Nitish Kumar Reddy was in action for India on the first day of the 1st Test against Australia in Adelaide. With India reeling at 141/8, Nitish took it upon himself to take his side close to the 200-run mark. Towards the end of the second session, he targeted Australian pacer Scott Boland and even overtook him for a six. On the second ball of the 42 over, Boland fired a delivery that would have taken the ball to the top of the off. However, Reddy shuffled and hurled the ball backwards over the third man.

Jasprit Bumrah, who was alongside the non-striker, beamed after seeing Nitish’s casual strokeplay. The two laughed at that.

THIS IS CINEMA!

Pink ball, seam conditions and fire-breathing bowlers – it doesn’t matter #NitishReddy! #AUSvINDOnStar 2nd test NOW LIVE on Star Sports! #AUSvIND | #ToughestRivalry pic.twitter.com/IM9HaBrv63

— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) December 6, 2024

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– Bleh (@rishabh2209420) December 6, 2024

Reddy was the last Indian batsman to be dismissed as the visitors were bowled out for 180. Mitchell Starc bagged his 15th five-wicket haul, taking the tally of 6/48.

KL Rahul was the second best batsman for India, scoring 37 after some early calls. Shubman Gill also scored 31 points while Ravichandran Ashwin (22) and Rishabh Pant (21) also made valuable contributions.

As many as 36,225 spectators thronged the stands at the Adelaide Oval on the first day of the second India-Australia Test, setting a new attendance record for a five-day match between both teams.

According to Cricket Australia (CA), the previous record attendance was 35,081 during the 2011-12 series, in which India lost 4-0 to the home team.

A sellout crowd was predicted at the 53,500-capacity stadium on Friday as India and Australia reignited their rivalry after a long break between the first and second Tests.

This is India’s first pink-ball Test in Australia since they were extended for 36 at the same venue in 2020.

Fans also flocked to the Optus Stadium in Perth in record numbers for the first Test, which the visitors won by 295 runs, marking their biggest victory on Australian soil.

According to CA, the first two days at Perth Stadium set Perth Test match attendance records with 31,302 (Day 1) and 32,368 (Day 2) passing through the gates respectively.

The total attendance for the Border-Gavaskar Trophy series opener was 96,463, the second highest total attendance ever recorded in Perth and the highest at Perth Stadium, CA had stated in its press release.

Large crowds are also expected in Brisbane, Melbourne and Sydney, the venues for the remaining games of the five-game series.

(With PTI inputs)