India v Australia 2nd Test, Day 2 – 5 Talking Points

The two-faced pitch did not work in favor of the Indians. Nathon Lyon roared and India had only managed 189, to add to their misery Australia finished day one on a high with 40-0. Day 2 saw a different Team India as they bowled with intent, created pressure and most importantly maintained it with regular wickets. That said, the Steve Smith led team lost David Warner early on day one.

Indians went out of their usual way of going about their game and started to get into batsman’s head. The battle between Ishant and Smith was worth watching. Matt Renshaw should brilliant temperament as he was unscathed by the Indian bowlers and played a steady knock of 60 before departing.

Australia ended day two on a high as well. They overhauled India’s score as they took 48 runs lead and will walk in with Matthew Wade and Mitchell Starc for day 3.

1. India start with intent

After conceding the two sessions to Australia on day one India wanted to make a comeback on Day two. They came out all guns blazing. Ashwin had a new game plan as he bowled a tighter line and spun the ball just like Lyon did. This caught the Australians off guard and the runs were hard to come by.

This saw Warner depart early on day 2 to a beauty from Ashwin. A fidgety Smith came to the crease and the story was no different. Ishant Sharma was running in hard and banging the ball in the right places. Though he did not receive any reward for it, he managed to maintain the pressure. Which was very important as far as Indians were concerned.

Also read- Twitter Reactions: Australia hold edge despite some brilliant bowling by India on Day 2

2. Battle within a Battle

Smith came to the crease and was greeted with a wild stare from Ashwin when he got off the mark. The offie was not allowed to stop the single as Renshaw held his ground at the non-striker’s end. But this was not the real battle. Ishant and Smith were at it during the morning session.

Smith, as we know is a fidgety character. He likes to move around the crease all the time and has a weird way of leaving the ball. Ishant Sharma came in and bowled a beautiful delivery which was blocked by Smith. The Australian skipper gave Ishant a nod and Ishant Sharma’s reply to that were some hilarious expressions which were pure magic.

Ishant even hit Smith on his inner thigh as his appeal for lbw was unsuccessful. Eventually, Smith departed for a mere 8 off Jadeja.

3. Gritty Renshaw

Matthew Renshaw, aged just twenty, showed some brilliant resilience. He saw his senior opener and his captain depart and that did not shake this young man one bit. He kept on blocking Ashwin successfully holding one end from Australia.

Renshaw crossed the fifty run mark as he wove a solid partnership with Shaun Marsh. He played around 160 deliveries for his fifty runs and was looking extremely confident before Jadeja intelligently tricked him. Renshaw departed for a 60 off 197 deliveries.

4. India maintain the pressure

India’s fightback saw them take wickets at regular intervals. They bowled extremely well as Australians had to fight for every run. Indians were also fielding very well, diving around to save every possible single.

This pressure earned them a wicket in the name of Handscomb. He tried to scoop one over midwicket only managing to hit it at Ashwin.

5. Resilient Shawn Marsh

Shawn Marsh looked uncomfortable when he first took the crease but eased into the game. He played some beautiful strokes. Batting with grittiness and leaving well he crawled towards his fifty. The number four batsman saw his brother depart for a duck but carried on with his game.

Shawn scored 66 of 197 deliveries before departing. He made sure Australia went ahead of India’s total. He built a 50-run partnership with wade before giving away his wicket to Umesh Yadav. Australia ended the day with a 48-run lead. Mitchell Starc and Matthew Wade will resume their batting tomorrow.