Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2020-21, 1st Test (D/N): Shaw departs early, as India lead by 62 at stumps on Day 2
India are locking horns against Australia to defend the Border-Gavaskar Trophy title, that they won during their last visit, in 2018-19. India are coming off mixed luck in the limited-overs, losing the One-Day Internationals (1-2) and winning the Twenty20 Internationals (2-1).
Indian opener Prithvi Shaw's rough patch continued, as he was dismissed early. At the same time, India lead by 62 runs at stumps on Day 2 of the first day-night Test for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, at the Adelaide Oval, on Friday.
Winning the toss, the Indians had elected to bat first, as they lost the openers for cheap. Nonetheless, it was Cheteshwar Pujara (43), along with Kohli (74) and vice-captain Ajinkya Rahane (42), who played a decent knock to propel India to 233/6 at stumps on Day 1.
Resuming at the overnight score on Day 2, it was just the third ball of the day that saw all-rounder Ravichandran Ashwin falling for 15 to Pat Cummins, at the same score. Just a couple of runs later, wicketkeeper-batsman Wriddhiman Saha irresponsibly threw away his wicket, as he departed for mere nine to Starc.
As India reached 240, they did eye the 250-260 target. Nonetheless, the tailenders could not do much, as both Umesh Yadav and Mohammed Shami fell in single digits to the very pacers, while India were shot out for 244.
Among the Australian bowlers, Starc was the star, claiming 4/53. He was followed by Cummins, who claimed 3/48, as the duo was highly effective with the new ball.
As the Australians came out to bat, they were off to a slow start and it was only in the fifth over that they got their opening runs. However, with just 16 runs on the board, it was wicketkeeper-opening batsman, Matthew Wade, who was trapped leg-before to pacer Jasprit Bumrah for mere eight, while even the DRS ruled it in favour of the umpire.
Meanwhile, it was 13 runs later, when fellow opener, Joe Burns, too, similarly fell the wrath of Bumrah, at the same score. As the sides went into the dinner break, Australia were 35/2, with Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith unbeaten on 16 and one, respectively.
Following the dinner break, Australia resumed on a shaky note again. Just 10 runs were added, as Steve Smith was dismissed for a mere single by Ashwin, who was caught at the slips by Rahane.
Travis Head, along with Labuschagne, added 20 more runs, before the former fell for mere seven to the same man, who caught him off his very delivery. Meanwhile, it was 14 runs later, when all-rounder Cameron Green departed for 11, after being brilliantly caught by Kohli, off Ashwin again.
As Australia resumed post tea break at 92/5, Labushagne and Paine took the hosts past 100. However, at the score of 111, the former was trapped leg-before by pacer Umesh Yadav, for 47. The very over, saw Pat Cummins depart for an unfortunate duck.
Along with Starc, Paine looked to take control of the innings. Nonetheless, at 139, the former fell for 15 in the form of a run-out. As Lyon supported him, Paine brought up his seventh Test half-century.
Nevertheless, it was the lack of partnerships at the closing stages that continued to hurt the Aussies. At the score of 167, Lyon departed for mere 10 to Ashwin, which was followed by Josh Hazlewood for eight, off Umesh, as Australia were bundled out for 191.
For the Indians, Ashwin just nailed it, unexpectedly, on Day 2, as he finished with figures of 4/55. Meanwhile, he was duly supported by the pacers, with Umesh claiming 3/40, along with Bumrah (2/52), as India led by 53 runs.
Coming out to bat, Shaw gave India a shaky start, as he fell for mere four to Cummins, who played him down at the score of seven. Nonetheless, it was fellow opener Mayank Agarwal, along with night-watchman Jasprit Bumrah, who ensured that there were no further hiccups for the day, as they stayed unbeaten on five and zero, respectively, while India lead by 62.
Brief scores: India 244 & 9/1 (Myanak 5*; Cummins 1/6) lead Australia 191 (Paine 73; Ashwin 4/55, Umesh 3/40) by 62 runs.