive 141 proved pivotal, extinguishing India’s hopes of replicating their Perth heroics. India, who were skittled out for 150 in the first innings of the series opener, had been bailed out by Jasprit Bumrah’s sensational bowling performance in Perth, where he led the team in Rohit’s absence to bundle Australia out for 104.

In Adelaide, however, India managed a slightly better 180 in their first innings but had no answer to Travis Head this time.

Head was once again the architect of India’s despair, obliterating the first-innings deficit with his belligerent 141-ball 140. His ruthless onslaught shattered India’s confidence and propelled Australia to 347, securing what seems like a decisive first-innings lead of 157 runs.

Travis Head has completed a trifecta of tormenting India on the biggest stages. He first struck in the World Test Championship final, a red-ball encounter. He followed it up by breaking a billion hearts with his white-ball heroics in Ahmedabad during last year’s World Cup final. And now, on Saturday in Adelaide, he delivered yet another masterclass, dashing India’s hopes of a 2-0 lead in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy by smashing the pink ball all around his home ground, the Adelaide Oval.