Following a defeat in the first Test in Perth, Australia roared back in the second Test in Adelaide, securing a commanding 10-wicket victory over India on Sunday, December 8, 2024. The hosts have now leveled the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024 series at 1-1, with three Tests remaining.
Resuming at 128/5, India’s Day 3 began with a setback as Rishabh Pant fell in the opening over, edging a Mitchell Starc delivery to Steve Smith in the slips. Nitish Reddy and Ravichandran Ashwin offered brief resistance, but Pat Cummins’ relentless short-ball strategy proved effective, dismissing Ashwin for just seven. Cummins continued his onslaught, claiming Harshit Rana and Reddy, while Scott Boland sealed the innings by removing Mohammad Siraj. Bowled out for 175, India set a modest target of 19 runs, which Australian openers Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney comfortably chased down in just 3.1 overs.
Travis Head extended his remarkable form against India with a dazzling 140-run innings, while Mitchell Starc shone in Australia’s first innings with an exceptional bowling display, taking 6 for 48. In the third innings, skipper Pat Cummins delivered a game-changing performance, securing 5 for 57. The formidable Australian pace trio of Starc, Cummins, and Scott Boland dominated the match, collectively accounting for all 20 Indian wickets.
“Nice to get some runs again. I felt like I moved well last week, I felt like I am in good form. It’s a good dressing room to be in, it’s a tight one, most people might suggest otherwise. Putting a good performance in, nothing was ever guaranteed, nice momentum and now we have to move on with it,” said Travis Head, who was adjudged as Man of the Match, in the post-match interview.
The third test of the 5-match series will start on 14 December at the Gabba in Brisbane.
Australia rises to the top of the WTC table; India slips to 3rd
With their dominant win over India in the pink-ball Test, Australia has reclaimed the No. 1 spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2023-25 points table with a 60.71% PCT. Meanwhile, India’s second consecutive defeat in a day-night Test against Australia has seen them drop to the No. 3 position, holding a PCT of 57.29%.
🚨The CURRENT WTC POINTS TABLE..!!!
– India🇮🇳 slips down to 3rd Position.👀 pic.twitter.com/tIxm9hrJ0R
— CricTalkxRaj (@CricTalk29) December 8, 2024
South Africa currently holds the No. 2 spot in the WTC 2023-25 points table with a 59.26% PCT. They could overtake Australia for the top position if they secure a victory against Sri Lanka in the ongoing second Test at St. George’s Park in Gqeberha. Meanwhile, 2021 champions New Zealand have dropped to No. 6 in the points table following their heavy defeat against England. The Kiwis were beaten by 323 runs on Sunday in the second Test at Basin Reserve in Wellington.
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Mohd Faisal Hakak is a sports author from Kashmir. He likes to keep tabs on the sporting world with a keen interest in football, motorsports, NBA, and other marquee sports. He is a science graduate from Islamia College Srinagar.
