Adelaide, Australia – December 9: Former Australian opener Matthew Hayden criticized India’s batting performance during the Pink-ball Test in Adelaide, where Australia defeated the visitors by 10 wickets to level the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series at 1-1.
Speaking to Star Sports, Hayden remarked, “Team India just did not bat well enough, there’s no doubt. Even though this was a difficult track to bat on, they should not have been bowled out in under a day and a half. This needs to be rectified for the Brisbane Test.”
Australia’s Dominance in Adelaide
Australia’s victory was highlighted by Travis Head’s counter-attacking 140 and a devastating spell from Mitchell Starc (6/48), reaffirming their dominance in Pink-ball cricket. The win also maintained Australia’s unbeaten streak in day-night Tests at the Adelaide Oval, where they have now won all eight matches.
India’s poor performance with the bat has put their ICC World Test Championship (WTC) chances under pressure, as Australia has surged ahead in the standings.
Match Highlights
- First Innings:
Winning the toss and batting first, India struggled against the moving pink ball, managing only 180 runs. Notable contributions came from KL Rahul (37), Shubman Gill (31), and Nitish Kumar Reddy (42). Starc dismantled the Indian lineup, taking six wickets, while Cummins and Scott Boland claimed two each.In reply, Australia piled on 337 runs, with Travis Head leading the charge. His 140 off 141 balls included 17 fours and four sixes, supported by Marnus Labuschagne’s 64 and Nathan McSweeney’s 39. Jasprit Bumrah (4/61) and Mohammed Siraj (4/98) were India’s standout bowlers. - Second Innings:
India’s batting woes continued in the second innings, with the team being bowled out for just 175. Despite brief starts from Jaiswal (24), Gill (28), and Pant (28), the star-studded lineup failed to deliver. Pat Cummins led the attack with a stunning five-wicket haul (5/67), supported by Boland (3/51) and Starc (2/60).Australia needed only 19 runs to seal the win, which openers Usman Khawaja (10*) and Nathan McSweeney (9*) chased down comfortably in 3.2 overs.
The Road Ahead
With the series tied at 1-1, both teams now prepare for the third Test in Brisbane, starting December 14. India will need to address their batting frailties to avoid further setbacks in their quest for the WTC final. Meanwhile, Australia will look to carry their momentum and assert control in the series.
This Test showcased the brilliance of Australia’s pace trio and the resilience of their middle order, leaving India with much to introspect as the battle for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy intensifies.
