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India vs Australia 2014-15, 2nd Test at Brisbane: Highlights

Murali Vijay continued his good show in the ongoing tour of Down Under with a classy 144 in the first innings.

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Chris Rogers’ knock in the second innings proved to be critical © Getty Images

Australia took a 2-0 lead in the ongoing Border-Gavaskar trophy with a four-wicket victory against India at Brisbane. Sandipan Banerjee takes a look at the highlights of the second Test.

1. Murali Vijay’s stylish 144:  Murali Vijay continued his good show in the ongoing tour of Down Under with a classy 144 in the first innings. Thanks to his elegant batting, India had finished Day One of the second Test with a healthy 311 for four at Stumps. Vijay is currently the leading run scorer (323) for India in this series and spent more than six and half hours at the crease on Wednesday and was played an instrumental role for India’s dominance on Day One.

2. Josh Hazlewood’s dream debut: Josh Hazlewood was included in the playing eleven for Ryan Harris. Who would have thought that he will be Australia’s trump-card at The Gabba? Hazlewood finished with five for 68 and two for 74, earning his wickets through his impeccable line and length.

3. Virat Kohli’s twin failure: After the twin hundreds at Adelaide, much was expected from Virat Kohli. His form has been one of the most significant criteria for India’s success. In the first innings he was out, caught behind, trying to cut a ball which was too close to his body. His second innings dismissal hurt India more, as at that time match was in crucial phase. He came to bat in place of Shikhar Dhawan, looked look tentative against Shane Watson and eventually played on to a Mitchell Johnson delivery. That was probably the turning point of the game.

4. Steven Smith’s hundred on captaincy debut: Steven Smith had a dream start to his captaincy career with an inspiring victory for the Aussies. As a batsman, too, he was the lone centurion for Australia. While batting in the first innings Australia were under pressure when Smith came to crease. But when he left after scoring a captain’s knock of 133 in 191 ball, his team had taken the lead. In second innings, too, also Smith scored a crucial 28 not out.

5. Mitchell Johnson‘s all-round show: Johnson had a rough game at Adelaide Oval. He was criticised for his poor show and lack of intention. But what a comeback he has made at Brisbane! He saved his team with bat in Australia’s first innings. His counter-attacking 88 and a crucial 148-run partnership with his skipper helped his team to reach a position of solidity. Then he bowled a few fiery spell on the fourth morning, sealing the Test for Australia.

6. Indian collapse: India faced another batting collapse on Saturday morning — reminiscent of the ones in England earlier this year — that took the game away from them. They started the day at 71 for one and within seven overs, they were tottering at 87 for five.

7. Australia’s wobble in second innings: While chasing 128 to win in the fourth innings, Australia almost committed hara-kiri, especially against Ishant Sharma’s short-pitched bowling. They eventually achieved the target with six wickets down.

8. Chris Rogers’ match-winning 55: Rogers was not in good form coming to this Test, but his twin 55s saved his team (and for the time being, his own career). The second 55 was especially a remarkable counterattacking innings.

(Sandipan Banerjee is a reporter at CricketCountry. Cricket has been the biggest passion for him since his childhood. So, when it came to choosing his career, he chose to turn his passion into his profession. Apart from cricket he likes mountain trekking, river rafting and photography. His twitter handle is @im_sandipan)

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