Skipper Pat Cummins used short balls to good effect and pick 5-57 in his 14 overs to set the base for Australia securing a commanding ten-wicket win over India on day three of the second Test at the Adelaide Oval on Sunday. The result also means Australia have squared the five-match series 1-1.

Resuming from 128/5, India could add only 47 runs before their second innings was brought to a swift end in 36.5 overs by Australia, with Nitish Kumar Reddy continuing to be impressive by top-scoring with 42.

Cummins led solidly from the front to get his second five-wicket haul against India in Tests, while Scott Boland picked up three scalps and Mitchell Starc took two wickets, as India gave Australia a target of just 19.

Openers Nathan McSweeney and Usman Khawaja were unbeaten on 10 and nine, respectively, as Australia completed the chase in just 3.2 overs to stage a stunning comeback with a thumping win in Adelaide after suffering a crushing 295-run defeat in Perth. It also means Australia maintains its clean slate of winning day-night Tests in Adelaide.

With Australia taking the winning honours over India in Adelaide, both teams have now got two more days of rest before meeting in the third game at The Gabba in Brisbane on December 14.

Brief Scores:

India 180 and 175 in 36.5 overs (Nitish Kumar Reddy 42, Rishabh Pant 28; Pat Cummins 5-57, Scott Boland 3-51) lost to Australia 337 and 19/0 in 3.2 overs by ten wickets

Australia top the WTC standings, India slip to third

Following this win, Australia have moved back to the top of the 2023-2025 ICC World Test Championship standings.

The side have their points percentage at 60.71 to go past both South Africa and India in the championship table, with the win at Adelaide their ninth victory of the ongoing cycle.

On the other hand, the heavy defeat has meant Rohit Sharma-led India have dropped down to third place, and see its points percentage fall to 57.29, after being 61.11 post their 295-run win in Perth.

India now needs to win its remaining three Tests against Australia in Brisbane, Melbourne, and Sydney to have a chance at entering their third straight WTC final, to be held at Lord’s next year.

South Africa, with points percentage of 59.26, is currently in a strong position to win their ongoing home Test against Sri Lanka at Gqeberha and could move up to the top of the standings if they emerge victorious.

(Compiled from syndicated feed)