India v/s Australia, 4th Test, Day 2, Sydney: Rohit-Rahul remain unbeaten on Day 2 as India trail by 501 runs; 25 overs- 71/1

13:48 IST Wednesday, 7 January 2015

Sunil Gavaskar's views on how the young batsman KL Rahul shaped up against the new ball - "There was the initial tentativeness, nervousness for both which is understandable for both batsmen (Rohit and Rahul). Rohit too who is making a comeback in the test team and Rahul too batted at a number unfamiliar to him in the first test and he has been impressive because of the way he moved right behind the line of the ball, the way he swayed away from the ball. He needs to be wary of the short ball. Like he tried to pull one away in the last over by Mitchell Starc. He needs to watch out for the way he's pushing deliveries outside the off-stump. Otherwise he has been very impressive."

12:35 IST Wednesday, 7 January 2015

India lost Vijay on the third ball of their innings but Rohit and Rahul have put on an unbeaten 71 after that. Rohit-Rahul steady India. Even though both have missed a few times, they looked solid overall. The top order is new for India missing Dhawan and Pujara. The batting pitch offers turn and bounce to the spinners. India were in full control against Lyon, though. 

Rohit Sharma looked at home against pace. Big opportunity for him tomorrow

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 7, 2015

The final session was India's .. for sure.. specially @ImRo45 hitting 2 sixes to Lyon.. 71-1 in 25 overs.. Not bad i would say #INDvsAUS

— Chirag Chheda (@chhedachirag185) January 7, 2015

Rohit Sharma looking strong after the end of days play. Should be a big day for him tomorrow to carry forward the confidence. #INDvsAUS

— Manasi Rawal (@ManasiRawal) January 7, 2015

Stumps Day 2- 25 overs- 71/1 India trail Australia by 501 runs and nine wickets remaining in first innings.

Rohit Sharma and Lokesh Rahul remain unbeaten on 40 off 76 and 31 off 71 respectively.

India have batted well after that initial loss. Good to see some resolve. And to see what Lokesh Rahul is capable of.

— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) January 7, 2015

Last over of the day 

Rahul- 25 off 57, Rohit-34 off 66

Rahul dealing nicely with the bowlers here.

11:55 IST Wednesday, 7 January 2015

19 overs- 53/1

Partnership of 51 runs off 107 balls 

11:40 IST Wednesday, 7 January 2015

15 overs- 41/1

Rohit- 26 off 47, Rahul- 15 off 40

Rohit Sharma playing well-controlled shots. In the previous over too Rohit came down the track and slammed one over the boundary ropes. He is such a fearless batsman, good on the front foot.

14 overs- 35/1

11:21 IST Wednesday, 7 January 2015

10 overs- 24/1

Rohit- 18 off 33, Rahul- 6 off 24

Its tym for #Rohit to deliver #INDvsAUS

— Raj Sharma (@LoyalSalmanFan) January 7, 2015

3 overs- 7/1. Trail by 565

10:48 IST Wednesday, 7 January 2015

OUT! That was quick. It took Australia three balls to claim the first Indian wicket. Vijay played a loose drive as there is a thin edge to Haddin 

Just saw Starc's send off for the 1st time. Totally unnecessary and shames me as an Australian. #INDvsAUS #AUSvIND

— Paul Dennett (@IndiaInOz) January 7, 2015

M Vijay c Haddin b Starc 0 off 3b 

Murali vijay the consistent batsmen in the series gets out india one down #poorstart #INDvsAUS

— taimoor (@sultanforckt) January 7, 2015

The pitch has suddenly turned from flat to a seaming wicket, this happens only when India is batting huh? #INDvsAUS #cricket

— Kiran Nataraj (@kirannataraj) January 7, 2015

Murali Vijay and Lokesh Rahul come in to bat. Mitchell Starc has the new ball.

India have 25 overs to face today. Two centuries and four half centuries for the batsmen and four centuries for the bowlers. 

10:31 IST Wednesday, 7 January 2015

Australia declare at 572/7

OUT! Harris runs out of luck after his hook finds deep backward square leg to give Shami his fifth wicket and and the the captain Steve Smith has signalled his batsmen from the dressing room calling them back.

Thats a wonderful gesture from Smith... He patiently waited for Shami to pick up 5 wickets before declaring.. #INDvsAUS

— Avinash S G (@javiies) January 7, 2015

10:23 IST Wednesday, 7 January 2015

 

Ryan Harris- 19 off 6, Brad Haddin- 9 off 11

152 overs- 565/6

150.2 overs- OUT! JA Burns c Rahul b Mohammed Shami 58 off 114b

9:51 IST Wednesday, 7 January 2015

TEA! Australia- 538/5 in 149 overs. 

Second session- 29 overs 118 runs 1 wicket

9:43 IST Wednesday, 7 January 2015

147 overs- 535/5

146.4 overs- Mohammed Shami to Marsh, OUT! That was a lovely collection from Saha, Marsh steered it between the keeper and wide slip, and glovesman Saha was swift to move to his left and take that one. 

SE Marsh c Saha b Mohammed Shami 73 off 116b 

9:22 IST Wednesday, 7 January 2015

143 overs- 508/4. It is very difficult to win matches when bowlers leak 500 runs

Burns- 40 off 88, Marsh- 62 off 105

500 runs come up for Australia! This is the fourth time India has conceded 500+ in this series. Australia piling up a mountain of runs.

I am wondering if we have any bowlers at all?! :( @BCCI #IndvsAus

— sumanth paranji (@sumanthparanji) January 7, 2015

139 overs- 488/4

And that is going to be the DRINKS BREAK!

