On Day 1 of the second day-night Test between India and Australia in Adelaide, Mitchell Starc delivered a stunning performance, claiming three crucial wickets, including one with the very first ball of the day. India, after captain Rohit Sharma won the toss, found themselves under pressure in the opening session, ending at 82-4 by the break.

The visitors were still riding high from their commanding 295-run win in the first Test in Perth, but Adelaide has been a fortress for Australia in pink-ball Tests, with seven wins from seven matches. India retained Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul as openers, but the decision backfired when Starc trapped Jaiswal lbw off his first ball, his celebration showing the intensity of the moment.

Shubman Gill, returning after a thumb injury, briefly lifted the mood with two boundaries but the runs dried up. Rahul struggled at the crease for 40 minutes without scoring before being caught behind off Scott Boland’s first delivery. Rahul survived the initial dismissal after a no-ball was called, only to be dropped by Usman Khawaja in the slips moments later. However, Starc’s brilliance returned as he dismissed Rahul for 37 with a low catch at gully.

Virat Kohli, fresh from his century in Perth, was dismissed cheaply for seven, caught by Steve Smith in the slips off Starc. Gill showed resilience but was eventually out lbw to Boland for 31 just before the break.