Australia captain Pat Cummins stars as hosts demolish India by 10 wickets in second Test to level series
By Samuel Rooke
Updated 08/12/2024 at 10:20 GMT
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Australia crushed India by 10 wickets in the second Test in Adelaide on Sunday morning, roaring back to level the series after a stunning first Test defeat. Captain Pat Cummins all but completed the victory with second innings figures of 5-57. Several of the tourists got starts, but none could convert into the big score required to keep them in contention.
Pant falls as India subside to Australia on Day 3
Video credit: TNT Sports
Australia completed a dominant victory over India in the second Test on Sunday morning, with openers Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney knocking off the cursory 19 runs required for victory after the hosts' bowlers had demolished the tourists for a second time in three days.
Following the embarrassing first Test defeat in Perth, a 295-run thrashing, there was genuine concern that the aging Australian attack was no longer at the required level. But in Adelaide, the veterans struck back.
India's second innings was wrecked by the three-headed monster of Pat Cummins, Scott Boland, and Mitchell Starc, who combined for all ten wickets.
Cummins took a sensational five-for, including the scalps of KL Rahul, and Nitish Kumar Reddy.
India began the third day in trouble, at 128-5, but things immediately took a disadvantageous turn as Starc dismissed Rishabh Pant for 28 in the first over.
Only Reddy showed genuine resistance, digging in for a solid 42, but the Australian wave was not to be stopped.
Pioneers of the day/night Test match, Australia continue to dominate the sub-genre, having won 12 of their 13 matches with the pink ball.
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Speaking after the match, Australian captain Cummins was understandably pleased.
He said: "That's a great week. We were far from the team we want to be in Perth but this was good. Good to get a few wickets."
Cummins had praise for his long-term attacking partner Starc, too.
He said: "He is amazing. He has done it for over a decade. So I feel very lucky and privileged."
While Australia were humiliated in the first Test, Travis Head made a fighting 89. In Adelaide, he was named player of the match following his magnificent 140 off 141 balls.
His captain argued that the match swung on that innings.
"He loves batting here," Cummings said. "The game could have gone either way when Head went out to bat but he shifted the momentum."
Australia's victory also has important consequences for the World Test Championship standings. India have slipped to third, while Australia move into top spot. Australia have five matches remaining before the cutoff: three against India and two against Sri Lanka.
A series win in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy would all but secure Australia's place in the WTC Final. India's path is more uncertain, with South Africa currently occupying second place in the standings.
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