IND VS AUS Day 2, 1st Test Highlights: Jadeja, Axar fifties help India near 150-run lead at stumps on Day 2
India Vs Australia Day 2, 1st Test Highlights: A lot is at stake for the Men in Blue, as a spot in the final of the World Test Championship hangs in the balance.
India dominated the opening Test of a four-match series against Australia in Nagpur on Thursday, led by Ravindra Jadeja, R Ashwin, and Rohit Sharma. Australia is under pressure to break a losing streak of three straight series against the Indians on their first Test tour of India in seven years. However, the visitors would be disappointed with their poor start.
As India raced out to a commanding position in the first Test at the Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Ravindra Jadeja (5 for 47) and R Ashwin (3 for 42) were the wreckers-in-chief against Australia. Rohit Sharma led a strong Indian reaction with the bat after the Indian spin duo knocked Australia out for 177.
India were 77 for 1 at stumps on Day 1 and trailed Australia by 100 runs. In the penultimate over of the day's play, debutant Todd Murphy caught KL Rahul, who lacked fluency, with a straightforward return catch, giving Australia something to rejoice about. Rahul took his time getting started, but as he settled into his innings, a lack of concentration cost him his wicket.
After reaching a free-flowing fifty, Rohit Sharma stayed unbeaten on 56 and was joined by R Ashwin, who was called in as a nightwatchman after Rahul departed.
The Australians had expected the pitch to turn early and had trained hard to deal with spin, but none of their dismissals on the first day hinted that there were any true demons on the surface.
India will look to build on their strong position in the Test on Friday, while the Aussies will be aiming for early breakthroughs.
Check Highlights from India vs Australia 1st Test, Day 2 here:
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India Vs Australia Day 2, 1st Test Highlights: A lot is at stake for the Men in Blue, as a spot in the final of the World Test Championship hangs in the balance.
IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 2 Live score:
That's all we have for you from today's thrilling cricket action from Nagpur. India will look to build on their strong position in the Test on Saturday, while the Aussies will be aiming for quick wickets. An exciting Day 3 awaits us, so we'll be back with all the latest updates from Saturday. Until then, goodbye!
IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 2 Live score: Stumps on Day 2
India began strongly, experienced a few hiccups along the way, but ultimately finished the day with a commanding lead of 144. Australia's progress was stymied after Jadeja and Axar put on an impressive, unbeaten 81-run partnership, leaving the Aussies in a difficult position.
India 321/7 (114)
Axar Patel 52(102)
Ravindra Jadeja 66(170)
IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 2 Live score:
Nathan Lyon strides into the attack. Labuschagne had conceded seven runs in the previous over, but Axar Patel only managed to get one run in this one. India now lead by 134 runs.
India 311/7 (108)
Axar Patel 48(80)
Ravindra Jadeja 60(156)
IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 2 Live score:
Cummins returns to the attack. Axar Patel continues to be a boundary-machine, collecting yet another four with a deftly guided shot past the slips. Five runs off the over.
India 297/7 (104)
Axar Patel 37(68)
Ravindra Jadeja 57(144)
IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 2 Live score:
Lyon resumes after a brief drinks break, and Axar Patel immediately makes his presence felt, slashing the spinner past the backward point for a boundary. With India's lead now surpassing the century mark, the pressure is beginning to mount on Australia, but Axar Patel and Ravindra Jadeja appear to be in a formidable position.
India 277/7 (98)
Axar Patel 17(48)
Ravindra Jadeja 57(130)
IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 2 Live score:
IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 2 Live score: 50 up for Jadeja!
Ravindra Jadeja slams another half-century and the iconic sword celebration is out in full force!
India 253/7 (93)
Axar Patel 4(32)
Ravindra Jadeja 50(114)
IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 2 Live score: Wicket
Todd Murphy celebrates his first five-wicket haul on Test debut as he dismissed KS Bharat! Initially, Bharat was given not out, but Australia decided to review the decision. The ball pitched around leg, struck the pad, and then crashed into the middle of the stumps.
