Will India Exorcise the Ghosts of Their 36 All-Out Nightmare at Adelaide

The Adelaide Oval, bathed in twilight and the pink glow of the day-night Test, witnessed a riveting opening day in the second Test of the BorderGavaskar Trophy. Unfortunately for Indian fans, the day belonged to Australia, thanks to Mitchell Starc’s fiery bowling spell that dismantled India’s batting lineup. By the end of the day, Australia had reduced their deficit significantly, courtesy of resilient batting from Marnus Labuschagne and debutant Nathan McSweeney.

Mitchell Starc once again demonstrated why he is regarded as the king of pink-ball cricket. From the very first delivery, it was evident that Starc was on a mission. His opening ball, a searing in-swinger, trapped Yashasvi Jaiswal plumb in front and set the tone for the rest of the innings. Starc struck in each of his three spells, finishing with career-best figures of 6 for 48. This performance took his pinkball tally in Australia to a staggering 72 wickets, reinforcing his dominance in this format.

India, batting first after winning the toss, faltered early when Jaiswal fell to Starc. However, Shubman Gill and KL Rahul briefly steadied the innings with a promising 69-run stand for the second wicket. Just as India seemed to be regaining momentum, Starc returned for a lethal second spell. He dismissed Rahul for 37 and claimed the prized scalp of Virat Kohli shortly after. Gill, who looked in good touch, was trapped leg-before by Scott Boland, marking the beginning of a chaotic predinner session during which India lost three wickets for just 12 runs.

Rohit Sharma, batting lower down the order to accommodate KL Rahul at the top, couldn’t provide the stability India desperately needed, falling for just 3. Rishabh Pant attempted to counterattack but succumbed to a sharp bouncer from Pat Cummins. Amidst the carnage, debutant Nitish Kumar Reddy was a lone bright spot. Displaying remarkable audacity, he played a series of innovative strokes, including a reverse-swat six off Boland. Reddy’s 42 off 54 balls was India’s top score in their total of 180, but his efforts weren’t enough to salvage the innings.

Jasprit Bumrah gave India a glimmer of hope by dismissing Usman Khawaja with a beauty of a delivery. However, Australia’s batters dug in. Labuschagne, under pressure for his recent lean patch, and McSweeney, making his debut, displayed grit and composure under challenging conditions. They safely guided Australia to 86 for 1 by stumps, reducing the deficit and tilting the day firmly in Australia’s favor.

For those unfamiliar with the concept, the pink ball represents a revolutionary innovation in Test cricket, introduced to make the format more viewerfriendly. The first daynight Test, played in Adelaide in 2015, marked the beginning of this new era. The pink ball, with its pronounced seam and enhanced swing, presents unique challenges for batters. Its improved visibility under floodlights makes it ideal for day-night Tests, addressing the visibility issues of the traditional red ball under artificial lights.

The idea of the pink ball emerged as a response to dwindling viewership for Test cricket, especially with the rise of T20 leagues worldwide. Cricket stakeholders recognized the need to revitalize the format without compromising its essence. Players, too, have often expressed their regard for Test cricket as the ultimate challenge of skill and temperament. The pink ball, blending tradition with innovation, has helped maintain that balance.

However, the challenges of playing with the pink ball might not be lost on the Indian team. Memories of their infamous 36 allout in the 2021 Adelaide day-night Test linger as a painful reminder to Indian fans. Adelaide Oval, a fortress for Australia in pinkball Tests, has seen the hosts remain unbeaten in this format, which is a record that only adds to India’s worries.

For the moment, day 2 presents a daunting task for India. The impetus will be on Bumrah again to exploit the conditions and make early inroads to restrict Australia’s lead. Fuller lengths and disciplined lines will be crucial if they hope to turn the tide, which wasn’t the case on day 1. For Australia, the opportunity to capitalize on their strong start and level the series heading into the third Test looms large.

For fans, the spectacle of a pink-ball Test under the floodlights is more than just a game, it’s a testament to cricket’s evolution and its ability to adapt while preserving its history. But the key question on everyone’s mind would be- will India stage a fightback, or will Australia continue their dominance? Day 2 holds the answers!

THE VIEWS EXPRESSED BY THE AUTHOR ARE PERSONAL

Siddhaarth Mahan, The writer is a specialist on Sports and Cinema who works as an actor in the Hindi film industry