Published: Mar 05, 2017, 04:35 PM (IST)
Edited: Mar 05, 2017, 06:25 PM (IST)
Australia ended Day Two of the second Test at 237 for 6, taking a lead of 48 runs thanks to Matt Renshaw and Shaun Marsh’s half-centuries amidst India‘s disciplined bowling display. The visitors started Day Two at 40 for no loss. Openers David Warner and Renshaw had played the last session of opening day with ease and comfort. The stage was all set for them to notch up a big partnership, just like they did in the first Test. With only 149 runs needed to take a lead, Australia had enough time to put the opposition in a spot of bother. India, on the other hand, needed a flurry of wickets to at least stay on course if not ahead. FULL CRICKET SCORECARD: India vs Australia, 2nd Test at Bengaluru
Ravichandran Ashwin provided exactly the same. He used the footmarks created by Mitchell Starc and knocked over David Warner with an absolute jaffa. Pitching outside leg, the ball went on to uproot the off stump. Virat Kohli, standing at first-slip, would have given a run for money to Imran Tahir given the way he celebrated Australia’s first wicket.
Ishant Sharma bowled a gruelling spell against Renshaw and his captain Steven Smith. A few stayed low. A few took off the surface. A few moved created late movement. Ishant even mimicked Smith, leaving Kohli in laughter. Full cricket updates: India vs Australia, 2nd Test, Day 2
Despite Australia being in the driver’s seat, India toiled to keep them at bay. Smith, playing over 50 deliveries, could not score a single boundary in his 8-run knock. 20 minutes in to the lunch, and Ravindra Jadeja got Smith caught at forward short-leg.
Meanwhile, Renshaw scored his second fifty of the series off 183 deliveries. If truth be told, he had his share of luck. Four boundaries of his came off the outside edges and all off Umesh Yadav.
On the other hand, Jadeja bowled only 5 overs out of India’s first 62, that is, 1 in the last session of opening day and 4 in the morning session of Day Two. Nonetheless, better late than never. He right away dismissed Renshaw and Peter Handscomb in quick succession.
To add Australia to further trouble, Ishant trapped Mitchell Marsh lbw just the over before tea. The scorecard read 163 for 5.
The last session saw Shaun Marsh reach his sixth half-century. However, Umesh soon made the set batsman his first scalp, getting him caught at mid-wicket. At the crease are Matthew Wade and Mitchell Starc.
Brief scores:
India 189 (KL Rahul 90, Karun Nair 26; Nathan Lyon 8 for 50) trail Australia 237 for 6 (Matt Renshaw 60, Mitchell Marsh 66; R Ashwin 1 for 75 Ravindra Jadeja 3 for 49) by 48 runs.