India 242/7 (84)
Axar Patel 1(4)
Ravindra Jadeja 38(88)
Last wicket- Srikar Bharat 8(10)
IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 2 Live score: Wicket
Australia skipper Pat Cummins made the new ball sing, sending his Indian counterpart back to the pavilion with a stunning delivery that sent the off-stump into a cartwheel! Rohit was looking to defend this full delivery, but the ball nipped away, just edging past his outside edge and uprooting the stump.
India 229/6 (81)
Srikar Bharat 0(2)
Ravindra Jadeja 34(82)
Last wicket- Rohit Sharma 120(212)
IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 2 Live score: Tea Break!
Todd Murphy bowls the final over before the tea break. He delivers a masterful maiden over, much to the delight of the crowd. As the teams head to the tea break, India stands at 226/5 from 80 overs, with a lead of 49 runs.
India 226/5 (80)
Rohit Sharma 118(207)
Ravindra Jadeja 34(82)
IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 2 Live score:
Nathan Lyon returns to the attack. Rohit Sharma just managed a single off the over.
India 209/5 (73)
Rohit Sharma 108(184)
Ravindra Jadeja 27(63)
IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 2 Live score:
Scott Boland strides back into the attack. Boland delivers a half-volley in the fifth ball, and Ravindra Jadeja plays an exquisite cover drive, timing it to perfection and collecting a boundary for four runs.
India 197/5 (70)
Rohit Sharma 105(181)
Ravindra Jadeja 18(48)
Last wicket- Suryakumar Yadav 8(20)
IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 2 Live score:
Play resumes after the drinks break, with Scott Boland back in the attack. Rohit Sharma gets the ball rolling with a single, followed by five consecutive dot balls. Boland is looking to make an impact and put pressure on the batsman.
India 190/5 (68)
Rohit Sharma 104(179)
Ravindra Jadeja 12(38)
IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 2 Live score:
Skipper Rohit Sharma reaches his century in style, utilising his footwork and lofting a four over mid-off. A captain's knock, to be sure!
India 187/5 (65)
Rohit Sharma 102(175)
Ravindra Jadeja 11(24)
Last wicket- Suryakumar Yadav 8(20)
IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 2 Live score: Wicket
Todd Murphy gets Virat Kohli for 12 runs on the first delivery after lunch. Murphy goes down leg, Kohli gets a smooth nip on the bat, and Alex Carey hangs on for the catch in his second try.
India 157/4 (54)
Rohit Sharma 86(146)
Suryakumar Yadav 5(7)
Last wicket- Virat Kohli 12(26)
IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 2 Live score: Wicket
Todd Murphy continues with only a single from Rohit Sharma in the over.
India 143/3 (49)
Rohit Sharma 84(132)
Virat Kohli 5(17)
Last wicket- Cheteshwar Pujara 7(14)
IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 2 Live score: Wicket
Cheteshwar Pujara is gone. Murphy takes his third wicket as a result of a poor shot. Australia breathes a sigh of relief.
India 135/3 (45)
Rohit Sharma 81(120)
Virat Kohli 0(5)
Last wicket- Cheteshwar Pujara 7(14)
IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 2 Live score:
Cheteshwar Pujara has replaced Ashwin at number four following his dismissal for 23. Pujara hits his first boundary on the fourth ball, smashing off the backfoot through cover for a four.
India 135/2 (44)
Rohit Sharma 81(120)
Cheteshwar Pujara 7(13)
Last wicket- R Ashwin 23(62)
IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 2 Live score: Wicket
The Australian team conducted a successful review. Todd Murphy's second wicket comes as Ashwin is stranded LBW.
India 124/2 (41)
Rohit Sharma 73(109)
Cheteshwar Pujara 6(5)
Last wicket- R Ashwin 23(62)
IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 2 Live score:
Nathan Lyon continues. It's a clean over until the penultimate delivery, when Rohit Sharma catches a boundary, beating the first slip defender as the ball speeds towards the third man barrier.
India 115/1 (35)
Rohit Sharma 72(97)
R Ashwin 21(43)
IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 2 Live score:
Rohit Sharma smashed Cummins for a six over deep square leg, his second maximum of the match. Cummins' over yields seven runs. The next over is bowled by Nathan Lyon, and Ashwin joins the party, hitting his first maximum with a slog-sweep, clearing deep midwicket.
