IND vs AUS Highlights: India favorite's in New Delhi
India will still start as overwhelming favourites for another three-day finish when they take on Australia in the second Test from Friday. The match will be one of Indian cricket's understated warrior Cheteshwar Pujara's 100th Test, a feat achieved after 13 years of sweat and toil. While Pujara would like to savour the momentous personal milestone with a 20th Test ton, one can't but paper over the concerns around India's top-order.
KL Rahul's prolonged run of failures remains a worry but Save skipper Rohit Sharma, who was regal in attack and classical in defence during his hundred on a slow turner in Nagpur, the others failed to get going in the opener. Besides Rahul, the list of strugglers includes the peerless Virat Kohli and, to an extent, Pujara.
Kohli is leaving no stone unturned to up the ante while facing the spinners. Round two of Kohli versus Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy could be equally enticing.
IND vs AUS 2nd TEST Playing XIs:
India: Rohit Sharma (captain), KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Shreyas Iyer, Ravindra Jadeja, Srikar Bharat (wicketkeeper), Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj
Australia: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steven Smith, Travis Head, Peter Handscomb, Alex Carey (wicketkeeper), Pat Cummins (captain), Todd Murphy, Nathan Lyon, Matt Kuhnemann (Reporting by Amlan Chakraborty in New Delhi; editing by Peter Rutherford)
Read More IND vs AUS stories-
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It is always challenging and when you have quality bowlers like Ashwin and Jadeja it is always challenging. The gameplan was always the same, it has been pretty steady from the year and a half, I'm always looking to score runs, I like the conventional sweep too. If you hit one over mid-off it is always risky to hit one again. When the ball is spitting it is always dangerous to hit straight. The right-handers get all the good stuff, no rough outside the off-stump. There is a reason India have produced a lot of great right-handers, left-handers need to be flamboyant to score runs. Peter has got a great defence, he batted beautifully today. I hope so, we got 260 and you don't know what is a good score on this track until the other team bats. I have played only once here in Delhi, last time I was the 12th man and in 2012 it was a 200 v 200 sort of game. I think tomorrow will tell the tale where it is going.
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India finished the day without losing a wicket. However, having said that the wicket is playing a lot more tricks now. Australian bowlers will be licking their lips to bowl on this one. Todd Murphy hasn't bowled today however, will play a huge part tomorrow. Indian openers need to play longer for tomorrow and blunt the new ball so that it gets easier for the batters to follow. That's that for that day folks. A lot of intense cricket to follow tomorrow.
Rohit and Rahul are looking solid in defence. Both the batters are looking to see through the day here. Pat Cummins has thrown the ball to Nathan Lyon. Will be interesting to see how long before he brings in Todd Murphy who picked up seven wickets in the first game. Australia still looking to get the opening breakthrough. Kuhnemann has been superb in his opening spell so far. (India 13/0 after 6.2 overs)
Mathew Kuhnemann starts well here on his debut. Pat Cummins at the other end is bowling well as well. This has been a good start for the Aussie bowler with the new ball. Rahul and Rohit would love to end the day with not out next to their names. Aussie skipper Pat Cummins on the other hand will sleep well if he can pick up a couple of wickets before the end of the day. (India 13/0 after 4 overs)
Pat Cummins started well unlike in Nagpur where he gave away 14 runs in the first over. He bowled good lines and lengths both Rohit and Rahul were up to the task in the over. Kuhnemann is taking the new ball from the other end. With two right-handers in the middle, it is a good move by skipper Cummins. Will be interesting to see what the left-arm spinner can offer here. (India 5/0 after 1.2 overs)
Mohammad Shami picks up the final wicket of Kuhnemann. Handscomb remains unbeaten on 72. Apart from Shami Ashwin and Jadeja have picked three wickets each. Australia will be happy as they have put on a decent total given how the pitch is playing. India on the other hand needs to see out the remaining few overs of the day without losing any wickets come in the morning tomorrow again and take it from there. Nevertheless brilliant fightback by the Aussies after getting thrashed in the first test.
