• Mitchell Starc's six-wicket masterclass dismantled India's batting lineup on Day 1 of the Adelaide Test.

  • Nathan McSweeney and Marnus Labuschagne provided Australia a strong start against India's score of 180.

Twitter reactions: Australia dominates as Mitchell Starc wreaks havoc against India on Day 1 of the Adelaide Test
Australia vs India (Image Source: X)

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The second Test of the India tour of Australia, a Day-Night affair at the Adelaide Oval, began with intense competition under the pink-ball conditions. India opted to bat first, but Mitchell Starc’s six-wicket masterclass dismantled their batting lineup, restricting them to a modest total of 180. While KL Rahul and Shubman Gill showed glimpses of form, the rest of the batting order crumbled against Australia’s fiery pace attack. In reply, Australia reached 86/1 by stumps, trailing by 94 runs. Nathan McSweeney and Marnus Labuschagne forged a steady partnership for the second wicket.

India’s batting collapse under Mitchell Starc’s brilliance

India’s innings started on a nightmare note as Yashasvi Jaiswal fell for a golden duck off Mitchell Starc’s first ball. KL Rahul and Shubman Gill showed composure, adding 69 runs for the second wicket, but their dismissals triggered a collapse. Starc, swinging the pink ball prodigiously, ran through the middle and lower order to finish with an exceptional 6/48. Pat Cummins and Scott Boland provided vital support, picking up two wickets each. Nitish Kumar Reddy fought valiantly with an aggressive 42, and Ravichandran Ashwin chipped in with 22, but India folded for a below-par 180 in just 44.1 overs.

Australia’s steady reply under testing conditions

Australia’s response began cautiously under the floodlights, with Usman Khawaja falling to Jasprit Bumrah for 13 after a watchful start. However, McSweeney and Marnus Labuschagne combined grit and skill to steady the innings. The duo added an unbeaten 62-run partnership, negating India’s pace trio and punishing loose deliveries. McSweeney looked assured on 38 not out, while Labuschagne provided solid support with 20 not out. The Indian bowlers, led by Bumrah, kept things tight, but the lack of breakthroughs left Australia in a commanding position at 86/1 by stumps.

Also READ: AUS vs IND: Fans flood social media with memes after Rohit Sharma’s disappointing return on Day 1 of Adelaide Test

Starc’s dominance with the pink ball

Starc was the star performer on Day 1, exploiting the pink ball’s swing and seam movement to devastating effect. He struck in his first over and consistently troubled the Indian batters with his lethal combination of pace and accuracy. Starc’s six-wicket haul included key dismissals like Rahul, Virat Kohli and Ashwin, breaking the backbone of India’s innings. His ability to extract movement under lights and maintain relentless pressure highlighted why he is considered one of the best pink-ball bowlers in the world. Starc’s heroics have set the tone for Australia to take control of the Test match.

Australia, trailing by 106 runs, will look to build a substantial first-innings lead on Day 2. McSweeney and Labuschagne’s partnership will be crucial in setting a strong platform for the middle order featuring Smith and Head. For India, early wickets will be key to clawing back into the game, with Bumrah and Mohammad Siraj needing to deliver with precision.

Here’s how Twitter reacted

Also READ: Fans brutally troll Virat Kohli as the Indian batter gets dismissed cheaply on Day 1 of the Pink Ball Test – AUS vs IND

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