AUS vs IND, 3rd Test, Day 2: Travis Head and Steven Smith’s centuries take Australia past 400 at Gabba. Jasprit Bumrah takes another fifer in Tests.
Brief Score: AUS 405/7 (Travis Head 152, Steven Smith 101, Jasprit Bumrah 5/72)
India were pushed on the backfoot on Day 2 of the third Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2024-25 Test at Gabba. Australia finished on 405/7, scoring 377 runs on the day. Travis Head continued his remarkable form, smashing a blistering century (152) to put the hosts in a commanding position. On the other end, Steven Smith regained his form with a composed hundred (101). The duo shared a 241-run partnership between them. For India, the only shining light was pace talisman Jasprit Bumrah, who picked up five of the seven wickets to fall.
Talking Point: India’s pace paralysis: Bumrah lacks support
Despite Jasprit Bumrah’s stellar performances, India continue to grapple with the challenge of ensuring consistent support from other bowlers in their pace bowling department. Bumrah has been doing one of the greatest single-handed carrying jobs for India in Tests. The speedster has scalped 17 wickets at an average of 11.52 in the series so far. However, he has failed to find any support in the last two Tests, as other pacers have together scalped 17 wickets among them.
Bumrah consistently bears the majority of the responsibility while other bowlers are struggling to provide him adequate support. Mohammed Siraj did the job to an extent but others were unable to maintain the same level of pressure. Hence, Australia ran away with more runs. A more balanced approach in the bowling responsibilities could enhance India’s overall bowling performance.
Read More: AUS vs IND, 3rd Test, Day 1: Persistent rain stunts play; Australia manage 28-0 in 13.2 overs
Jasprit Bumrah: India’s only spark
Absorbing an extended session, India scalped three wickets for the cost of 76 runs in just under 30 overs. Jasprit Bumrah gave India the perfect start on Day 2, dismissing Australia openers Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney cheaply in the first half-an-hour. Nitish Kumar Reddy claimed his third wicket of the innings, as Marnus Labuschagne was dismissed, caught at slip by Virat Kohli.
Despite the setback, Australia’s batting line-up remained resilient, with Steven Smith and Travis Head navigating the final moments before lunch. The two were unbeaten at the break, with Australia sitting at a steady 104/3. Meanwhile, India’s premier pacer Mohammed Siraj suffered a massive hamstring injury scare and had to walk off the pitch mid-over. But, he came back on later and was spotted fielding with ease.
Head continues his love-affair with India
Travis Head hammered a counter-attacking century to put India under pressure once again in the series. The swashbuckling batter slammed the India bowlers all around the park to reach the triple digit mark in back to back innings. He also crossed the 3500-run mark in Test cricket en route to this century. Steven Smith also regained his mojo with a fine half-century as the hosts gained full control of the game at tea.
Read More: BGT 2024-25: Australia over-dependent on Travis Head?
Jasprit Bumrah scalps five, Australia 405/7 at stumps
Jasprit Bumrah brought India back into the game by himself, completing his 12th five-wicket haul after taking the second new ball in the first innings. He sent both the centurions, Travis Head and Steven Smith, back to the pavilion, ending their 241-run stand.
However, India’s struggle continued as Pat Cummins and Alex Carey played some handy cameos and added over 50 runs for the sixth wicket before Siraj got the Aussie skipper. Later in the day, Carey played a brilliant unbeaten knock of 45, helping Australia cross the 400-run mark.
Statistical highlights from Australia vs India, 3rd Test, Day 2
- Usman Khawaja was dismissed for the third time by Jasprit Bumrah in Tests and in BGT 2024-25.
- Jasprit Bumrah dismissed Nathan McSweeney for the fourth time in this series.
- Travis Head has crossed the 1000-run mark against India in Tests.
- Jasprit Bumrah has overtaken former England great Sydney Barnes’ wickets tally (189) in Tests.
- Steven Smith registered his first hundred in 2024.
- Travis Head registered his ninth Test hundred, third against India.
- Steven Smith and Travis Head registered the fifth 200+ partnership for the 4th wicket for Australia against India in Tests. It is also the second such partnership involving these batters; the earlier one being in the WTC 2023 Final at the Oval.
- Smith now has the second most centuries for Australia in Tests.
- Steven Smith now has the joint-most Test hundreds (10) against India in Tests, along with England’s Joe Root.
- Jasprit Bumrah took his 12th Test fifer; his third against Australia.
- Bumrah has the second most five-wicket hauls by an India pacer and most by an India player in SENA countries.
What’s next
As the third day gets underway, Alex Carey (45*) and Mitchell Starc (7*) will resume their innings for Australia, looking to build on their partnership and add as many runs as possible. On the other hand, India will be keen to break through quickly and wrap up the host’s innings. With 67% chances of rain looming, both teams will be aware of the possibility of interruptions, and India will look to seize any opportunity to strike early before the weather potentially disrupts play.
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Read More: BGT 2024-25: Advantage India or Australia, going into Gabba Test?