Ravindra Jadeja picks up Handscomb however, the umpire has given it as a no-ball. Jadeja has bowled plenty of no-balls in Nagpur. He bowled another one here again. Indian openers walked into the dressing room but had to come back after seeing the no-ball on the big screen. Australia survives to fight another day. Handscomb is now in his 70s. He will be eying to score a ton. (Australia are 262 for 9 in 78.1 overs)
Peter Handscomb seems to have faith in Kuhnemann's batting ability. The number 11 batter averages 17 in the first class cricket in Australia. Handscomb seems to trust the defensive abilities of Kuhnemann. Australia continues to offer some resistance for the final wicket. They have shown a lot of courage and character today. This may take them a long way in the Test match. (Australia are 255 for 9 in 77.3 overs)
Nathan Lyon gets bowled by Mohammad Shami. Handscomb surely needs to protect Khunemman as he is making his Test debut and is the final batter. Shami still has three balls in the over to clean the Aussies out. However, if this over passes by Handscomb may look to dominate the strike and get into T20 mode and score some quick runs. (Australia are 246 for 9 in 74.2 overs)
Nathan Lyon is looking good with the bat. He scored a couple of sumptuous boundaries of Shami. Australia has found a way to come back in this game every time India picked wickets in clusters. Rohit looks to be scratching his head again. The pitch played well today. Australia would be looking to reach 270 runs and take it from there. India on the other hand can't afford another substantial partnership here. Australia has given itself a fighting chance. (Australia are 245 for 8 in 72 overs)
Handscomb continues on his way. He has been the most impressive on this surface so far. The other Australian batter can take a leaf out of his batting book on how to tackle Indian spinners. He at the moment is not afraid of giving a strike to Lyon however, would be interesting to see how long that is sustainable. Handscomb has shown no signs of aggression either he is continuing to bat normally. (Australia are 235 for 8 in 72 overs)
After a couple of wickets in one over Jadeja is now looking back into his rhythm. He is getting to turn the ball. Lyon needs to support Peter Handscomb for a bit longer. Australia will be hoping to get to 250 runs at least. India on the other hand will be looking to finish this inning off as quickly as possible. Axar Patel bowling from the other end hasn't looked threatening at all. (Australia are 234 for 8 in 71 overs)
Ravindra Jadeja picks two wickets in one over. This has been a brilliant turnaround by the Indians out of nowhere. However, as expected one wicket has brought two and India would be hoping to pick another one. Peter Handscomb on the other end needs to get in T20 mode and score some quick runs. (Australia are 227 for 8 in 68 overs)
Ravindra Jadeja picks up Australian skipper Pat Cummins. Cummins played a brilliant hand here. Just when India was looking to run through the batting line after picking Carey. Cummins came in and delivered a few punches back. Jadeja would be elated as he did not have his best game with the ball so far he has been a tad bit expensive bowling a few loose ones here and there. India would be looking to finish this inning quickly. (Australia are 227 for 7 in 67.2 overs)
Pat Cummins taps a ball into the legside and gets three runs. Pujara gave the ball chase and saved a run else the ball looked like it was going for a boundary. Virat Kohli is bringing the crowd into the game. This has been an impressive crowd on day one of this Test match. The crowd senses the tension between the sides and is getting into the act. (Australia are 227 for 6 in 67.1 overs)
50 for Peter Handscomb. This is high-class innings by the right-hander. His defence looked impenetrable he was confident with his method to handle the spinners. He rotated the strike nicely and played a few sumptuous boundaries in the midst of that rotation. Australia would be hoping for him to make this score into three digits. Pat Cummins on the other end has quietly moved into his 30s now. (Australia are 220 for 6 in 64.4 overs)
The partnership between Handscomb and Cummins has reached the 50 -mark. This has been a crucial partnership again for the Aussies. However, as we have seen throughout the day one wicket brings two and two brings three. Hands comb's innings today will be a flag bearer for the Aussie batters on how to bat on these surfaces that is trust your defence and have a good solid plan and stick to it. (Australia are 214 for 6 in 63.3 overs)
