On the second day of the ongoing India vs Australia Test, India’s pace attack displayed remarkable tenacity, bundling out Australia for 181 runs. This effort earned India a slender first-innings lead of four runs. Notably, this was achieved despite the absence of India’s captain and spearhead Jasprit Bumrah for a significant portion of the day. Bumrah was spotted leaving the field in training gear, reportedly for medical scans, leaving the team’s younger bowlers to take up the mantle.
India vs Australia Test: India’s Young Pacers Rise to Glory
The absence of Bumrah saw the Indian pace unit step up. Nitish Reddy stole the limelight with a two-wicket burst in consecutive balls, dismissing Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc with sharp deliveries that found edges to the slips. Meanwhile, Prasidh Krishna added to the momentum, removing Beau Webster for a resilient 57, caught smartly at gully. Throughout the day, India’s slip cordon showcased exceptional fielding, ensuring no opportunities went begging in this thrilling India vs Australia Test.
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Webster Anchors Australia’s Innings in India vs Australia Test
Beau Webster’s disciplined approach stood out as he held the Australian innings together. Partnering with Steve Smith in the first session, Webster helped Australia recover from early setbacks. Despite the challenging green surface and overcast conditions, Webster’s gritty knock provided stability, although it ultimately wasn’t enough to prevent a modest total in this India vs Australia Test.
Day 2 Highlights: Early Strikes by Bumrah and Siraj
India started strongly on Day 2 of the India vs Australia Test, with both Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj making life difficult for the Australian batters. Bumrah set the tone, removing Marnus Labuschagne early, as a review confirmed an edge to the keeper. Siraj complemented his captain by targeting a good length and generating movement, dismissing Sam Konstas and Travis Head in quick succession. Konstas’ adventurous strokes against Bumrah—including an audacious reverse-lap—were short-lived, as Siraj eventually found his edge to gully. By the first hour, Australia was teetering at 39/4.
Steve Smith’s Counterattack in India vs Australia Test
On his home turf, Steve Smith weathered the storm with characteristic grit. Though he survived several close calls early on, Smith’s calculated strokes provided some respite for the Australians. His partnership with Webster yielded 57 runs, offering hope for a recovery. Smith capitalized on inconsistent lengths from Prasidh Krishna, executing crisp drives and pulls to keep the scoreboard moving.
However, just as Smith approached a monumental milestone of 10,000 Test runs in the India vs Australia Test, he fell for 33, edging a delivery from Krishna to the slip cordon. This breakthrough galvanized the Indian team, who carried the momentum into the next session.
Prasidh Krishna Shines in the India vs Australia Test
Prasidh Krishna emerged as a crucial performer in the India vs Australia Test, finishing with figures of 3/42. His knack for breaking partnerships proved invaluable, particularly with the dismissal of Smith and later breakthroughs in the lower order. Krishna’s efforts ensured that Australia’s tail did not wag for long.
Score Summary
Australia: 181 all out (Beau Webster 57, Steve Smith 33; Prasidh Krishna 3/42) India: 185 all out (Lead by 4 runs)
Conclusion
India’s spirited bowling performance in the India vs Australia Test, led by its young pacers, underscored their depth and resilience in Bumrah’s absence. With a narrow lead and the match finely balanced, the onus now shifts to the Indian batters to capitalize and set a challenging target for Australia. As the pitch continues to offer assistance to bowlers, a thrilling contest beckons in the coming days.
