A technical glitch during Day 1 of the Adelaide Test between India and Australia added a mix of humour and drama to an otherwise challenging session for India.
The glitch occurred when Mohammed Siraj bowled to Marnus Labuschagne in the 24th over. The delivery was clocked at an astonishing 181.6 kmph—far beyond the realm of possibility—sending cricket fans into a frenzy on social media. The malfunctioning speed gun quickly became the subject of memes and jokes, with fans humorously reviving the popular ‘DSP Siraj’ memes, offering a light-hearted moment in an otherwise tense match.
Also Read: India Triumphs In Shortest Ever Test Match Against South Africa
Meanwhile, the drama on the field wasn’t limited to the speed-gun blunder. Australia’s Marnus Labuschagne was distracted by a fan near the sight screen, who had created a “beer snake,” forcing Labuschagne to step away from the crease. This interruption led to a heated exchange of words between Siraj and Labuschagne, adding a fiery layer to the encounter. Indian fans, feeling the intensity of the match, embraced the moment, which briefly lifted their spirits.
On the cricketing front, India’s batting was disappointing, as they were bowled out for just 180 runs. Nitish Kumar Reddy provided some resistance lower down the order, but Australia’s bowlers, particularly Pat Cummins and Mitchell Starc, were relentless in their attack.
India’s bowlers, led by Jasprit Bumrah, tried to make inroads, with Bumrah dismissing Usman Khawaja early to claim his 50th Test wicket of 2024. This milestone placed Bumrah in an elite group alongside Indian greats Kapil Dev and Zaheer Khan.
Australia responded strongly, with Labuschagne and Steve Smith steadying the ship, finishing at 86/1 by stumps, leaving India trailing by 94 runs. Despite the setback, India will be looking to bounce back on Day 2, with Siraj and Bumrah leading the charge. Although Australia holds a slight advantage, India remains very much in the contest. For Siraj, the focus will now shift from the technical glitch to delivering precision and pace as the match progresses.