India 110/1 (33)
Rohit Sharma 68(90)
R Ashwin 21(38)
IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 2 Live score:
Cummins enters the fray. A few of deliveries at 140 kph from the Australian skipper. The first maiden of the day has come.
India 94/1 (30)
Rohit Sharma 61(86)
R Ashwin 12(24)
IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 2 Live score:
Cummins will bowl his sixth over. Ashwin gets another boundary, this time an outside edge that goes over the gully region on his way to the third-man fence for a four.
India 91/1 (28)
Rohit Sharma 60(78)
R Ashwin 10(20)
IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 2 Live score:
Nathan Lyon joins the fray. A big LBW call against Ashwin in the fourth ball of the over, but the umpire is unconcerned. It was probably a missing leg stump. In any case, the Australians decide against conducting a review. Six runs off the over as Ashwin grabs a boundary.
India 86/1 (27)
Rohit Sharma 59(77)
R Ashwin 6(15)
IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 2 Live score:
Todd Murphy will bowl the first over of the day for Australia. Rohit Sharma takes the first run of the day, driving down the track and into long-on for a single. Only one run from the over. Murphy gets off to a good start.
India 78/1 (25)
Rohit Sharma 57(71)
R Ashwin 0(9)
IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 2 Live score:
It's now time for LIVE action. Todd Murphy begins the game first for Australia. Rohit Sharma is on strike.
IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 2 Live score: Pitch report by Hayden and Agarkar
'We've seen nine out of the eleven wickets fall to spin. 65 of which were bowled by spin, so say no more. When you think about the wickets that actually were yesterday, a lot of them were actually in and around the straight - turning out of that area. Labuschagne had his method to go inside-out and stayed on-side of the ball. You see this breakup towards the left-hander batting. Axar Patel from over the wicket is going to be a nightmare. Lots of pebbles and different debris that's shattering over the top of this wicket. It's going to be spin, spin, spin and more spin. There's going to be a lot more spin on offer today but there are some runs to be had. Big day for both teams.'
IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 2 Live score: Controversy on Day 1
Ravindra Jadeja was caught on camera appearing to apply something to the ball or his hands near the ball, and former England captain Michael Vaughan was among the first to flag it out on social media. While the video isn't definitive, it appears that Jadeja is getting something from Mohammed Siraj and then touching his palms and fingers close and around the ball.
Former Australia captain Tim Paine had only "interesting" to say about it on Twitter. However, the matter was brought to the attention of India captain Rohit Sharma and Jadeja by match referee Pycroft. According to reports, the Indian team's management informed the referee that Jadeja just used pain relievers on his fingers.
IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 2 Live score:
Jadeja's remarkable comeback to Test cricket after a five-month hiatus saw him finish with 5/47, dismissing four of Australia's top six, including the key scalps of Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith.
IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 2 Live score: Cummins' nightmare
The Australia skipper is largely regarded as the best Test fast bowler in the world, and for good reason, yet anyone seeing him yesterday would have questioned his skills to be in the team, let alone at the top of the international pecking order. Cummins either bowled too straight and full or drifted too far to the pads, and he was blasted by his India counterpart Rohit Sharma each time. He bowled four overs for 27 runs at a 6.75 economy rate. Nathan Lyon's economy rate of 3.30 in 10 overs was the second worst. In sharp contrast, Australia's second pacer, Scott Boland, conceded only four runs in three overs, albeit this could be due to the conditions
IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 2 Live score: Day 1 Highlights
India had a solid start to their innings, bowling out Australia for 177, thanks to captain Rohit Sharma's 66-ball half-century. He had a 76-run opening stand with KL Rahul, who was far more cautious with his performance and fell on 20 off 71 balls near the close of the day's play. When play starts on Day 2, Ravichandran Ashwin, who was sent in as a nightwatchman, will keep Rohit company. India is 100 runs behind Australia.
IND vs AUS 1st Test, Day 2 Live score: Hello and Welcome!
Hello and welcome to the second day of the first Test between India and Australia in Nagpur.