After a poor batting performance on Day 1, Team India bounced back strongly with their bowling on Day 2. Although Travis Head became a ‘Headache’ For India this time, the Indian bowlers managed to take wickets successfully.

After lunch, Siraj delivered a crucial blow to Australia, dismissing Head with a sharp yorker at 310 runs. Head, who scored a brilliant 140 off 141 balls, including 17 fours and four sixes, failed to counter the delivery and was bowled. However, after Head’s dismissal, Siraj lost his temper and displayed aggression, prompting Head to respond with words as he walked back to the pavilion.

Head Stood Like a Rock Against India

Travis Head once again proved to be a thorn in India’s side, playing a key role in securing a lead for Australia. He notched the eighth century of his Test career in just 111 balls, maintaining a strike rate close to 100. Among the Australian batsmen, Head was the standout performer, skillfully countering the Indian bowlers and freely playing his shots. Despite wickets falling regularly at the other end, Head anchored the innings, forming crucial partnerships with Labuschagne, Marsh, and Carey, and stood like a rock against the Indian attack. However, Siraj eventually provided relief for India by dismissing Head.

Siraj vs Head: Heated Moment on the Field

Siraj delivered Australia’s seventh blow when the score was at 310 runs, bowling a fiery yorker that Head couldn’t handle. Head departed after a sensational knock of 140 runs off 141 balls, featuring 17 fours and four sixes. However, after the dismissal, Siraj showed visible aggression, and Head responded with a few words while returning to the pavilion. This led to a brief heated exchange between the two, raising the tension on the field for a few moments. The incident’s video has gone viral on social media. Despite the altercation, the Adelaide crowd gave Head a standing ovation for his outstanding innings.

Head’s Record-Breaking Century

Travis Head smashed the fastest century in a day-night Test, reaching the milestone in just 111 balls. This broke his previous record of 112 balls, set in 2022 against England in Hobart. Head also holds the third spot on this list, scoring a century in 125 balls against West Indies in the Adelaide Day-Night Test in 2022. England’s Joe Root (139 balls) and Pakistan’s Asad Shafiq (140 balls) round out the top five fastest centuries in day-night Tests.

Match Status: India Trails Australia

Australia was 332/8 when Pat Cummins was clean-bowled by Jasprit Bumrah for 12 runs. The dismissal marked the end of the second session as the umpire called for the dinner break. Australia now leads India by 152 runs after India was bowled out for 180 in their first innings. Mitchell Starc remains unbeaten on 18 runs.

A Mixed Day for Australian Batting

Australia resumed play at 86/1 on Saturday, with the team losing three quick wickets in the first session: McSweeney (39), Steve Smith (2), and Marnus Labuschagne (64). McSweeney and Smith were dismissed by Bumrah, while Nitish Reddy took the crucial wicket of Labuschagne. Usman Khawaja was dismissed by Bumrah on Friday.

Travis Head’s Dominance

Head was the star of the day, scoring 140 runs off just 141 balls with 17 fours and four sixes. His aggressive innings helped Australia build a solid lead. He had key partnerships with Labuschagne, Mitchell Marsh (9 runs), and Alex Carey (15 runs), ensuring Australia’s dominance.

After the dismissal, Siraj showed visible aggression, and Head responded with a few words while returning to the pavilion
After the dismissal, Siraj showed visible aggression, and Head responded with a few words while returning to the pavilion

Indian Bowlers’ Performance

Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers for India, claiming four wickets. Mohammad Siraj took two wickets, while Nitish Reddy and Ravichandran Ashwin chipped in with one wicket each. Despite Head’s heroics, India managed to restrict Australia from building an unassailable lead. ( Complete score update at the time of writing this report)

Scorecard So Far

Australia’s first innings: 337 in 87.3 overs (Head 140, Labuschagne 64, McSweeney 39; Bumrah 4/61, Siraj 4/98)
India’s first innings: 180

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