Bumrah Takes Five, But Head and Smith’s Centuries Put Australia in Control

Centuries from Travis Head and Steven Smith, two of Australia’s most consistent tormentors of India, put the visitors firmly in charge of the third Border-Gavaskar Test at the Gabba. On a fast-paced second day, 377 runs were scored, and seven wickets fell, with five coming from the exceptional Jasprit Bumrah, who almost single-handedly kept India […]

While Bumrah led the charge, he wasn’t alone in troubling the Australian batters. Akash Deep consistently found testing areas, forcing as many false shots (45) as Bumrah (46), although he finished the day wicketless. Mohammed Siraj also put in a solid effort. India applied pressure for much of the first session, keeping Australia under control. However, as the day wore on, the lack of depth in India’s attack became evident, with Head and Smith adding a dominant 241 runs off 302 balls. The second new ball relieved India, as Bumrah quickly dismissed Smith, Mitchell Marsh, and Head. Still, Australia had already gained a decisive advantage.

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Australia Dominates Despite Weather Setbacks, India Struggles with Key Bowling Gaps

At stumps, Australia was in a commanding position at 405 for 7, in control of the Test match despite the time lost due to rain (with 13.2 overs of day one washed out). However, weather conditions may still complicate their pursuit of victory. Once again, India struggled with the challenge Travis Head posed. His automatic response to a top-of-off delivery was to play a fast-hands square cut, and despite varied attempts by India, more was needed. Their efforts with the short ball were particularly ineffective, as Head comfortably ramped the ball away over the slips, aided by the proper pace and bounce of the Gabba pitch.

The more significant issue for India was the need for sustained threats from their fourth and fifth bowlers. Nitish Kumar Reddy and Ravindra Jadeja conceded 141 runs from 29 overs, with just one wicket, which came from a loose drive by Marnus Labuschagne rather than a well-executed delivery. This problem became more evident after tea when India, with a 70-over-old ball, faced a dilemma between using their best bowlers or saving them for the second new ball. They opted to start with Reddy and Jadeja, conceding 63 runs in the first 10 overs of the session.

Smith’s Recovery and Bumrah’s Resilience Shape Day Two’s Battle

Steven Smith struggled early in his innings, battling a tough start before finding his rhythm. His first half-century took 128 balls, with numerous false shots, especially against Akash Deep. However, once he reached fifty, his confidence surged, and he accelerated, needing just 57 more balls for his second half-century. After getting off to a challenging start, Smith played only eight false shots post-fifty and began to control the game as India failed to contain him.

Jasprit Bumrah was pivotal for India, taking three crucial wickets after the second new ball was taken. His perfect-length deliveries forced Smith, Mitchell Marsh, and Travis Head into playing at balls that found the outside edge, resulting in all three batters being dismissed quickly. Bumrah’s mastery over the conditions was evident, as his deliveries consistently found the seam movement required to trouble the Australian batters.

Bumrah’s early spell on day two was almost unplayable, with 14 false shots induced in just six overs. His effort resulted in the dismissals of Usman Khawaja and Nathan McSweeney, who fell to Bumrah for the fourth time in five innings. While Marnus Labuschagne and Smith resisted with a 37-run stand, Bumrah’s relentless pressure kept Australia on the back foot, leaving India hopeful as they tried to break Australia’s growing control.