** MITCHELL STARC'S KILLER BLOW GETS RISHABH PANT AS INDIA INCH CLOSER TOWARDS DEFEAT**

India’s disastrous performance in the Adelaide Test continued on the third day as Mitchell Starc delivered a killer blow to India’s fragile batting lineup, dismissing Rishabh Pant with a stunning delivery. The Indian team, already under pressure, saw their hopes of a comeback in the match shrink further as Pant's untimely dismissal brought Australia even closer to a dominant victory. This moment symbolized the uphill battle India faces in the ongoing match, and the team is inching closer to a defeat that could end their series hopes.

Pant’s Struggles Continue

Rishabh Pant, one of India’s most dynamic and aggressive players in recent years, has not been able to find his rhythm in the ongoing series. Despite showing flashes of brilliance in past tours of Australia, Pant has struggled to convert his starts into substantial innings in this Test. His dismissal on the third day was the third time in the series that he failed to capitalize on a solid opportunity, throwing away his wicket when India desperately needed him to stabilize the innings.

In a Test match where every run counts, Pant's inconsistency has become a major point of frustration for both the team and the fans. His attacking style, which has made him a match-winner on numerous occasions, has sometimes led to his undoing. Here, his attempt to play an expansive drive away from his body, with minimal footwork, resulted in a thin outside edge that flew to Steve Smith in the slips, who made no mistake in accepting the catch.

Starc’s Skillful Delivery

Mitchell Starc, one of the finest left-arm pacers in world cricket, showcased his brilliance once again with a well-executed delivery. The ball, which was full in length, shaped away from Pant after pitching around the off-stump. This natural movement of the ball is what makes Starc so dangerous, particularly against left-handed batters. Pant, who had been looking to get his innings going, was drawn into an ill-advised drive away from his body. The ball nipped away, taking the outside edge and giving Starc another well-deserved wicket.

This dismissal was a demonstration of Starc’s ability to extract the best from the conditions and use his swing to his advantage. The delivery was a perfect example of how the Australian pacer can create pressure and reward patience with the ball, and it was fitting that it came at such a crucial moment. With Pant gone, India’s hopes of recovering from a challenging position were dealt a severe blow.

India’s Struggling Top Order

India’s innings had already been under serious threat from Australia’s fast bowlers, who had relentlessly attacked the Indian batters from the very beginning. With wickets falling at regular intervals, the pressure had been building on India’s middle and lower order to put up a resistance. Pant, in particular, was expected to provide that resistance. But once again, he was unable to make a significant contribution, leaving India in a precarious situation.

India’s top order had already failed to provide a solid foundation in this match, with several key batters falling early in the innings. The loss of KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Virat Kohli to the Australian seamers had left India’s batting lineup in disarray. This left the likes of Pant, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Ravichandran Ashwin to try and salvage something from the wreckage, but Pant’s departure made that task even more daunting.

Pant’s dismissal, coming in the 25th over of India’s second innings, left India at 140 for 6, and the writing was on the wall. With two inexperienced players at the crease, it appeared that India would soon be facing a heavy defeat. Starc’s wicket was yet another sign of how difficult it was for India to get their innings together in the face of relentless Australian bowling.

Ashwin Joins Nitish Reddy

Following Pant's dismissal, India’s veteran spinner Ravichandran Ashwin walked out to the middle to join Nitish Kumar Reddy. At the time of writing, India were 140 for 6, with Reddy (23*) and Ashwin (4*) at the crease. Reddy, an emerging talent in Indian cricket, has shown promise but still lacks the experience needed to turn matches around under pressure. On the other hand, Ashwin, although one of the more experienced players in the squad, is not known for his aggressive batting. The odds were stacked against both of them.

India’s hopes were now pinned on the two of them to produce something special, but with Australia’s bowlers firing on all cylinders, it seemed an unlikely prospect. Ashwin has shown in the past that he can hold the fort when required, but a score of 371 in the first innings is a massive target, and India’s task was now looking near impossible. Reddy, too, would have to be at his best if India were to avoid a humiliating defeat. However, with the pressure mounting and the wickets falling at regular intervals, it seemed like a matter of time before India would collapse once again.

Australia’s Dominance

Australia’s control over the game was becoming more apparent as the day wore on. The dismissals of Pant and the earlier wickets of India’s top order had effectively sealed India’s fate. With Australia boasting a formidable bowling attack led by the likes of Mitchell Starc, Pat Cummins, and Nathan Lyon, India were finding it increasingly difficult to find any footing in the match.

The Australian pacers, in particular, have been relentless, exploiting the conditions perfectly and making it difficult for the Indian batters to get settled. Starc’s brilliance was just one example of how Australia’s bowlers had been on top throughout the match, with India unable to mount any significant partnerships. It was clear that the Australian team was not going to let India back into the game.

The Road Ahead for India

As the match progressed, it seemed more and more likely that India would face a humiliating defeat unless something extraordinary happened. India’s batting has been their Achilles’ heel in the series, with the team failing to cope with the pressure applied by Australia’s bowlers. The dismissals of key players like Pant, along with the lack of a substantial partnership, have left the team in a difficult position.

The Indian management will have to reflect on the performance of their batters and the strategies employed in the series. With an already depleted squad, India needs to address the gaps in their batting lineup and provide a more solid foundation for their top order. They will also need to look at how they can play against the Australian pace attack, which has been a major factor in India’s downfall.

Conclusion

Rishabh Pant’s dismissal by Mitchell Starc was yet another crushing blow in a Test that India will want to forget. With India now reeling at 140 for 6, the task ahead is monumental. The Indian team will need a near-miraculous performance to avoid defeat and salvage something from this match. As things stand, Australia is well on its way to a comprehensive victory, and India will have to regroup and come up with a much better plan in future matches to compete with the formidable Australian side. —register today