Mitchell Starc Wreaks Havoc on Day 1
Day 1 of the pink-ball Test between India and Australia saw Mitchell Starc cause havoc with the ball. He dismantled India’s batting order and took six wickets. India was bowled out for just 180 in 44.1 overs. Australia started steadily, ending at 86/1 by stumps, 94 runs behind.
Starc Dominates India’s Top Order
India won the toss and chose to bat first. They had a disastrous start as Yashasvi Jaiswal was out on the first ball. Mitchell Starc, bowling with precision and movement under the lights, struck early. His wicket set the tone for Australia.
A 69-run partnership between KL Rahul and Shubman Gill was brief. Both batters faltered just before lunch. Starc dismissed Rahul with a short ball edged to gully. Gill was trapped lbw after misjudging a flick shot. Starc soon got the prized wicket of Virat Kohli. He lured the star batter into edging a wide delivery to Steve Smith at second slip. Kohli’s brief innings of 7 runs off 8 balls further compounded India’s woes.
India Collapses for 180 as Starc Claims Six
Post-lunch, India struggled to recover from the top-order collapse. Captain Rohit Sharma, batting lower down the order at No. 6, failed to make an impact, while Rishabh Pant fell victim to Pat Cummins’ sharp bouncer, edging to gully.
THIS IS CINEMA! 🙌
Pink ball, seaming conditions & bowlers breathing fire – doesn’t matter to #NitishReddy! 💪#AUSvINDOnStar 2nd Test 👉 LIVE NOW on Star Sports! #AUSvIND | #ToughestRivalry pic.twitter.com/IM9HaBrv63
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 6, 2024
Nitish Reddy put up some resistance. He scored 42 off 54 balls, with three fours and three sixes. However, Starc struck the final blow by removing Reddy. This gave him six wickets. India’s innings ended at 180, with Starc’s 6/48 leading Australia’s charge. Scott Boland and Pat Cummins were excellent. They held down India’s scoring.
Australia in Command After Steady Start
Australia started their innings well. Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney added 24 runs for the first wicket. India’s Jasprit Bumrah toiled through a long spell. He finally broke the partnership, dismissing Khawaja with a sharp delivery. It was edged to first slip.
Who else but #JaspritBumrah to get 🇮🇳 the breakthrough? 🤷♂️
Rohit takes a safe catch, and #UsmanKhawaja departs! ☝#AUSvINDOnStar 2nd Test 👉 LIVE NOW on Star Sports! #AUSvIND | #ToughestRivalry pic.twitter.com/3ie1DSGa1R
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 6, 2024
Despite a setback, McSweeney and Labuschagne steadied the innings. They guided Australia to 86/1 at stumps. With just 94 runs to India’s total and nine wickets in hand, Australia is favored heading into Day 2.
