The second Test match is hanging in balance, despite India’s collapse in the morning session of the second day, with the tourists fought-back through Umesh Yadav, who clinched three Australian wickets at Brisbane Cricket Ground.
Australia is currently training by 187 runs with six wickets remaining and posted 221 runs on an expense on four wickets. Skipper Steve Smith (65 not out) and Mitchell Marsh (7 not out) were at the crease when umpires called off play owing to bad light.
Umesh, who was drafted into the playing XI on expense of Mohammed Shami by skipper MS Dhoni, dismissed David Warner, Chris Rogers and Sean Marsh on Day 2. Off-spinner Ravichandran Ashwin chipped in with one wicket of Shane Watson.
Earlier, India started the day on a good note with Ajinkya Rahane and Rohit Sharma, and they looked solid in the middle, playing some good shot, brimming with confidence. This, however, didn’t last long as Josh Hazlewood took the Indian batting line-up by storm.
Hazlewood, making his debut, completed a fifer and demolished the Indian batting order, taking the wickets of well-set Rahane, skipper MS Dhoni and Ravichandran Ashwin on the second day. Earlier on Day 1, he dismissed Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara.
India started the day on 311/4 and looking set to for a massive total, but they could only manage to add 96 runs to their overnight score. Apart from Hazlewood’s fifer, Nathan Lyon struck twice, while Mitchell Marsh and Shane Watson took one wicket apiece.
Rahane (81) was the first to depart, followed by Rohit Sharma (32), who was dismissed by Watson. After two early jolts, India somewhat recovered when skipper MS Dhoni and Ravichandran Ashwin stitched a 57-run partnership for the seventh wicket.
Hazlewood was India’s nemesis once again as he broke the partnership by dismissing Ashwin (35). India’s hopes were pounded upon Dhoni (33) but he too became Hazlewood’s prey just a couple of overs later, as he completed his five-wicket haul on debut.
India’s tail also failed to put any resistance as off-spinner Lyon dismissed Varun Aaron (4) and Umesh Yadav (9) in a space of two overs to bundle India in the first session itself.
