Overnight batters Nathan McSweeney and Marnus Labuschagne were unable to build on their partnership in the morning session, thanks to a brilliant spell from Jasprit Bumrah.
However, Bumrah didn’t get the necessary support from the other bowlers, allowing Labuschagne and Travis Head to steadily close in on India’s modest total of 180.
With Labuschagne growing in confidence, Nitish Kumar Reddy stepped up for India, delivering a crucial breakthrough with an intense moment of play.
After conceding six runs in his first over of the day, Reddy bowled a couple of dot balls to Labuschagne before testing him outside the off-stump. The Andhra all-rounder delivered a well-pitched length ball wide outside the stumps, tempting Labuschagne to go for a big shot.
The batter attempted a cut but got an awkward top edge, sending the ball high, and Yashasvi Jaiswal reacted quickly to his right to take a sharp catch in the gully. The breakthrough, thanks to Jaiswal’s lightning reflexes, was a huge relief for India.
Kohli yaar 😭 pic.twitter.com/YQ53uxXsD1
— S (@Safulakbar) December 7, 2024
Virat Kohli, fired up by the moment, followed up with a fiery send-off as Labuschagne trudged off the field, turning to the crowd with a “shush” gesture, finger pressed to his lips. The charged atmosphere was palpable, and Twitter quickly erupted, reacting to Kohli’s emotional display at the Adelaide Oval.