Indian bowlers are piling on the pressure by bowling a few quiet overs. The ball seems to have lost a bit of shine and the pitch looks like settled a bit. This seems to be a wicket where the spinners might be looking to ball with a relatively newer ball than the one which is over 60 overs. With 19 overs left for the second new ball India will be looking to keep it simple by not giving loose balls and hope from the mistakes of the Aussie batters. (Australia are 202 for 6 in 61.2 overs)
Handscomb seems to be a bit troubled by Axar Patel. Axar has varied his pace nicely. A few balls were keeping low a few bounced too much. Handscomb struggled to pick the line and Lenght. This is the first time in the entire innings Handscomb looked uncomfortable. Axar with the ball has been quiet in the series so far this might be a good opportunity for him to pick a few wickets. (Australia are 199 for 6 in 59.2 overs)
Rohit has decided to go with a spin and seam combination after the tea hoping to pick a few quick wickets. This will be interesting to see how Rohit as captain operates. This is probably the first time as Test captain he is being put under a bit of pressure. On the other hand, Handscomb has been sensational justifying his selection. His technique has been solid and his plan to handle spinners bore fruits so far. Cummins at the other end would be looking to hit a few more hefty blows and score some quick runs. (Australia are 199 for 6 in 58 overs)
We are back with live updates for the final session. Australia will be hoping Cummins and Handscomb can prolong their partnership for a bit longer. India on the other hand, would be hoping to finish off the Aussie tail. This has been absorbing cricket so far in the day. Day 1 of the first Test may have disappointed a bit however, this one is delivering. If Australia can bat for a few more overs and put India to bat late in the evening that may be a very tricky start for the Indian openers. (Australia are 199 for 6 in 56 overs)
Australia has fought back well in this session. Despite losing wickets they picked up 108 runs in the session. Peter Handscomb is looking solid in defence. Pat Cummins at the other end is looking to hit a few boundaries he made 23 runs. The partnership is moved to 31 very quickly. Rohit will be really concerned with Australia's score and the rate at which these runs are coming. Looks like Australia is looking to put up a proper show for this second Test reminding everyone why they are the number one team in the world.(Australia are 199 for 6 in 56 overs)
Mohammad Siraj has been brought back into the attack by skipper Rohit Sharma. A good tactical move by Rohit to change things a bit before the tea break. One good thing Australia have done today despite losing a wicket they kept scoring runs quickly. Their total has reached almost 200 runs with four wickets in hand. Rohit will be starting to get concerned now with the total as India have to bat last on this surface. (Australia are 190 for 6 in 54.3overs)
Cummins has decided to counterattack. He is going after India's premium off-spinner Ravi Ashwin. He cleared the boundary twice in two overs. This is going to be interesting what Ashwin would come up with against this assault for Cummins. Cummins is known to hit some of the high profiles bowlers for a few runs in the past. India needs to be extremely careful as the game can move away very quickly from them here. (Australia are 188 for 6 in 52.4 overs)
Ravi Ashwin bowls an eventful over eight runs came of out. Pat Cummins smashed one for mamoth six over the cover corner. He defends one with a soft hand and takes a quick single. Handscomb was in a lot of trouble as he was going to the striker's end. However, Shami's throw was not good enough. Then Ashwin beats the outside edge of Handscomb with a beauty that Hayden on AIR called "Natural Variation" (Australia are 180 for 6 in 51.4 overs)
This session more or less follows a similar pattern to the first. A wicket early on a partnership and then followed by a few quick wickets. In this kind of pitch, one wicket brings two and two brings three. Australian skipper Pat Cummins needs to play a captain's knock by supporting Handscomb. Australia should be looking to score around 220-230 to give themselves a chance to win in this game. (Australia are 172 for 6 in 47 overs)
Wicket-keeper batter Alex Carey goes for a duck. Indians are now all over Australia again like a rash after the brilliant partnership between Handscomb and Khawaja. Ashwin picks up his 100th Test match wicket against Australia. Pat Cummins has walked into the middle he would be looking to provide some support to Handscomb who has been batting beautifully. India on the other hand would be looking to run through the tail. (Australia are 167 for 6 in 47 overs)
