Batting legend Sunil Gavaskar is optimistic about India's chances of regaining control in the second Test against Australia in Adelaide. He believes that the dismissals of Travis Head and Steve Smith on Day 2 could be crucial in tilting the balance in India's favor. Despite Australia's strong start on Day 1, with Mitchell Starc taking six wickets to bowl India out for 180, Gavaskar remains hopeful.
Sunil Gavaskar confident of India's comeback in 2nd Test vs Australia
During an AAJ TAK TV show show, Gavaskar reminded everyone of India's remarkable comeback in the Perth Test, after being dismissed for 150 runs and highlighted their ability to bounce back from challenging situations. He believes that India can replicate their Perth heroics in Adelaide Test as well.
"As we saw in Perth, even a score of 150 was good enough for the Indians to get a small lead of 46 runs. Clearly, this Indian team is capable of striking back. All that they need to do is bowl a better length than what they did in the evening. If they get three-four wickets in the first session, including Travis Head and Steve Smith, then India can come back. They might not be able to get a big lead, but they will still be in the game," Gavaskar told AAJ TAK.
Gavaskar emphasized the importance of taking regular wickets in the first session of Day 2, particularly the wickets of Steve Smith and Travis Head. He believes that such a breakthrough could significantly boost India's chances of staging a comeback in the match.
Jasprit Bumrah, who played a pivotal role in the opening Test, was India's sole wicket-taker on Day 1, dismissing Usman Khawaja. Additionally, he had a chance to remove Nathan McSweeney, but Rishabh Pant dropped a catch when McSweeney was on 3.
"They have to make the batters play as much as they can. And this is what happens when you make the batters play as much as you can. You can set them up by bowling a couple of deliveries outside and then get the ball to move back in, as it did to Nathan McSweeney in the Perth Test, or to Labuschagne in the Perth Test, like what Bumrah did. The Indian bowlers have not really used the pink ball as well as they should have," he further added.
Talking about Australia's track record in Pink Ball Tests at Adelaide, they boast an impressive record, having won all seven matches since November 2015. They also secured an eight-wicket victory over India in the 2020-21 Border-Gavaskar Trophy. With their backs against the wall, India will have a task cut out when they take field on Day 2 with an intent to turn the tide in Adelaide Test.
Talking about the match, while replying to India's 180, Australia ended the Day 1's play at 86/1 with Nathan McSweeney (38) and Marnus Labuschagne (20) still intact on the crease.