India vs Australia 2014-15, 2nd Test at Brisbane Day 1: Rahane, Rohit take India to 311/4

Catch Live updates of the first day of the second Test between Australia and India at Brisbane.

Murali Vijay smashed his fifth Test century © Getty Images

Dec 17, 2014

Catch the Live Scorecard and ball-by-ball commentary of the second Test between India and Australia

(Can a spirited India level the series under MS Dhoni, or will Steven Smith win the first Test of his career as captain to make it 2-0 for Australia in the series? Catch live cricket scores of the match here)

Hello and welcome to CricketCountry’s coverage of the first day of the second Test between India and Australia at the Gabba in Brisbane. I am Devarchit Varma, and I will be bringing you the live updates from this match.

Both teams will have a different set of captains for the second Test as compared to the first Test at the Adelaide Oval. The Gabba is unlikely to produce as many runs. In recent years, the Brisbane ground has been known to aid the pace bowlers, though if a batsman is good enough to come to terms with the extra bounce, there are runs to be scored as well. Australia will dearly miss the services of Michael Clarke, who averages 103 at The Gabba after 10 matches. India will once again look to Kohli to score the bulk of the runs, though with Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Ajinkya Rahane all showing some form the signs are encouraging for India, especially since skipper MS Dhoni is likely to be fit for the match.

Steven Smith will be captaining Australia in this Test match, and till the time Michael Clarke is fit and back to the grill of Test cricket. Till then, it will be the young 25-year-old Smith, who is Australia’s third youngest captain in their history after Ian Craig and Kim Hughes. Ahead of the match, former captain Mark Taylor presented Smith the captain’s jacket.

Australia have not lost a Test at The Gabba since the West Indies trumped them back in 1988, and if India are to get back into this series, they will have to play out of their skins.

There are reports suggesting Umesh Yadav will come in for Mohammed Shami in the Indian playing XI. For Australia, Josh Hazlewood will be making his Test debut and he gets his Baggy Green from Glenn McGrath ahead of the day’s play.

Josh Hazlewood with his family after being presented Baggy Green Cap 440 #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/YDmcRpdKcA

— Aust Cricketers Assn (@ACA_Players) December 17, 2014

Three Mitches in one team should make for some interesting on field conversation. #mitchcubed #AUSvIND

— Gautam Bhimani (@gbhimani) December 17, 2014

TOSS: India opt to bat against Australia.Three changes for India — Umesh Yadav in for Mohammed Shami, Mahendra Singh Dhoni in for Wriddhiman Saha and Ravichandran Ashwin comes in for Karn Sharma.

Had the honour of presenting Josh Hazelwood with his Baggy Green this morning, no. 440 Test cricketer for Australia #AUSvIND

— Glenn McGrath (@glennmcgrath11) December 17, 2014

A minute of silence for the victims of the #SydneySiege. #AUSvIND #WWOS pic.twitter.com/HQDz0skfbr

— Wide World of Sports (@WWOS9) December 16, 2014

TEAMS:

Australia: David Warner, Chris Rogers, Steven Smith (c), Shane Watson, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Brad Haddin (wk), Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood.

India: Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni (c&wk), Ishant Sharma, Varun Aaron, Ravichandran Ashwin, Umesh Yadav.

Former Aussie batsman Damien Martyn feels India have made the right call by electing to bat first. Right call or a wrong one, it will actually depend on how India go about their job on the first day with the bat. They will certainly need immense application and lot of courage.

Steve Smith’s first ever coin toss as Australia’s Test captain. http://t.co/eCsMWvhCge #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/GKx63durkd

— FOX SPORTS Cricket (@FOXCricketLive) December 16, 2014

Mitchell Johnson comes steaming in for the first over of the game and there are signs of good amount of bounce available on the wicket. One run scored through a single on the leg side by Murali Vijay.

Troubles early on for Shikhar Dhawan as he is beaten twice in the fourth over by the debutant Josh Hazlewood. Vijay, on the other hand is looking positive and is tackling Johnson quite well.

Mitchell Johnson has been taken off the attack after a short spell of three overs, and Mitchell Starc has replaced him. Positive start by India so far, without much troubles. Dhawan looking a little comfortable now, leaving the balls well.

Good, positive start by India so far. Australia are using the tactics of giving very short spells to their bowlers. So far four bowlers have had a go — Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Marsh. Dhawan and Vijay batting with lot of comfort at the moment.

Vijay and Dhawan have done something extraordinary here! They have put up a 50-run unbeaten stand, which is first for India in Test cricket since the 63-run partnership between Abhinav Mukund and Gautam Gambhir back in the Lord’s Test during that horrifying tour of 2011. Dhawan raises the 50-run stand with a four off Mitchell Johnson.

OUT! India have lost their first wicket as Mitchell Marsh earns his first scalp in Test cricket. Shikhar Dhawan’s poor run continues as he falls after yet another strong stand, failing to get a big one. The ball was outside off, and Dhawan was perhaps beaten by the bounce there.

OUT! S Dhawan c Haddin b M Marsh 24 (39)

Cheteshwar Pujara cracks a four off Mitchell Johnson through a cover drive as India continue to dominate in this session. Vijay is looking very comfortable in the middle.

Bat 1st at Gabba logical,now making most of it wud b more apt!Sum1 has 2 tell SDhawan Tests r slightly diff frm wretched IPL..Gudluck India!

— Bishan Bedi (@BishanBedi) December 17, 2014

Some rock solid defence by both Murali Vijay and Cheteshwar Pujara. About 15 minutes more left for the end of the first session, and India would hope that they end it with only one wicket down. Vijay continues to flourish — this time a cracking four over covers.