Khawaja goes for a well-played 81 courtesy of a brilliant catch by Rahul. Khawaja trying to reverse sweep gets caught at the point by KL Rahul. Khawaja was looking good for a ton. He looked disappointed after the dismissal. Jadeja gets his 250th Test match wicket with that. (Australia are 167 for 5 in 45.5 overs)
Srikar Bharath has been exceptional behind the stumps with his keeping. The odd ball has kept low and the odd one has bounced too much. His keeping seems to be technically perfect, unlike Rishabh Pant who had to work on it. Bharath's catch of Steve Smith where he went low was a brilliant one. If the right-hander can score a few runs he can make his place permanent as the backup keeper by the time Pant comes back. (Australia are 167 for 4 in 45.4 overs)
After a long spell on either side of the lunch break, Ashwin was given a break. However, Rohit realises the value wicket here hence he brought back Ashwin into the attack. Jadeja and Axar haven't looked threatening on this surface. Handscomb is looking solid with his defence the partnership between him and Khawaja has now reached the 50-mark this is good batting by the Aussies they have made all the adjustments needed from their poor batting performance in Nagpur. (Australia are 160 for 4 in 42.4 overs)
This has been Australia's hour so far. Apart from the wicket of Head early in the session courtesy of Shami's brilliant bowling for the most part Handscomb and Khawaja looked untroubled by the Indian bowling. The wicket is turning a bit however, Dinesh Karthik on AIR reckons that the ball is turning way outside the stumps which won't cause any trouble to the Aussie batters. Rohit and his men will take a breather and hope that the break will break the partnership. (Australia are 155 for 4 in 42 overs)
Usman Khawaja and Peter Handscomb are looking good. Their defence seems to be solid against the Indian spin. Australia will be hoping for this partnership to go till the tea break. Rohit on the other hand is aware of the first innings runs on this turning Delhi wicket and is trying to mix and match his bowling combinations trying to pick a wicket. (Australia are 149 for 4 in 41 overs)
Usman Khawaja hits tow boundaries off Ravindra Jadeja's bowling. First one, Khawaja plays the reverse sweep and gets a top edge that flies away over the deep point region as the ball races away to the fence for a boundary. Then he paddles it away fine through the fine leg region as the ball goes along the ground for a boundary. (Australia are 144 for 4 in 39 overs)
Short and wide, Handscomb rocks back and cuts it away through the point region square of the wicket as the ball goes along the carpet for a boundary. (Australia are 129 for 4 in 37 overs)
Couple of delightful shits from Peter Handscomb. First was a square drive trhough the vacant backward point region. Then a crunching cover drive. (Australia are 120 for 4 in 34.4 overs)
Just as Mark Waugh and Ravi Shastri were saying th8is would be the last over from Mohammad Shami before spin starts from both ends, Shami takes out Travis Head. It was a length delivery around off stump, and Head went for an on-the-up shot that one would play on Australian tracks of true bounce. He went too hard with it here, and edged. Lovely catch by KL Rahul at second slip. Unlike what was predicted, there has been bounce on this track. And it has to be said it got a touch big on Head. (Australia are 110 for 4 in 33 overs)
Shami removes Travis headGood length angling across outside off, Head plays away from the body and gets the edge to the second slip fielder. KL Rahul takes a sharp catch there as Shami strikes at an important time for India. Head goes for 12. (Australia are 109 for 4 in 31.2 overs)
Hold that pose Head: Good use of the feet and smokes right above Ashiwn's head for a maximum. Australia have scored quickly which has been great. But they'll need to add some volume to their total too. Head can do that. (Australia are 107 for 3 in 30.5 overs)
Mark Waugh isn't too happy about long-off for Khawaja for Ashwin. Perhaps, though, it's not that defensive move as he is making it out to be. But to encourage Khawaja to play that drive somewhat against the turn for an "easy" single. And then try and see if an edge comes. So, more than for lofted hits, it's more to induce a drive. May be. (Sriram Veera)
(Australia are 101 for 3 in 29 overs)
The single down the square leg brings the 100 for Australia in 27.2 overs.
Back of the length delivery wide outside the off. Angled away with room on the offering. Head late cuts at it and the ball scurries towards the ropes in no time. Slapped at the face of the ball. Five came from Siraj's over. (Australia are 99 for 3 in 26 overs)
Siraj to start the second session. He will start with three slips. Travis Head is on strike. Here we go again folks.
