Australia gained a slender advantage at the tea interval on the second day of the pink-ball Test, courtesy of a resilient partnership between Travis Head and Marnus Labuschagne here on Saturday.
Head remained unbeaten on 53 off 67 balls, blending aggression and control to frustrate India bowlers.
Head’s innings was studded with commanding strokes, including a towering six off Ravichandran Ashwin and a crisp boundary off Mohammed Siraj to bring up his half-century. Labuschagne, meanwhile, showcased his trademark grit with a composed 64 before being dismissed by a spectacular gully catch from Yashasvi Jaiswal off Nitish Reddy.
Jaiswal’s effort proved a pivotal moment, breaking a threatening partnership. Earlier, Labuschagne had capitalised on Harshit Rana’s wayward deliveries, collecting four boundaries in an over to keep the scoreboard ticking.
India’s fielding and review system, however, came under scrutiny. A controversial decision involving Mitchell Marsh raised eyebrows as the third umpire declared him not out despite an apparent pad-first impact. Siraj, who bowled with discipline and hostility, was left unrewarded, with one delivery narrowly missing Labuschagne’s edge and eliciting gasps from the spectators.
Adding a touch of drama to proceedings, Virat Kohli appeared to shush someone in the stands following Labuschagne’s dismissal. Former Australian opener David Warner speculated that the gesture was directed at a spectator.
Earlier in the session, Jasprit Bumrah provided India with two crucial breakthroughs, dismissing Steve Smith and Nathan McSweeney. Smith, caught down the leg side, looked visibly dejected as he walked off. Bumrah, who has now accounted for McSweeney thrice in three innings, celebrated his second scalp with a broad grin.
The pitch, featuring spongy grass and early cracks, continued to assist both bowlers and batsmen. While Australia capitalised on favourable batting conditions under pleasant skies, India’s bowlers maintained discipline, particularly in the morning session.
With Head well-set and Marsh eyeing a counter-attack, India will aim to strike early in the second session to curtail Australia’s lead, which currently stands at 11 runs. Ashwin and Siraj are expected to play key roles as the ball loses its hardness.