India will certainly be chuffed up with the way this session has panned out for them. Murali Vijay has played extremely well so far, and so did Shikhar Dhawan till the time the lapse in concentration came in. On the other hand, Australia seem to be trying out new things — only three overs for frontline pacer Mitchell Starc.

Fine session for India as they won it with good batting and having lost only one wicket. Australia and their new captain might be wondering why their bowlers did not thrive as much as they were expected to on this bouncy track at The Gabba. Here’s Shiamak Unwalla’s innings report.

Murali Vijay is in some form! Here he gets his third half-century of the tour with a fine stroke to the boundary. India cruising at the moment.

Mitchell Marsh is back in the pavilion after delivering the final ball of the 28th over in the innings. He looked in discomfort in his follow-through.

India off to a very good start.

— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) December 17, 2014

Positive start from India as they bring up their 100 runs in the 31st over of the day. Mitchell Marsh has gone back to the pavilion as he looked in some discomfort in the middle after delivering the final ball of the 28th over.

Despite the string of errors in the last Test, the umpires don’t seem to have learned from their mistakes. Josh Hazlewood may not consider this as his first Test wicket — he bangs one short, which deflects after hitting Cheteshwar Pujara’s helmet grill and the wicketkeeper takes an easy catch. Virat Kohli walks in.

OUT! C Pujara c Haddin b Hazlewood 18 (64)

Not a great decision that one.

— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) December 17, 2014

Virat Kohli has started off on a positive note, and Murali Vijay is looking rock solid with his defence and shot selection… Still can’t get over the way Pujara got out.

Vijay has left the ball really well in Adelaide and so far in this Test. Think we need to make him play a little more early in his innings.

— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) December 17, 2014

JUST IN: Mitchell Starc is in distress in the heat out there. He was being attended by Australia team doctor Peter Brukner, and has walked off the field after the drinks break.

Who says cricket and cooking don’t go together? 😉 @yvonnesampson #AUSvIND #WWOS pic.twitter.com/0zWsiJby2y — Wide World of Sports (@WWOS9) December 17, 2014

Virat Kohli was looking good in the middle but Josh Hazlewood has removed him after a brief stay, right after the drinks break.

OUT! V Kohli c Haddin b Hazlewood 13 (21)

Australia are trying their level best to maintain pressure on India after the wickets of Pujara and Kohli, even though they have lost two bowlers as of yet. Ajinkya Rahane is looking slight shaky, Hazlewood troubled him a lot early on.

Nervous moment for Murali Vijay who ended up giving a chance to Nathan Lyon in the final over. India take tea at 151 for three, but they would be ruing after giving away Australia some advantage. They lost two wickets in the session and scored only 62 runs in it.

Tea at The Gabba, Brisbane on Day One. I’d say a mixed session with Australia still finding no way to get rid of Murali Vijay. Here is the report for second session. We are back after tea and it is Josh Hazlewood who is down, suffering a cramp. India 159/3.

Finally! A century for Murali Vijay, who gets to the three-figure mark with two fours off Shane Watson. He has been absolutely brilliant today, leaving the balls as he always does and scoring off the ones he is very comfortable with. Test century No. 5 for the right-handed India opener.

Congrats M Vijay, very good 100 — Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) December 17, 2014

Congrats vijay for scoring a splendid 100. Keep it up.Continue to stay focus and get a big one. The team requires it. #AUSvIND

— VVS Laxman (@VVSLaxman281) December 17, 2014

Murali vijay continues to score big as he gets a four of Nathan Lyon, who has been somewhat uneffective today. India go past the 200-run mark in the 60th over and also pick up the scoring rate.

Players from both the sides are struggling in the heat at the moment, but it’s good for India that both their batsmen are concentrating hard on the job that’s to be done.

Fine effort by Murali Vijay and Ajinkya Rahane as they bring up their 100-run stand for the fourth wicket. Rahane started off on a shaky note, but has improvised to reach 40 not out.

Eventful over for India as Murali Vijay completes 2,000 runs in Test cricket, and Ajinkya Rahane brings up his sixth half-century in the format. India in command of this session so far.

A fine innings comes to an end as Murali Vijay is caught by Brad Haddin off Nathan Lyon, who makes his presence felt in the first time in the day. Vijay departs after a sublime 144 of 213 balls and 22 boundaries. Vijay added 124 runs for the fourth wicket.

OUT! M Vijay c Haddin b Lyon 133 (213)

Rohit Sharma is in at the crease and he announces arrival with a huge six and a sweep shot for four off Nathan Lyon. India would be aiming to end this day without anymore damage and taking their score past the 300-run mark. Australia will get a new ball after three overs. David Warner to bowl now!

NEW BALL HAS BEEN TAKEN.

Australia have taken the second new ball but it is India who are making most of the opportunity. They have brought up their 300 runs on the first day and this effort will give them immense confidence going ahead into the match and the series.

India’s day at The Gabba. For sure. Murali Vijay gridned them down and the weather played it’s part on the hosts as well. Almost all bowlers were struggling today. Ajinkya Rahane and Shikhar Dhawan started off on rusty note, but it was the former who made it count. India will push for a first innings score of 450. Let’s see, how things go tomorrow.

Fantastic effort by Murali Vijay and Ajinkya Rahane, as their efforts have put India on top after Day One. With 311/4 on board, India will fancy a total in excess of 450. Here’s Shiamak Unwalla’s report of the opening day.

SQUADS:

Australia (Playing XI): David Warner, Chris Rogers, Steven Smith (c), Shane Watson, Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Brad Haddin (wk), Nathan Lyon, Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood.

India: MS Dhoni (c&wk), Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, Ishant Sharma, Varun Aaron, Ravichandran Ashwin, Umesh Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, Dhawal Kulkarni, Lokesh Rahul, Suresh Raina.