Australia’s head coach, Andrew McDonald, expressed surprise at the quick drying of the Optus Stadium pitch on the second day of the Test match, remarking how it unexpectedly facilitated the Indian batters. The home team’s bowlers had performed well, but the conditions shifted in favor of their opponents.

Indian openers Yashasvi Jaiswal and KL Rahul capitalized on this advantage, securing an unbroken 172-run partnership, which put India 218 runs ahead. Despite a dramatic first day with 17 dismissals, only three Australian tail-enders fell on the second day. McDonald noted the lack of seam and swing compared to day one, attributing it to the changed conditions.

Nonetheless, McDonald remains optimistic, emphasizing the unpredictable nature of Test cricket. He hopes the upcoming second new ball will be a turning point for the Australian side. The focus remains on strategy execution and controlling the game’s tempo, as the hosts face a potential challenging chase.

(With inputs from agencies.)