BGT 2024-25: After a 295-run loss in the first test, the Australians roared back to extend their pink-ball tests winning streak in Adelaide and secured a massive 10-wicket victory to level the ongoing five-match test series with 1-1.

The opening batters Usman Khawaja (9 runs) and Nathan McSweeney (10 runs) comfortably chased a mere target of 19 runs on Day 3, resulting in the defending champions reconfirming their standing as table toppers in the points table of WTC (World Test Championship) 2023-25. However, the Aussies were able to claim their 8th Day/Night test win in Adelaide with an 8-0 record due to Mitchell Starc’s 6-fer, and the captain Pat Cummins’s 5-wicket haul.

Most importantly, Travis Head’s 8th test century during Australia’s first innings deserves a special mention by assaulting against the dominant pair of Indian pacers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, who took 4 wickets each.

Unfortunately, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma registered an unwanted record with his fourth consecutive test match loss, joining the list alongside former captains Virat Kohli, MS Dhoni, Sachin Tendulkar, and MAK Pataudi.

On the third day, India had a chance to compete against the hosts by starting the afternoon session at 128-5, trailing 29 runs.

The Aussies required just 16.1 overs of the day to knock down the Indian batting lineup starting with Rishabh Pant’s dismissal (28 runs out of 31 balls — including 5 fours). In contrast to the expectations of delivering a fightback performance from the visitors, Rohit Sharma’s led side surrendered by setting a target of just 19 runs, with Nitish Reddy being the only top scorer in both innings.

Let’s find out the best performers of the second test and how the pink ball cricket match in Adelaide became the shortest test match for India against Australia in the longest format’s history.

Notable Performances from India vs Australia Pink Ball Test BGT 2024-25

Despite India batting first after winning the toss, the Australians started off their domination with the pink ball that bundled out the team’s first innings total to 180 in 44.1 overs.

Mitchell Starc’s 6-Wicket Haul:

Registering his career-best bowling figures of 6-48, Mitchell Starc bowled just 14.1 overs but pressurized the opponents by dismissing Yashasvi Jaiswal for a golden duck. Subsequently, the Indian batters KL Rahul (37 runs), Virat Kohli (7 runs), Nitish Reddy (42), Ravichandran Ashwin (22 runs) and Harshit Rana (0) became a prey to the veteran pacer’s fierce performance.

In addition, Pat Cummins (2-41 in 12 overs) and Scott Boland (2-54 in 13 overs) gave a supporting performance to bolster the pace bowling attack.

Travis Head’s 14th International Ton:

Australian’s left-handed batsman Travis Head proved to be a HEAD-ache for Indian bowlers, by scoring 140 runs and smashed 17 fours and 4 sixes batting at a strike rate of 99.29, out of the 141 deliveries faced.

Bumrah and Siraj’s 4-Fer:

Jasprit Bumrah’s 4-61 and Mohammed Siraj’s 4-98 made use of the pace-friendly pitches in Adelaide, but couldn’t control Head’s explosive innings that resulted Aussies taking a lead of 157 runs.

Though Siraj managed to dismiss Head with a stunning yorker delivery, it was too late as the Australians easily piled up a 300-plus total (337-10 in 87.3 overs).

Pat Cummins’s 5-Fer:

Australian captain Pat Cummins led the bowling unit from the front with his 5-wicket haul that concluded India’s 2nd innings total with 175-10 in 36.5 overs. It includes the dismissals of KL Rahul (7 runs), Rohit Sharma (6 runs), Nitish Reddy (42 runs), Ravichandran Ashwin (7 runs) and Harshit Rana (0).

Nitish Reddy’s 42 in Both Innings:

Indian all-rounder Nitish Reddy was the only top-scoring batsman for his side with his instant 42-run-knock in both innings, but missed out on achieving his maiden test half-century:

India’s Shortest Test Match vs Australia | BGT 2024-25

The recently concluded pink ball test turned out to be the shortest test match for India against Australia in cricket history (in terms of balls bowled):

List of Indian Captains with 4-Plus Consecutive Loss in Test Matches: From Rohit Sharma to MAK Pataudi

Starting from a 0-3 whitewash against New Zealand in the previous month’s home test series, Rohit Sharma records his 4th consecutive test match loss in Adelaide:

India’s Chances to Qualify for WTC 2025 Final After Adelaide Test Loss: Final Opinion

Team India’s PCT declined from 61.11 to 57.29 after losing the Day/ Night Test in Adelaide and their only chance to qualify for the WTC 2025 final is possible by winning all three remaining matches. This would help Rohit Sharma’s led side to gain 146 points at 64.05 PCT, which cannot be surpassed by Australia.

Let’s take a glance at India’s WTC final qualification scenarios based on the outcome of the ongoing Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2024-25:

Finally, it becomes clear that India can afford only a draw and two wins to gain a PCT above 60, which could help keep their hopes alive to enter the WTC 2025 final.