Mitchell Starc Commends Australia's Grit And Determination After Career-Best Performance Against India

Mitchell Starc lauded Australia's "grit and determination" after they bowled India out for 180 on the opening day of the day-night second Test in Adelaide. The left-arm pacer delivered a career-best performance, taking 6-48 with the pink ball, dismantling India's batting line-up and putting the hosts in control.

Australia concluded the first day at 86-1, trailing India's total by just 94 runs. They aim to recover from a 295-run loss in the first Test in Perth. Starc gave Australia an early advantage by dismissing India opener Yashasvi Jaiswal with the first ball of the match.

Starc also claimed crucial wickets of top-order batsmen KL Rahul (37) and Virat Kohli (31). He wrapped up India's innings by taking three more wickets, including that of top scorer Nitish Kumar Reddy (42). "It was a good day all round," Starc told ABC after play ended.

"We were a fraction wide in the first hour but after that we were bang on with the ball," he added. "With the pink ball you are never out of the game in terms of it doing something. There might be periods when it doesn't do as much, but then it might start doing things. But not a lot of what I do changes."

Starc's previous best in Test cricket was 6-50 against Sri Lanka at Galle in August 2016. He now has 72 wickets in day-night Tests, significantly more than Nathan Lyon, who has 43. Jasprit Bumrah (1-13) dismissed Australia opener Usman Khawaja, but Nathan McSweeney remains unbeaten on 38.

Marnus Labuschagne will join McSweeney on 20 when play resumes on day two. "To get batting on day one and go to stumps with grit and determination was fantastic, in what are the most difficult conditions in pink-ball cricket," Starc said.

"If we have a successful first session on day two, we hold the cards," he concluded confidently.