Australia Crushes India by 10 Wickets to Level Test Series

Australia delivered a dominant performance to crush India by 10 wickets in the second Test at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday, leveling the five-match series 1-1. The hosts displayed a near-flawless combination of batting and bowling, completing the victory in just three days.

Chasing a minimal target of 19 runs, openers Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney quickly steered Australia to the finish line without losing a wicket in the pink-ball match. The victory marked a remarkable comeback for Australia after their heavy defeat in the first Test in Perth.

India’s downfall began during the final session on Saturday, with a relentless Australian pace attack leaving them reeling. Resuming on 128-5 on the third day, India managed to add only 47 runs before collapsing for 175. Mitchell Starc struck early, dismissing Rishabh Pant in the opening over without allowing him to add to his overnight score of 28. Pat Cummins then sent Ravichandran Ashwin (7) and Harshit Rana (0) back to the pavilion.

All-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy showed some resilience with a gritty 42 but eventually fell to Scott Boland. Boland also dismissed Mohammed Siraj (7) to wrap up the innings. Cummins finished with impressive figures of 5-57, while Boland claimed 3-51. Starc emerged as the standout bowler, taking eight wickets in the match, including a stunning 6-48 in India’s first innings.

The defeat added another chapter of pain for India at Adelaide, where they had previously suffered their lowest-ever Test score of 36 in 2020.

This victory marked a significant turnaround for Australia, whose humiliating 295-run loss in the first Test had raised questions about the capabilities of their aging team. Although key players like Khawaja and Steve Smith failed to make an impact with the bat, the team silenced critics by delivering a strong all-round performance.

Australia’s dominance in day-night Test cricket was once again evident, as they extended their record to 12 wins from 13 matches under lights, including an undefeated streak of eight matches in Adelaide. In contrast, India’s struggles with the pink ball continued, with a 3-2 win-loss record in the format, including two defeats in Adelaide.

India’s problems began with the very first ball of the match, as Starc trapped opener Yashasvi Jaiswal lbw. Jaiswal, who had scored a century in the previous Test, could not replicate his heroics, and India never recovered from the early blow. They were bowled out for 180 in the first innings, with Reddy top-scoring with 42.

Starc’s sensational first-innings haul of 6-48 set the tone for Australia. India’s pace attack, on the other hand, failed to exploit the conditions with the new pink ball, allowing Australia to navigate a challenging phase and reach stumps on day one with just one wicket down.

Reflecting on India’s struggles, bowling coach Morne Morkel pointed out the inexperience of the young attack. “Our bowlers failed to find the right lines and lengths with the pink ball,” he remarked.

Australia capitalized on the visitors’ missteps, with Travis Head smashing a game-changing 140 and Marnus Labuschagne contributing 64. Their efforts propelled Australia to a total of 337, giving them a commanding 157-run lead.

In stark contrast to India, Australia’s bowlers made full use of the pink ball under lights on Saturday. They tore through India’s top order, leaving the visitors at 128-5 by the end of day two.

On Sunday, Australia required just five wickets to seal the victory, and they did so with ease. Pant’s aggressive intent proved costly as he swung wildly at Starc’s second ball and was dismissed four deliveries later, edging to Smith in the slips.

Cummins continued the onslaught by dismissing Ashwin, who gloved a bouncer to wicketkeeper Alex Carey, and Rana, who was caught at gully by Khawaja off another short ball. Reddy, who had been India’s most dependable batter across both innings, was caught in the deep by McSweeney, while Boland sent Siraj packing to end the innings.

Australia’s triumph not only restored their confidence but also underscored their mastery in pink-ball Tests. With the series now tied, the action moves to Brisbane for the third Test at the Gabba, starting Saturday.

This victory showcased Australia’s resilience and ability to bounce back from setbacks, leaving India with much to ponder about their batting frailties and inability to handle pressure in key moments.