Brisbane: The Gabbatoir has historically been regarded as one of the most formidable cricket venues globally. Traditionally, the first Test of the Australian home season takes place here, establishing the tone for the series. The pitch is known for its pace, the crowd is fervent, and no team has exhibited greater aggression than Australia.

Situated in the city’s core, the journey to the stadium in the morning is accompanied by throngs of enthusiastic fans, all eager to create an atmosphere of excitement, contrasting with the tranquil flow of the Brisbane River. The stadium is located on Vulture Street, marked by a sign that reads ‘Vulture St. One way,’ but the true spectacle unfolds only after Australia has dominated their opponents on the field.

However, the intimidation factor of a venue is largely dependent on the performance of its home team. In recent years, Australia has maintained a balanced record at the Gabba, winning two and losing two matches since 2021. Yet, on Sunday, a sense of nostalgia returned as the crowd buzzed with energy while Travis Head (152 runs off 160 balls) and Steve Smith (101 off 190) showcased their skills against India, forming a remarkable 241-run partnership.

At the conclusion of Day 2, Australia had amassed a total of 405/7, with Alex Carey (45) and Mitchell Starc (7) at the crease.

This series unfolds in two distinct phases: one characterized by the bowling of Indian pacer Jasprit Bumrah, and the other by the batting of Australian left-hander Travis Head.

The first session commenced with a thrilling display from Bumrah, who possesses an uncanny ability to adapt to the demands of the pitch. The Australian openers adopted a cautious approach, which, against a bowler of Bumrah's caliber, can often be counterproductive.

He relentlessly tested the batters until he ultimately claimed their wickets, as evidenced by his first spell figures of 5-3-4-2, which included dismissals of Usman Khawaja (21) and Nathan McSweeney (9). The pressure exerted by the Indian pacer is remarkable and often immediate.

In fairness, other bowlers also contributed during that initial session. Akash Deep and Mohammed Siraj frequently challenged the edge but were unable to capitalize. Eventually, Nitish Reddy succeeded in dismissing Marnus Labuschagne.

Read Also: Jasprit Bumrah Sets New SENA Record, Overtakes Zaheer Khan with Impressive Five-Wicket Haul at Gabba

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