India targets Australia with sledging as tempers run high in Adelaide Test

Nerves ran high on Day 1 of the second Border-Gavaskar Test in Adelaide. The visitors met their pink-ball woes in the day-night contest as Mitchell Starc outplayed the entire Indian batting lineup. While the challenge against the pink ball was gauged well ahead of the match, the collapse of the Indian team after the 295-run victory at Perth was shocking. Starc started the attack early, dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal on the very first ball of the match. While KL Rahul and Shubman Gill displayed a glimpse of stability, it all came undone after Rahul’s departure to Starc. Kohli, Gill, Rohit, and Pant departed in quick succession before Nitish Kumar Reddy played a bold knock to push the total past the 150-run mark.

Tempers flare as Siraj throws expletives at Labuschagne in the Adelaide Test

India has been pushed to the back foot by the Aussies on Day 1 of the second BGT Test in Adelaide. Playing at their best with the pink cherry, Mitchell Starc bundled the Indian innings for 180, well before twilight hit the day-night match. As the visitors came out with the ball at the Adelaide Oval, some heated moments were witnessed as the match turned thrilling on the opening day itself. The venue came alive after Bumrah drew first blood for India by dismissing Usman Khawaja in the tenth over of the second innings.

India looked keen to cash in on the momentum as they turned hostile towards the batters at the crease, Marnus Labuschagne and Nathan McSweeney. Khawaja’s departure was followed by a fiery exchange between Marnus Labuschagne and Jasprit Bumrah. The crowd was treated to a thrilling instance as Labuschagne faced relentless chatter from the Indian slip cordon, led by Virat Kohli. After defending a Bumrah delivery with a straight bat, Labuschagne exchanged a sharp look with the bowler, muttering a few words in defiance. The next ball saw Bumrah beating Labuschagne's defense and playfully charging at him, prompting Labuschagne to respond with a broad smile and a shake of the head.

Meanwhile, young pacer Harshit Rana, known for his bold body language in contests, targeted Australia’s new-found opener, Nathan McSweeney. During the 12th over, Rana missed McSweeney's bat repeatedly and didn’t hesitate to throw in a few sledges, adding to the competitive atmosphere. The young pacer earned assistance from Virat Kohli at the slips, who charged in with a few chirps of his own.

The intensity peaked again in the 25th over, this time involving Mohammed Siraj and Labuschagne. Labuschagne backed away at the last moment against Siraj, citing a distraction in his eyeline, leaving the pacer visibly frustrated. Siraj followed his next delivery with an expletive for the Kangaroo. The two then engaged in animated gestures, signaling their mutual displeasure. However, Labuschagne had the last laugh, dispatching the next ball for a boundary. While tempers flared, Australia held onto their lead with 86 for 1 at stumps on Day 1.