A fired-up Virat Kohli quieted the Adelaide crowd after Nitish Kumar Reddy took the vital wicket of Marnus Labuschagne just before the first session ended on Saturday, December 7. Labuschagne was dismissed for a well-played 64 (126), the highest score of the innings at that point.
The wicket fell on the third ball of the 55th over, which was Reddy’s second of the day. The delivery was short and wide, but Labuschagne went after it, slashing at the ball and sending it high into the air. The ball flew towards the right of Yashasvi Jaiswal, who was positioned at gully.
Jaiswal timed his leap perfectly, making a brilliant catch to dismiss Labuschagne. You can watch the video here:
https://x.com/starsportsindia/status/1865276147879264323?s=46
Reddy, playing just his second Test, was considered a bold choice to bowl against Labuschagne and a in-form Travis Head at the other end. However, his wicket was crucial in breaking the 65-run partnership and reducing Australia to 168/4, keeping India in the game.
Australia Holds the Lead at Tea
Australia finished the first session with a lead of 11 runs, the score at 191/4. Aside from a brief lapse in concentration, Marnus Labuschagne played brilliantly, enduring the challenging spells from Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj.
Bumrah dismissed Nathan McSweeney and Steve Smith in a quick four-over spell but didn’t bowl again in the session. Meanwhile, Harshit Rana and Siraj’s second spells conceded runs to Travis Head, who cruised to a rapid 53 (67).
India appeared to have no answers to Head’s attack and would need to improve in the second session. Ravichandran Ashwin, Harshit, and Siraj must step up to prevent Bumrah from carrying the entire load.
Australia boasts a deep batting line-up to support Head, aiming for a lead of 100-150 runs by the end of the second session.
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