NEW DELHI: Mitchell Starc delivered a breathtaking ball that left Shubman Gill with no answer, as the Australian pacer uprooted the Indian opener’s middle stump with a perfect ‘banana swing‘ on the second day of the pink-ball Test in Adelaide.
India vs Australia: How pink ball is different
The delivery, which swung sharply, was too good for Gill, who was left helpless as his middle stump was shattered. Starc’s seam movement under the lights once again proved lethal, showcasing his mastery with the pink ball.
Gill, who scored 28 off 30 balls with the help of three boundaries, was holding one end under testing circumstances in India’s second innings, but Starc came up with an outstanding delivery to give the hosts a crucial breakthrough towards the fag end of Day 2.
Earlier in the day, Australia were all out for 337, taking a 157-run lead over India’s first-innings total of 180 on Saturday. Travis Head was the standout performer for the hosts, scoring a scintillating 140, while Marnus Labuschagne contributed with a solid 64.
India’s bowlers, Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, each claimed four wickets, but Australia’s dominant batting display shifted the momentum.
India, who lead the five-match series 1-0, are now in deep trouble as they were tottering at 86/4 in their second innings after the loss of Gill’s wicket.