Australia hoped to take their scorecard 500 par on day 2 but some fantastic bowling by left-arm-orthodox Ravindra Jadeja has completely shattered their dream. Steve Smith remained unbeaten on 178* (361b, 4s x 17) at the end of Australia’s first innings, but wickets kept falling from the other end. He stuck to the ground for 412 minutes without offering any dismissing opportunity to the hosts.
Brilliant effort with the ball in hand from Ravindra Jadeja
Glenn Maxwell, who was unbeaten last evening, eventually got his ton in 180 balls with 9 boundaries and 2 sixes. His innings was good consisting of spectacular shots across the ground. If Maxwell keeps performing like this in the next one or two tests, then he will get a golden chance to cement his place in the Aussie’s test squad. It was Maxwell’s maiden test hundred, and his patience proved that he has improved himself a lot as a cricketer.
The beauty of the India’s bowling was Ravindra Jadeja’s wicket taking deliveries on and off. He almost single handedly dismantled the Aussie’s lower middle order and tailenders chipping in five crucial wickets and managing a run-out out of the Aussie’s first innings. Jadeja (49.3-8-124-5) was the most successful on day 2. With this, Jadeja has now got his 8th five-for in test matches.
If Jadeja didn’t grab the wicket of Maxwell caught behind by Saha, Australia could have taken their score above 500. However, unperturbed Steven Smith entered into the record book for being only the third visiting captain after Clive Lloyd and Alastair Cook to achieve the feat.
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In a reply to Australia’s mammoth 451, Indian openers Lokesh Rahul and Murali Vijay started off the innings carefully. Rahul was particularly impressive with his shots on the off side region. He hit a fine knock of 67 (102b, 4s x 9) before Pat Cummins got him caught behind by Wade. Lokesh Rahul has been in sublime form in the entire Border-Gavaskar trophy hitting three half centuries in four innings he played so far.
Pat Cummins bowled brilliantly throughout the day. His spell (10-1-22-1) showed how team India had to struggle to get runs off his fiery bowling. After the breakthrough from Pat Cummins, India lost their first wicket for 91. Then Chateshwar Pujara (10*) and Murali Vijay (42*) negotiated the next 50 balls carefully without losing any further wicket towards the end of day’s play.
At stumps, India were 120 for 1 still trailing Australia’s first innings score by 331 runs. Latest media report confirmed that Virat Kohli might not be able to bat at this test due to his shoulder injury. Official confirmation and further updates on this issue is to follow soon.
Brief Scorecard:
Australia 1st Innings: 451/ 10 (Smith 178*, Maxwell 104; Jadeja 5/124)
India 1st Innings: 120/1 (Rahul 67, Vijay 42*)
Tags: 3rd Test, Australia, India, JSCA International Stadium Complex, KL Rahul, M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Preview, Ranchi, Steve Smith, Test Match, Virat Kohli
