
It was a day when a new ‘Wicket’pedia page was opened at Adelaide. With 15 wickets in falling in the three sessions, it left fans gasping at the sheer pace of events unfolding in the Day-Night Test. At the end of Day 2, India were 9/1 in their second innings with Prithvi Shaw (4) back in the hut and Jasprit Bumrah (0*) holding the fort as the night watchman alongside Mayank Agarwal (5*). India currently lead the hosts by 62 runs.
Castled! Of course Pat Cummins delivered the goods at the close of play again! @hcltech | #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/v0maFHBg2r
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 18, 2020
The first session of the day saw six wickets tumbling, four from the Indian innings and two from the Aussies. First to go today was R Ashwin (15), without adding a run to the overnight total of 233. A thick outside-edge of a full-length delivery from Pat Cummins did him in. Wriddhiman Saha (9) followed him soon while teasing a wide outside-the-off delivery from Mitch Starc.
Saha snicks Starc and he's gone too! #AUSvIND live: https://t.co/LGCJ7zSdrY pic.twitter.com/CMrwFE5bn9
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 18, 2020
The lower order couldn't contribute much, with Umesh Yadav (6) and Mohammed Shami (0) falling to Starc and Cummins respectively within a gap of five deliveries. Australia took only 25 balls to pick up all 4 wickets and bundle out India for 244.
At this moment, the momentum certainly looked in favour of the Aussies and many would have already dismissed India’s chances to make a comeback into the game. But the Indian pacers crawled their way back in with two major blows in the first session itself. Both openers – Matthew Wade (8) and Joe Burns (8) were trapped leg before by Bumrah, as India could sense a change of tide. Both wickets were reviewed by the Aussies but the decisions went in our favour.
OUT. Matthew Wade given LBW, reviews it, but umpire's call means he has to go and Australia lose their first #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/q85ZRthR33
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 18, 2020
Indians in the field saw some really good catches as well some terrible dropped chances.
ANOTHER chance for Marnus! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/zl25xRJjIX
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 18, 2020
Virat Kohli’s flying sorcery to send back debutant Cameron Green (11) was the highlight of the day.
Cameron Green's debut innings was stopped short by an absolute classic from Virat Kohli - and the Indian captain enjoyed it a lot! #OhWhatAFeeling@toyota_Aus | #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/krXXaZI1at
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 18, 2020
On the other hand, missed chances kept sending rude jolts down India’s spine as they kept fighting to keep the Aussies within the limits. Marnus Labuschagne (47), got two lifelines, courtesy the dropped chances, before falling to Umesh Yadav.
Dropped! Labuschagne gets a life on 12! #AUSvIND live: https://t.co/LGCJ7zSdrY pic.twitter.com/ooHxon8aCE
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 18, 2020
OUT. Marnus Labuschagne tried a review but he has go, LBW to Yadav for 47 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/0mc6Dj5uGl
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 18, 2020
By tea, Australia had already lost half their side (92/5) and India were looking to wrap it up to have a strong lead going into the second innings. The third session went in India’s favour all the way as the Aussie wickets kept tumbling at regular intervals and the hosts were eventually dismissed for 191. Ashwin weaved his magic yet again, leading the pack with 4-55.
Straight back to Ashwin for a simple catch 😳
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 18, 2020
Travis Head goes cheaply and Australia in strife #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/bOG0GSbQL6
Tim Paine's unbeaten knock of 73 off 99 was the highlight of the Australian batting, with most other batsmen struggling against a clinical bowling performance from India.
Gritty knock from the skipper Paine - and much needed for Australia #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/bcKbURRBLk
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 18, 2020