Australians have struggled to score runs against a disciplined Indian attack
Australia had a fantastic first day of the summer on day one of the Adelaide Test but India have quickly turned it around on day two at the Adelaide Oval.
After bowling out India on the first ball of the second day, the home side would have been feeling extremely confident about their chances but their batsmen once again failed to back up their bowlers.
Trying to overtake 250 to take a lead, the Aussies lost Aaron Finch on the third ball of their innings and never quite recovered from it.
While some played rash shots to get out, others were too defensive in their approach. Usman Khawaja and Peter Handscomb looked solid out there but the former's 125-ball stay at the crease came to an end thanks to a well crafted Ravichandran Ashwin delivery. Handscomb, who played 93 balls for his 34 and saw the tricky phase out, fell right after tea after lashing at a Jasprit Bumrah delivery outside off -- only to hand a simple catch behind to Rishabh Pant.
Captain Tim Paine also followed suit soon after as he nicked one behind to Pant, leaving Australia struggling at 127/6 in reply to India's total of 250.
Not that the Indian bowlers didn't bowl well but the home side's mindest has clearly played a part it seemed in the Test so far. No risk cricket, no agression, Australia have looked like down and out despite having a wonderful outing on the first day of the match.
And India legend Sachin Tendulkar also expressed his amusement after seeing the approach of the Australians.
"Team India should make the most of this situation and not lose their grip. The defensive mindset by the Australian batsmen at home is something I've not seen before in my experience. @ashwinravi99 has been very effective and has played a role to help the team be on top, for now," Tendulkar tweeted.
The home side failed to carry on and build big partnerships despie building some solid stands for the second, fourth and fifth wickets.
Australia's show comes as a complete opposite to what Paine had said before the start of the game. While the idea was to play aggressive cricket with their 'skill' and not 'mouth', their implementation of it has let them down and he and his men would hope that they get close to India's total and then gun them down in the second innings.
