Mitchell Starc Six Wickets Haul Restricts India At 180* In Adelaide Test

December 6, 2024: Mitchell Starc's stunning six-wicket haul (6/48) led Australia to bowl out India for just 180 runs on Day 1 of the second Test at Adelaide Oval. Starc's incredible performance, his first five-wicket haul against India in Tests, continued to enhance his reputation as one of the most dominant bowlers in pink-ball Test cricket, a format where he has been particularly lethal.

India, who elected to bat first, got off to a disastrous start. Opener Yashasvi Jaiswal was dismissed for a duck off the very first ball, trapped LBW by Starc. The early loss put pressure on the Indian top order, but Shubman Gill and KL Rahul tried to steady the ship. Gill, returning after injury, was aggressive, hitting two classy boundaries off Starc. However, the breakthrough came when Rahul was dismissed for 37 off 64 balls, caught at gully off Starc. At 69/2, India seemed to be recovering, but then Virat Kohli fell cheaply for 7, caught in the slips off Starc again.

Shubman Gill (31) continued to fight, but he was dismissed LBW by Scott Boland. India was now 81/4, and the collapse seemed imminent. In the second session, the Indian middle and lower order struggled against the Australian bowling attack. Rishabh Pant (21) put up some resistance, but was dismissed by Pat Cummins. India had only managed to add another 30 runs before they were reduced to 109/6.

Nitish Kumar Reddy (42) was the lone bright spot for India. He counterattacked with two sixes and a four off Boland, bringing some brief excitement to the Indian innings. His knock was aggressive and spirited, but he fell to Starc for 42, as India was eventually bowled out for 180 in just 44.1 overs. Starc's sixth wicket was Jasprit Bumrah, who was dismissed for a duck, leaving the Indian tail exposed.

In terms of the Australian bowlers, Starc was the standout, while Pat Cummins (2/31) and Scott Boland (2/37) supported well. Their combined efforts ensured India’s downfall, with Starc’s five-wicket haul setting the tone for Australia’s dominance.

At Tea, India were 82/4, with Pant (4) and Rohit Sharma (1) unbeaten. However, India's position remains precarious as the Australian bowlers will likely look to make quick work of the remaining Indian batsmen on Day 2.

Starc's masterful spell and India's batting collapse made the day one of the Test match an uphill battle for the visitors.