Siraj’s “Fastest Ball”, Fiery Exchange Add Drama to India’s Struggles on Day 1

News Desk

Islamabad: The opening day of the Adelaide Test between India and Australia witnessed a blend of unusual incidents, spirited exchanges, and standout performances, keeping the crowd entertained throughout.

In a strange turn of events, a speed gun malfunction during the 24th over of Australia’s innings clocked a delivery by Mohammed Siraj at an unbelievable 181.6 kmph.

The inaccurate reading quickly went viral, giving rise to humorous memes and a wave of online banter, with fans dubbing Siraj as ‘DSP Siraj’ in a nod to the comical exaggeration.

Adding to the drama, Marnus Labuschagne faced a bizarre distraction when a fan near the sight screen attempted to assemble a beer snake, causing the batter to step away from the crease. This led to a brief but heated exchange between Labuschagne and Siraj, adding a fiery edge to the contest.

On the field, India struggled with the bat, managing a below-par total of 180. Nitish Kumar Reddy’s efforts lower down the order offered some resistance, but Australia’s pace duo of Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc were relentless, ensuring the Indian batting lineup crumbled under pressure.

India’s bowlers sought redemption, with Jasprit Bumrah striking early to dismiss Usman Khawaja and claiming his 50th Test wicket of 2024. The milestone placed Bumrah in the esteemed company of Indian greats like Kapil Dev and Zaheer Khan.

However, Australia’s Labuschagne and Steve Smith steadied the innings, guiding their team to 86/1 by the close of play, with a lead of 94 runs.

Heading into Day 2, India will rely on Siraj and Bumrah to spark a comeback. Despite the deficit, the visitors remain in the game, with the Adelaide Test shaping up to be a gripping contest.

Additional input from Samaa News website