Mohammed Siraj’s bails-swap trick rattled Marnus Labuschagne. Then, Nitish Kumar Reddy got him out.
Siraj’s Mind Games Set Up Labuschagne’s Dismissal
On Day 2 of the third Test at the Gabba, Indian pacer Mohammed Siraj stole the spotlight. He used an unusual yet clever tactic against Marnus Labuschagne. During one of his overs, Siraj casually swapped the bails at the striker’s end. This caught Labuschagne off guard. Labuschagne reset the bails and spoke to Siraj. The move seemed to disrupt his focus.
How good is this exchange between Siraj and Labuschange? #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/GSv1XSrMHn
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 15, 2024
An over later, Labuschagne fell to Nitish Kumar Reddy, who bowled a wide ball outside off stump. Labuschagne tried a big drive but edged it to Virat Kohli at second slip. Kohli took the catch. The Australian batter scored only 12 runs off 55 balls. It was a long way from his half-century in the Adelaide Test.
How good is this exchange between Siraj and Labuschange? #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/GSv1XSrMHn
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 15, 2024
India’s Bowlers Dominate Early on Day 2
At 28/0, Australia resumed play. India’s bowlers exploited the morning session, causing early setbacks. Jasprit Bumrah struck first, dismissing Usman Khawaja (21 off 54) in the fourth over of the day. Bumrah’s delivery straightened slightly, forcing Khawaja to edge the ball to the keeper. This marked the third time Bumrah had dismissed the left-hander in the series.
In the very next over, Bumrah continued his dominance by removing Nathan McSweeney (9 off 49). McSweeney edged a delivery angled across him. Kohli at second slip caught it. It was his second catch of the match.
At 75/3, Australia was struggling. India’s bowlers, led by Bumrah, Siraj, and Reddy, applied pressure. They forced Labuschagne and his teammates to work hard for every run.
Labuschagne Struggles After Adelaide Heroics
Marnus Labuschagne had scored a fighting fifty in the last Test in Adelaide. But, he was unusually cautious at the Gabba. Facing 55 balls, he managed just 12 runs before falling to Reddy. Labuschagne made an error. Siraj’s mind games and the Indian pacers’ pressure seemed to force it.
The dismissal was a turning point for India. It disrupted Australia’s rebuilding effort after early losses.
Kohli’s Sharp Fielding Boosts India
Virat Kohli continued to make his presence felt in the slips. His clean catch to dismiss Labuschagne capped off Siraj’s successful bails trick. It also reinforced India’s dominance in the field. Kohli’s contributions in the slip cordon have been critical throughout the series, with his sharp reflexes and game awareness playing a key role.
India in Command at the Gabba
India’s clever tactics and disciplined bowling on Day 2 have put them in a commanding position. After Bumrah’s double strike and Siraj’s mind game with Labuschagne, the Indian attack has set the tone for the day. With Australia’s top order back in the pavilion, the visitors are ahead. The Border-Gavaskar Trophy hangs in the balance.