Exciting first session at Delhi. There were plenty of boundaries but India fought back right at the fag end of the session as R Ashwin removed Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith in quick succession have jolted the Australians. Usman Khawaja brings up the first 50 by an Australian batter this series. Stay tuned for more updates post the Lunch session. (Australia are 91 for 3 at Lunch)
Khawaja goes on the backfoot, looks to turn across the line. Back of a length from Jadeja, skids through to hit the pad. Khawaja was squared up to clip across and went for the review this time. The original decision was Out. No bat involved on Ultraedge. Pitched outside the leg stump and Khawaja is saved. This was really very very close. A successful review for Australia. (Australia are 92/4 after 24 overs)
Another one bites the dust. A big big wicket for India and Ashwin. Smith departs without troubling the scorers. Beauty from Ashwin to take out Steve Smith. Watch the replay closely: the release. Never mind the seam position but how his fingers curve it out, away from Smith. He can't see all that in the middle of course. Lunges forward to defend. Edge and gone! (Australia are 91/3 after 23 overs)
Ashwin strikes for India. Marnus Labuschange is gone for 22. The Aussies in the dressing room watch the telly. Smith is ready to come in already, stands up, has a chat, and awaits. And he is right. Marnus is indeed out lbw. it was the off break from round the stumps on the off stump line. Nails him in front of off stump line. And DRS (the umpire had given it not out) shows he is out. Smith has picked up the helmet as well. Boy does he want to get out there or what!
Usman Khawaja has been unfurling the reverse sweeps in a flurry. First, to R Ashwin and now one against Ravindra Jadeja. Hasn’t missed much. He has played the conventional sweep too - a spanking four off Ashwin. In the interim, Marnus charged out to deposit Ashwin to long-off boundary. Good contest on now, post Warner’s exit. Seeing the ball spin generously, the Australians are trying to counterattack. The spin is a touch slow, and they are able to nail it so far. Marnus gets beaten on the cut from Jadeja, who has extracted some bounce in his first over. And Marnus then cracks a sweep shot to pick up another boundary. Very good this from Oz. Intent and a plan. (Australia are 86/1 after 20 overs)
Jadeja comes into the attack. Fuller on the stumps, Usman gets stuck on the pads. The appeal is turned down. Jadeja convinces his skipper to go upstairs. The height was the question here. Fair delivery. There is no bat involved and it is missing the wickets. (Australia are 77/1 after 19.1 overs)
Ashwin comes round the wicket to Marnus and he just dispatches it over the mid-wicket for a boundary. Nine runs came from Ashwin's over. (Australia are 77/1 after 19 overs)
Marnus was leaving the crease on the non-striker's end and Ashwin stopped half-way through.
He just about managed to survive the pacers’ opening spells with stabs. Siraj harassed him with his bouncers at the body, the elbow bled, the helmet grill clanged. Shami came for his second spell and picked up the bouncer weapon before doing him with the old trick. The ball that angles out from round the stumps, too good for Warner. (Read More)
SHOT! Lovely stroke from Marnus Labuschange. Shami pitches it up and Marnus drives it handsomely through the covers as the ball races away to the cover fence with a boundary. (Australia are 64/1 after 17.4 overs)
Khawaja reverse sweeps Ashwin. Ashwin has been on the money right away. Drift, dip and some turn on offer, and he's kept Khawaja guessing, even pushing him back in the crease. Khawaja counters by stepping out and hitting one clean over long-off for a six. Great contest between these two out there. (Australia are 60/1 after 17 overs)
And then David Warner falls. A lovely lovely ball from Shami. It came in from round the stumps, on a full length, before it tailed away late. Warner’s hands twitched. He was stuck on the back foot, out of balance, and got the nick. He tried his hardest to stay out there, but he is gone now. Enter Marnus. (Sriram Veera)
(Australia are 50/1 after 15.2 overs)
Ashwin is largely targeting the outside edge of Khawaja’s forward defensive. But now and then, comes the slider to test the inside-edge or the lbw. One went off the inner edge but Shreyas Iyer, up too early at short-leg, grassed it. There is generous spin on offer here but slow. Warner once went right back and had to wait for the ball to arrive. And a lovely smile spread on his face.
Sj. Two unconvincing stabs from David Warner. The first to fine-leg and second was better actually, swayed back to tap it past gully. Virat Kohli wants the fine-leg fielder to be finer. He gestures to Rohit Sharma. Shami bouncer is a good idea. He will land it on the seam and get it to skid up, as opposed to Sriaj. (Srira, Veera)