Mitchell Starc (Photo by Michael Errey/AFP via Getty Images) At the Gabba, Australian pacer Mitchell Starc believes Australia hold the upper hand over India, particularly after India’s batting struggles, with the team reduced to 51/4. India's batting woes have been evident, failing to reach 200 runs in three out of four innings in the series. Their performance in the ongoing Test appears equally concerning.
“At 4/50, we hold a few more cards than they do. So yeah, certainly, you know, the two days of no bowling to start the Test match play a part in that, with back-to-back Tests. There’s plenty on the wicket.
I mean, tomorrow is going to dictate what happens. If we can get the ball in the right areas and take a few early ones, that obviously brings in the extra card of the follow-on,” Starc told ABC Sports. Following Australia's substantial total of 445 runs, Starc claimed two wickets, and Josh Hazlewood took one before an early lunch, leaving India struggling at 22 for three.
Pat Cummins compounded India’s troubles by dismissing Rishabh Pant in the second session. After lunch, KL Rahul and Pant faced challenging spells from Starc and Hazlewood, but frequent rain interruptions disrupted play. Cummins deployed a defensive field setup, with three slips and a gully for Pant, and four slips and a gully for Rahul when Hazlewood was bowling.
Starc’s field placement included three slips and two gullies. The only fielder positioned in front of the wicket during this perio.