In the ongoing series, India’s young talent, Yashasvi Jaiswal, had a moment of bravado when he sledged Mitchell Starc in the Perth Test, saying, “You are coming too slow to me.” While Starc couldn’t respond then, he got his revenge in the Adelaide match, blowing away India’s batting line-up with fiery pace. Starc’s performance reminded everyone of his old fiery self, as he bowled India into submission. His fiery spell in Adelaide has raised the question: Is Starc the best pink ball bowler on the planet? Throughout this article, we will take a spotlight on this question with some different aspects.

The Early Blow – Jaiswal’s Dismissal

Starc set the tone right from the start. The very first ball he bowled was a full delivery that crashed into Jaiswal’s pads, leading to an LBW decision. It was a reminder for Jaiswal, who had previously mocked Starc’s pace, that this Aussie pacer was no easy opponent.

Starc's first ball to Jaiswal hit his pads for an LBW, reminding him that Starc was no easy opponent.
Starc’s first ball to Jaiswal hit his pads for an LBW, reminding him that Starc was no easy opponent.

Ruthless Onslaught – Starc Destroys India’s Top Order

After taking Jaiswal’s wicket, Starc continued his aggressive spell. He forced Lokesh Rahul to edge a catch to gully. The biggest blow came when he dismissed Virat Kohli, trapping him in the slip field. Australia’s celebrations erupted in joy, with the energy on the field at an all-time high.

Starc’s Mastery – A Brilliant Double Strike

Starc wasn’t done yet. As Ravichandran Ashwin tried to build India’s innings, Starc struck again with a perfect inswinging yorker that rattled Ashwin’s stumps. The ball dipped in a way that even Ashwin hadn’t anticipated, leaving him stranded. The Aussie bowler’s precision and skill were evident when he later dismissed Harshit Rana with a bouncing delivery followed by a perfect yorker. And, to close the innings, he got rid of Nitish Reddy, taking the final wicket and signalling the end of India’s resistance.

Starc Nears 400 Wickets in Test Career

With his remarkable performance, Starc moved closer to the 400-wicket milestone in his Test career. A bowler with a knack for delivering under pressure, Starc once again proved why he is Australia’s spearhead in the longest format of the game.

Australia’s Dominance in Adelaide

Starc’s early breakthroughs made it clear that Australia was in control. With the pink ball in hand, Starc had the ideal conditions to unleash his fury. As expected, he played a key role in dismantling India’s batting, making Australia firm favourites to take the lead in the series.

India’s Batting Struggles – Can They Fight Back?

India’s response to Australia’s first innings was disappointing. After gaining a 157-run lead, India’s batters couldn’t handle the pressure in the second innings. With only 105 runs on the board, India lost five wickets early. Starc, Scott Boland, and Pat Cummins delivered an unrelenting attack, which India struggled to counter. The hosts’ fast bowlers dominated the Indian batters, reducing their resistance to almost nothing.

Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Disappoint Again in Adelaide
Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli Disappoint Again in Adelaide

India’s Strategy in Question

India now faces a tough challenge ahead. The statistical odds are against them, as there have been only two instances of a team overcoming a 50-plus run deficit in day-night Test matches to win. With Australia holding a dominant position, India’s batsmen must regroup quickly if they are to avoid a defeat in Adelaide.

The Road Ahead – India’s Fight for Survival

With the match heading into the fourth day, India will need to produce something special to stay in the game. Australia is in the driver’s seat, but India’s resilience will be tested in the coming days. The next session could be pivotal in determining the outcome of this Test match and the fate of India’s series hopes.

Scorecard After Day 2

India: 180 in 1st innings and 128/5 in 2nd innings (Gill 28, Pant 28*, Reddy 15; Cummins 2/33, Boland 2/39, Starc 1/49)

Australia: 1st innings 337 (Head 140, Labuschagne 64; Bumrah 4/61, Siraj 4/98)

Result: India trail by 29 Runs

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A sports journalist driven by passion and dedication, I blend my love for writing and games seamlessly. Currently with Timesbull and having honed my craft at Sportskeeda, Cricreads, and Athlete Fortune,...