IND vs AUS 2nd Test: Jaiswal Catch Sends Labuschagne Packing, But India's Nemesis Head Takes Australia Into Lead

Yashasvi Jaiswal took a stunning catch to send Marnus Labuschagne back into the pavilion, but India's tormentor Travis Head scored an unbeaten fifty to take Australia into the lead at tea break on day 2 of the second Test in Adelaide.

Jaiswal's excellent reflex catch at gully off the bowling of Nitish Kumar Reddy ended Labuschagne's knock at 64. Labuschagne seemed to have got back his touch after a fighting fifty with situation looking ominous for India as he forged a stand with Head.

However, Nitish Reddy got the important wicket a few overs before the break after his short and wide outside the off-stump delivery tempted Labuschagne, who lashed the cut and failed to keep it down.

It took a very sharp grab by Jaiswal with two outstretched hands to get rid of the Aussie batter, who could not believe that he had holed out after such a fighting knock despite losing two partners in the first session. Here is a look at the catch:

Labuschagne shared a swift 65-run stand with Head before departing, leaving Australia trailing by just 12 runs. Head, however, continued his form against India by reaching fifty to take Australia into the lead heading into the break.

With this fifty, Head has proved to be a nemesis for Team India, having played crucial knocks in the World Test Championship Final in 2023 and the ODI World Cup 2023 Final. Here is a look at Head's last six innings against India:

Travis Head last six inngs vs India in Tests (courtesy: Cricbuzz)

90 (163 balls)
163 (174 balls)
18 (27 balls)
11 (13 balls)
89 (101 balls)
53* (63 balls)

At the tea break on day 2, Australia were 191/4 with Head (53* off 67 balls) and Mitchell Marsh (2* off 10 balls) in the middle and left with more work to do after the break.

Starting with an overnight score of 86/1, Australia lost Nathan McSweeney (39 off 109 balls) and Steve Smith (2 off 11 balls) as both the batters fell to Jasprit Bumrah, who claimed three wickets in the innings following on from his dismissal of Usman Khawaja on day 1.

Earlier, opting to bat first, India posted only 180 in the Adelaide Test as Mitchell Starc ran through the batting line up, including removing Jaiswal off the very first ball of the Test.