Day 2 of the second Test between India and Australia at the Adelaide Oval delivered a dramatic moment involving Mitchell Marsh’s survival after a contentious LBW review. The Australian all-rounder narrowly escaped dismissal, leaving Indian players frustrated and sparking intense debate over the Decision Review System (DRS).
Marsh Escapes LBW Dismissal
In the 58th over of Australia’s innings, just as Marsh walked to the crease following Marnus Labuschagne’s dismissal by Nitish Kumar Reddy, Ravichandran Ashwin produced a well-disguised full-length delivery. The ball struck Marsh on the front pad, prompting an immediate and confident LBW appeal from the Indian team. However, the on-field umpire ruled “not out,” suggesting there might have been an edge off the bat.
Undeterred, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma opted for a review, believing the ball had struck the pad first. The third umpire reviewed multiple angles but ultimately upheld the on-field decision due to inconclusive evidence and the “umpire’s call” ruling. India was forced to accept the decision and lost a crucial review in the process.
Replay Sparks Controversy
Shortly after the review, broadcasters aired an alternate angle that seemingly showed the ball hitting the pad before any potential bat contact. The footage outraged fans online, with many criticizing the third umpire for missing key evidence that could have overturned the on-field decision.
Head’s Resilience Keeps Australia in Control
Earlier in the day, India struck early with Jasprit Bumrah dismissing Nathan McSweeney for 39 and Steve Smith for just 2 in quick succession. However, Travis Head’s counterattacking innings proved to be the turning point.
Head smashed a blistering half-century, scoring an unbeaten 53 off 67 balls, helping Australia recover to 191/4 by Tea on Day 2, securing a slender 11-run lead. His aggressive approach provided much-needed stability and shifted the momentum back in Australia’s favor.
Labuschagne’s Return to Form
Marnus Labuschagne also played a crucial role, ending his poor run of form with a composed 64. His partnership with Head added significant runs before he was dismissed by Nitish Kumar Reddy, who claimed a crucial breakthrough to keep India in the contest.
Key Turning Point
While the controversy surrounding Marsh’s survival dominated discussions, Head’s resilient knock ensured Australia remained in a commanding position heading into the latter stages of their innings. The decision has reignited debates over DRS accuracy, adding another layer of drama to an already intense match.
