AUS vs IND: 1st Test, Day 2 – India on top after terrific bowling performance
After another exciting day’s play in the day-night Test at Adelaide, India went to stumps with a slight edge over their Australian counterparts. The Indian bowlers bowled superbly keeping the batsmen under the lid right through. In response to India’s 244 in the first innings, Australia were bundled out for just 191, conceding a crucial 53-run lead to the visitors.
India, in their second innings, lost Prithvi Shaw early and ended the day on 9/1.
Here are the talking points from an eventful second day:
1. India lose 4 wickets for 11 runs
India ended Day 1 on 233/6 and they would’ve hoped to get close to 300 in the first session. But Pat Cummins snapped Ravi Ashwin in the first over of the day and then Saha also got out playing a poor shot. India’s tail didn’t wag either as they only posted 244 runs on the board. The visitors added just 11 runs to their overnight tally.
2. Ashwin gets the big fish
Before this Test, Steve Smith averaged more than 84 against India in the longest format. And no wonder his wicket was crucial for India. All eyes were on how the pacers would bowl to him and they did well. The likes of Shami, Yadav and Bumrah kept it tight but Smith was looking confident. And out of the blue Ravi Ashwin came and bowled superbly to get him caught in the slips where Ajinkya Rahane didn’t make any mistake. He scored only 1 run off 29 balls.
3. Kohli’s brilliant catch
Cameron Green’s debut innings was stopped short by an absolute classic from Virat Kohli – and the Indian captain enjoyed it a lot! #OhWhatAFeeling@toyota_Aus | #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/krXXaZI1at
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 18, 2020
Virat Kohli always manages to stay in the game no matter what. Even on the second day in Adelaide, he was in the news thanks to his sensational catch. In the 41st over, Ashwin bowled one short at Cameron Green who rocked back and played a pull shot. But Kohli was aware at mid-wicket and dived superbly to his right to get hold of a catch. It was a brilliant effort and the man himself realised it as well as he greeted the crowd after.
4. Paine’s fighting knock
Termed as the ‘temporary captain’ in the last series, Tim Paine has only gone on to better himself. In the absence of the usual leaders, Paine has done a good job at the helm and proved his mettle again batting at seven. Coming in at 79/5, Paine took the attack to Indian bowlers and batted really well. Once the score was reduced to 111/7, he played more shots and propelled the team to 191 remaining unbeaten on 73 off just 99 balls with 10 fours.
