IND v AUS, 4th Test, Day 2, Review: Nathan Lyon bags 4, match in balance

Opening Session 

After bowling out the Aussies for 300 in their 1st innings, it was the job of the star-studded Indian batting line-up to deliver the goods. On a pitch which has traditionally been a pace friendly wicket, the Australian fast bowlers bowled their heart out but were able to scalp just a solitary wicket in the opening session of Day 2.

Both the openers began with some delightful shots especially KL Rahul who has looked in ominous touch in this series so far. Murali Vijay who scored a brilliant 82 in the previous match finally fell prey to Josh Hazlewood. The ball just shaped away after pitching and took the outside edge of VIjay’s bat. Wicket-keeper Matthew Wade completed an easy catch behind the stumps.

Cheteshwar Pujara joined Rahul in the middle and looked to overcome the early loss. the resolute Pujara played a brilliant cover drive of Hazlewood to start of proceedings Rahul on the other hand, was going great guns and looking comfortable in the middle apart from a few deliveries here and there.

He was beaten by a scorcher of a delivery by Pat Cummins just before the lunch interval but he survived. He has struck 5 boundaries in his unbeaten knock of 31 so far, while Pujara is batting on 22 of 57 deliveries with a couple of boundaries to his name.

Pujara struck an exquisite cover drive of Steve O’Keefe in the penultimate over before lunch and the duo would look to carry on their good work and take India to a commanding position.

Brief Scores (up to Lunch) 

Australia 1st innings 300 all-out in 88.3 overs (Steve Smith 111, Matthew Wade 57, Kuldeep Yadav 4/68, Umesh Yadav 2/69)

India 1st innings 64/1 in 28 overs (KL Rahul 31*, Cheteshwar Pujara 22*, Josh Hazlewood 1/16)

 Post-Lunch Session 

Hosts India consolidated to a position of strength at tea on Day 2 of the final Test in Dharamsala. It was an excellent display of batsmanship by Cheteshwar Pujara which ensured India went to tea in a comfortable position. Meanwhile, in-form batsman, KL Rahul was bounced out by Pat Cummins with a brilliant spell of fast bowling.

KL Rahul began with a huge six of Steve O’Keefe and reached his 5th half-century of the series in the following over. Soon after he lost his concentration and gave away his wicket to a fiery Pat Cummins. The fast bowlers kept on troubling with a barrage of short deliveries and eventually he succumbed to his ploy. He attempted a pull but it was too fast for Rahul’s liking and toe-ended it straight to the cover fielder.

Ajinkya Rahane began with a couple of streaky shots which yielded him a four and a six but it didn’t come from the middle of the bat. He missed a few deliveries here and there and looked nervy in the initial part of his innings but managed to play out the initial burst by Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood.

Cheteshwar Pujara looked resolute and completed yet another half-century nad remained unbeaten for the last 16 hours of cricket. He was unbeaten for 14 hours in Ranchi and already more than 3 hours today. While Rahane is batting on 19, Pujara is unbeaten on 53.

Brief Scores (up to Tea)

Australia 1st innings 300 all-out in 88.3 overs (Steve Smith 111, Matthew Wade 57, Kuldeep Yadav 4/68, Umesh Yadav 2/69)

India 1st innings 153/2 in 60 overs (KL Rahul 60, Cheteshwar Pujara 53*, Josh Hazlewood 1/31, Pat Cummins 1/45)

Post-Tea Season 

Australia clawed their way back into the 2nd Test at Dharamsala by dismissing 4 Indian batsmen on the final session of Day 2 as India finished in 246/6 in 91 overs. Off-spinner Nathan Lyon bowled a sensational spell fo spin bowling and returned with 4 wickets to his name.

Immediately after lunch, Cheteshwar Pujara was sent back to the pavilion by Nathan Lyon with a brilliant delivery. The ball bounced sharply and took the inside edge of Pujara’s bat and lobbed straight up in the air. Peter Handscomb stationed in the short leg region completed a wonderful catch.

Karun Nair who hasn’t been among runs in the series failed to deliver yet another time as Nathan Lyon was too good for the Karnataka lad. The ball again bounced sharply and took the glove of Nair’s bat and baloon4ed straight up in the air. Matthew Wade behind the stumps completed a straight forward catch.

Ravichandran Ashwin walked out in the middle to join Rahane in the middle and the duo played some exquisite shots just before the 2nd new ball was taken. Ashwin looked in good knick and struck the spinners for some delightful boundaries. Rahane on the other hand also took on Steve O’Keefe.

Rahane eventually gave away his wicket four runs short of a half-century. It bounced sharply and took the outside edge of Rahane’s bat which was safely taken by Steve Smith in the slip cordon. Ashwin too departed in quick succession as the hosts were reduced to 221/6. The ball turned sharply and struck Ashwin plumb in front. Though the impact was umpire’s call, it would have gone on to crash into the stumps.

Ravindra Jadeja joined wicket-keeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha in the middle. The southpaw treated both the spinners with some exceptional strokeplay. While the hard-hitting batsman smashed Steve O’Keefe for a huge six over the mid-wicket region, he pulled Nathan Lyon for yet another gigantic six.

The visitors eventually finished the day with the score at 248/6. While Saha is batting on 10, Jadeja is unbeaten on 16. The 3rd day of the match tomorrow might well prove to be the decisive day in the Test series.

Brief Scores (Full day) 

Australia 1st innings 300 all-out in 88.3 overs (Steve Smith 111, Matthew Wade 57, Kuldeep Yadav 4/68, Umesh Yadav 2/69)

India 1st innings 248/6 in 91 overs (KL Rahul 60, Cheteshwar Pujara 57, Ajinkya Rahane 46, Nathan Lyon 4/67)