Former Australian captain Tim Paine has praised the Aussie team for their strong 10-wicket win over India in Adelaide. Following a disappointing 295-run loss in Perth, the victory marked a strong comeback for the Aussies.
Talking to SEN, Paine said the key response was from players such as Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, Travis Head, and Marnus Labuschagne in helping to level the series at 1-1.
“This is a harshly treated team at times, but they are one of the great teams. They’ve won everything except the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, and this is the one they want to tick off,” Paine said.
Head, Starc and Cummins Lead the Way
Travis Head’s scintillating century and incisive bowling performances from Mitchell Starc (6/48) and Pat Cummins (5/67) were pivotal in Australia’s dominance.
Starc dismantled India’s batting lineup in the first innings, reducing them to 180 runs. Head counter-attacked with a brilliant 140 off 141 balls, steering Australia to 337 and a commanding 157-run lead.
Cummins delivered a captain’s performance in the second innings, claiming five wickets as India collapsed for 175, setting a paltry target of 19 runs for the hosts, which was comfortably chased in just 3.2 overs.
Paine was particularly impressed by the partnership between Marnus Labuschagne and Nathan McSweeney on the opening day. “That last session of day one was Test cricket at its absolute best. Marnus fighting for his career and McSweeney establishing himself was a spectacle,” Paine added.
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Series Levelled at 1-1
India’s batting lineup failed to stand up to the pink-ball pressure in Adelaide. After a good start with KL Rahul (37) and Shubman Gill (31) combining for 69 runs, the rest of the batting lineup did not capitalize.
Nitish Kumar Reddy provided a brief spark with a fighting 42, but Starc and Cummins proved too hot to handle. India’s second innings was no better. No Indian batter crossed the 30-run mark.
With the series now levelled at 1-1, the third Test promises to be a real cracker. “The big boys stood up,” Paine concluded, emphasizing the significance of the win for Australia.
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