137 overs- 486/4

HALF CENTURY for Shaun Marsh! 50 off 87 balls  

8:46 IST Wednesday, 7 January 2015

Marsh- 49 off 81, Burns- 30 off 70 

Runs flow for Marsh on batting surface. Brisk runs for Oz.

8:35 IST Wednesday, 7 January 2015

133 overs- 480/4. Ashwin needs to bowl wicket-taking line

There is bounce on the pitch. Too many shots going to the gully. Ashwin bowling a good line. He should bowl more of that and not be afraid.

8:15 IST Wednesday, 7 January 2015

128 overs- 457/4

Burns-18 off 43 , Marsh- 33 off 60

Burns seems prepared to take on Ashwin after playing a few attacking shots

127 overs- 452/4

7:57 IST Wednesday, 7 January 2015

122 overs- 435/4

Marsh- 21 off 44, Burns- 8 off 23

Ashwin starts the attack in 2nd session 

7:10 IST Wednesday, 7 January 2015

Lunch. Just 24 runs coming in the second hour as India showed discipline. Watson started it after he picked the man at deep midwicket to give India the opening, Smith too fell after going for an unsuccessful drive, and Marsh and Burns have somehow scraped through to lunch. Wicket now expected to produce plenty of turn and bounce, assisting the spinners now. 

First session- 30 overs 72 runs 2 wickets. 

Good test match cricket this morning

12 overs- 420/4. Burns-0 off 17, Marsh- 14 off 38

Four maiden overs bowled now. Part timer Suresh Raina introduced into the attack.

6:51 IST Wednesday, 7 January 2015

WICKET! And Steve Smith departs! Outside the off stump does the trick. A wonderful delivery. A big outside nick. Ther was absolutely no foot movement there as he goes for a big drive, and nicks one to the keeper

SPD Smith c Saha b Yadav 117 off 208b 

6:40 IST Wednesday, 7 January 2015

111 overs- 411/3

Marsh- 8 off 11, Smith-114 off 198 

Meanwhile!

Now we have to wait for Marsh to get out in 90's and Burns to score a century.. #INDvsAUS

— njganesh (@njganesh) January 7, 2015

Shaun Marsh will now hope to play a pivotal role in Sydney. A big match performer, having scored two test centuries. Mighty 141 on his debut against Sri Lanka.

6:28 IST Wednesday, 7 January 2015

107.2 overs- 400/3. WICKET! Watson takes the long walk back to the pavillion. Watson gone for 81. Mohammed Shami to Watson, OUT, and Watson pulls a short ball and finds the fielder at deep midwicket. Well bowled from Shami.

What a waste of an opportunity by @ShaneRWatson33 He couldn't have any better chance to score three figure then this, ... #INDvsAUS

— V@Q! #GoNawazGo (@iKarsaz) January 7, 2015

SR Watson c Ashwin b Mohammed Shami 81 off 183b 

It has been a hard day for India's seamers.

And little bit of drinks on a hot day in Sydney!

104 overs- 396/2

6:03 IST Wednesday, 7 January 2015

103 overs- 393/2

Ashwin has the knack of bowling on the middle stump.  Ashwin is bowling a good line here.

It has been a good surface to bat on and India has faltered. Good players make you pay on such flat batting surfaces.

Smith is the second batsman to score a hundred in all matches of a 4-match series.

CENTURY! 102 off 168 balls for the young lad. Another fine innings for Smith as he scores the 4th test 100 in this series. It can't get any better. Three matches as captain and three centuries for the young lad.

He slams one for a boundary as a full toss is bowled to him. Absolutely poor cricket by India.

Fourth century in the series! Wow wow wow ! Hope he will never stop.@WWOS9 #INDvsAUS

— Gary Singh (@gsbapla) January 7, 2015

Steve Smith is a good player going through a purple patch. Brilliant 100 @scg @CricketAus @BCCI @WWOS9 #cricket #INDvsAUS

— Vijay Arumugam (@vijayarumugam) January 7, 2015

This has been a wonderful series for Smith having already scored 599 runs.

5:37 IST Wednesday, 7 January 2015

97 overs- 364/2

Smith- 91 off 157, Watson- 65 off 151

Good Morning. Welcome to our live coverage on the 2nd Day Session 1

New Year, new captain, a semi-new look team but India's woes Down Under continues! It was a familiar tale of domination by top order of Australia against a clueless Indian bowling attack on Day 1 of the 4th and final test match in Sydney. Australia finished the day at 348/2. On Day 2, team India will try to get some early wickets to somewhat seize the initiative from the hosts, who are enroute to post an imposing first innings total.

Also read: Australian opener David Warner accredits Sydney ton to 'good' pitch, 'poor' Indian bowling

The star of Day 1 was David Warner who got able assistance from fellow opener Chris Rogers. Stand-in Captain Steve Smith has continued his rich run of form currently not out on 82 and Shane Watson has also come to the party scoring 61 till the end of day 1. Indian fielders have not helped their bowlers, grassing easy catches. Among the bowlers R Ashwin and Mohammad Shami have managed to get some respect from the Aussies. Bhuvneshwar Kumar hasn't looked menacing at all. Umesh Yadav has leaked runs at over 6 runs per rate and has become a major liability for captain Virat Kohli. Bowling continues to be India's Achilles' heel. It will need some moments of special performance from Team India to stop Aussies from scoring more than 500 in the first innings.

Australia on their part will look to completely bat India out of this test match and then try to put pressure on new look batting order of the visitors to get them out cheaply. 

For all coverage related to India's tour of Australia 2014- 15, check http://www.dnaindia.com/sport/india-vs-australia-2014

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