IND vs AUS 2nd Test Day 2 : Kohli, Rahane Stabilize Indian Batting After Early Blows

Match Summary

Australia managed another 49 runs to their Day 1 score of 277/6 and set a total of 326. The Australian bowlers got rid of Vijay and Rahul cheaply. It was upto Kohli and Pujara first and Kohli and Rahane later to give a fight back which they did ! Captain Kohli is on the way to his another century as India have posted 172/3 at the end of second day’s play.

Session 1

Batting on an overnight score of 277/6, the Australian captain Tim Paine and Pat Cummins added 33 runs until Umesh Yadav rattled Cummins for 19. Paine too couldn’t last long as Bumrah found him before the wicket. He made 38.

Ishant Sharma took no time in dismissing the tail-enders Mitchell Stark and Josh Hazelwood. Nathan Lyon remained not out on 9.

The Indian bowlers dismissed Australia for 326. Indian fast bowling spearhead claimed four wickets while Jasprit Bumrah, Umesh Yadav and part-timer Hanuma Vihari took 2 wickets each.

India had a dismal start as the visitors lost Murli Vijay. He was sent packing by Mitchell Stark for nought. India went into lunch at 6/1.

Session 2

Shortly after the lunch break, Hazelwood got KL Rahul by a perfect yorker which left India worrying at 8/2.

Indian captain Virat Kohli and the ever dependable Cheteshwar Pujara got together and stitched a partnership of 74. But more importantly, the duo batted for nearly 33 overs.

Session 3

Mitchell Stark ended Pujara’s 103 ball vigil. He made 24.

Indian captain Virat Kohli showed his attacking intent early on when he smashed Josh Hazelwood for 3 boundaries in an over. Later on, he calmed down and left almost everything outside the off stump. In the meantime, he also brought his 20th Test half-century.

Kohli’s deputy – Ajinkya Rahane looked a bit jittery at the start. He even played an uppercut to Stark which went for a 6. But later he looked solid and played some beautiful shots. He brought up his 17th half century in Test cricket.

At the end of day’s play, India has posted 172/3 on the board with the skipper on 84* and the vice-captain on 51*.

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