Travis Head blasted a dazzling 140 to put Australia firmly in control against India on day two of the second day-night Test at Adelaide Oval on Saturday.
India stumbled to 128-5 by stumps, trailing by 29 runs, as Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Scott Boland tore through their top order under the lights. Rishabh Pant stood strong on 28, alongside Nitish Kumar Reddy on 15.
Australia, starting at 86-1, racked up 337 just after tea, taking a 157-run lead. Head’s explosive knock included 17 fours and four sixes, while Marnus Labuschagne chipped in with a gritty 64.
“We’re in a solid position after two dominant days,” said Head, reflecting on his impact.
India’s response got off to a rough start, with KL Rahul gloving a short ball from Cummins to Alex Carey for a duck. Yashasvi Jaiswal managed just 24 before edging Boland to Carey. Boland also dismissed Virat Kohli for 11 in a similar fashion.
Shubman Gill, after a determined 28, had his middle stump uprooted by Starc, and Rohit Sharma was out for six to Cummins.
Earlier, India’s Jasprit Bumrah and Rishabh Pant had combined to dismiss Nathan McSweeney (39) and Steve Smith (2) cheaply, but Labuschagne’s 21st Test fifty and Head’s fiery innings set the tone.
Head, who was dropped on 76 by Mohammed Siraj, picked up the pace after reaching his half-century and notched up his eighth Test century. Siraj finally bowled him out, sparking a heated exchange between the bowler and the Aussie.
India’s bowling coach, Morne Morkel, praised Head’s performance, acknowledging the tough challenge his team faced.