Australia delivered a dominant performance in the second Test of the ongoing Border-Gavaskar Trophy, thumping India by 10 wickets to level the series 1-1 on Sunday in Adelaide. The emphatic victory came on the back of blistering displays from both their bowlers and batsmen, as they decimated India in all departments.
Travis Head was named player of the match for his searing 140 from 141 balls, involving 17 fours and four sixes, in Australia's first-innings. Meanwhile, solid bowling efforts from Mitchell Starc and Pat Cummins laid the foundation for Australia's victory. Starc struck with six wickets in the first innings, while Cummins claimed fifer in the second innings to rout India.
Earlier, India electing to bat first after winning the toss saw its top-order batsmen falter under pressure, with Australian bowlers leading an aggressive pace attack and keeping Indian batters on the backfoot throughout the innings. With their top-order batters crumbling early, India were unable to recover, ultimately posting a modest total of just 180 runs.
In reply, Australia took charge, with a clinical batting display that saw them mount a commanding total of 337 runs. Marnus Labuschagne, who had been under enormous pressure, contributed a valuable 64 runs. However, it was Travis Head who rose to the occassion, playing an outstanding knock of 140 runs that put Australia firmly in control of the match.
India's hopes of staging a fightback in their second innings were quickly dashed as Australian bowlers once again were relentless, dismantling the Indian batting lineup with ease. There was no resistance from India, setting Australia a small target of just 19 runs to win.
The small target was never going to trouble Australia, and they chased it down comfortably without losing a wicket. Opener Usman Khawaja (9*) and Nathan McSweeney (10*) ensured there were no hiccups, cruising to victory and completing the 10-wicket win.