IND vs AUS: Dazzling Travis Head ton, Siraj send-off, India collapse and other big moments on Day 2 | Cricket News

Mohammed Siraj gave a fiery send off to centurion Travis Head and was booed by Adelaide crowd. (PTI photo)

NEW DELHI: A sizzling Travis Head ton was followed by a shock late Indian collapse as Australia tightened their grip in the day-night Test in Adelaide on Saturday.
After India succumbed to 180 all out on the opening day of the second Test, the Australia batters shone bright on Day 2 with Head leading the way, notching up an incredible 140 — his 8th ton in the format.

To go with Head century, the second day of the Pink-ball Test was all about drama at the Adelaide Oval as there was no shortage of entertainment.
From puzzling calls being made by the umpires to Head cradle-roll celebration to Mohammed Siraj‘s ugly send-off and then an Indian batting collapse, the second day turned out to be a cricketing blockbuster.
Amid all the razzmatazz, Australia did seize control of the game as India found themselves tottering at 128 for 5 in the second innings at the close of play after the hosts piled up 337 in their first essay.

As India trail by another 29 runs, here’s a look at the key moments of the action-packed Day 2:
Marsh’s controversial review and brain fade
The third umpire’s call on an India review turned heads first, late in the first session, as the manner and the hastiness with which Richard Kettleborough went on with the on-field call of not out, puzzled many.
In the penultimate over of the first session, India reviewed for LBW but umpire Kettleborough, without seeing multiple replays decided not to overturn the on-field call in a dramatic turn of events.

However, Marsh couldn’t make the most of his luck as early in the second session, he had a brain fade moment and ruled himself out even when he wasn’t off an R Ashwin delivery.

Assuming that he had edged the ball, Marsh walked back after the catch was completed but replays later showed that there was no bat involved and Marsh was indeed not out.
Head record ton and cradle-roll celebration
Travis Head continued to be India’s thorn in the flesh as he scored an almost run a ball ton to take the game away from India on the second day. Head smacked the India bowlers left, right and centre, notching up the fastest day-night ton off just 111 balls, breaking his own record of 112-ball century against England (Hobart in 2022).
He then followed it with an adorable cradle-roll celebration, dedicating his ton to his 5-week old son Harrison, who was at the stadium.

Siraj’s ‘unnecessary’ send-off!
A fiery Siraj bowled his heart out but as Head ton and Marnus Labuschagne (64) denied India early success with frustration was visible on Indian faces. However, when Siraj got the better of Head, he sent him off in an unruly manner which led to pacer’s criticism.

Even legendary Sunil Gavaskar wasn’t much impressed by Siraj’s actions as he labeled the send-off unnecessary. He even went on to say that the actions made Siraj a villain.

The Siraj send-off was followed by boos around the stadium.
India reeling at 128 for five
Amid all the drama, Australia wrapped up their first innings at 337 in reply to India’s 180 and took a sizable 157-run first innings lead.
Already on the back-foot, India had to come out strong in their second essay but suffered an early blow in KL Rahul, who was dismissed for 7 by Pat Cummins.
Yashasvi Jaiswal and Shubman Gill then briefly steadied the Indian ship but then Scott Boland came in and got rid of Jaiswal and Virat Kohli in quick succession as India slid to 66 for three.

The wickets of Gill and Rohit Sharma then put India further back in the game as the visitors ended the day at 128 for 5, still trailing by another 29 runs.