India vs Australia, 1st Test, Day 2: 5 Talking Points

In an unlikely turn of events visitors, Australia took a giant leap in winning the opening Test against India after a sensational bowling performance especially from left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefee which bundled out the hosts for a paltry first innings score. After scoring 260 in their 1st innings, Josh Hazlewood provided the visitors with the early breakthrough of Murali Vijay. His partner wasn’t far away as Starc dismissed Pujara with a peach of a delivery.

With the score at 34/3, opener KL Rahul who was going great guns played a reckless shot and gave away his wicket which started a procession of sorts. Rahane and Wriddhiman Saha followed Rahul to the dressing room in that same over followed Ashwin in the very next over. India lost their last 7 wickets for only 11 runs as they were shot for 105, giving Australia a massive lead of 155 runs. After losing three quick wickets, captain Steve Smith applied himself pretty well and took their score to 143/4 at the end of 46 overs with an overall lead of 298 runs.

That said here we have a look at 5 Talking Points from the 2nd day’s play at the Maharashtra Cricket Association Ground in Pune.

1. KL Rahul scores a fluent half-century

Opener KL Rahul began in superb fashion hitting both Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood for some delightful drives through the cover region. He began with a couple of boundaries of Mitchell Starc and followed it up with a six of Steve O’ Keefe. It was a great performance by the Karnataka lad despite losing his partners in quick succession. Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli was dismissed in the same over of Starc but Rahul kept going.

An uncharacteristic lapse in concentration from Rahul in the 33rd over cost India dearly as they lost their last 7 wickets for only 11 runs which are the worst collapse by any team in Indian conditions. He stepped out and tried to hit it over the fence but failed to connect it properly and was safely taken by David Warner stationed in the deep.

2. Steve O’ Keefe’s exceptional spell

The left-arm spinner was simply superb after Steve Smith changed his ends around. In the opening spell, he didn’t look too threatening but came back strongly in the 2nd spell to finish with career best figures of 6/35. His first wicket came when he induced a false shot from KL Rahul. He was batting on 64 and the wicket came at a crucial juncture of the game which never allowed the Indians to come back into the match.

He dismissed Ajinkya Rahane and wicket-keeper batsman Wriddhiman Saha in the same over to reduce the hosts to 95/6. The ball turned just enough to take the outside edge of the bat of Saha and Rahane and was caught safely by the slip fielders. Next, it was Jayant Yadav who was stumped followed by Jadeja and Umesh Yadav. Both went for expansive heaves and held out in the deep and1st slip respectively.

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3. Peter Handscomb’s match-turning catches

Middle-order batsman Peter Handscomb was just a live wire in the field and took whatever came in his way. The most prized catch was that of Virat Kohli’s when Starc induced the edge from the rival captain. Handscomb who was stationed in the 1st slip region completed a regulation catch. The best catch of the day came when he took a blinder at 2nd slip and plucked the ball out of thin air. Rahane was looking to work it to the leg side but got an outside edge which was superbly grabbed by Handscomb.

Ravichandran Ashwin was a pretty unlucky when he was dismissed after the ball hit his boots and popped up in the air. Handscomb who was fielding in the short leg position pounced on that a completed a sensational catch to reduce the hosts to 95/7.

4. Ravichandran Ashwin bags three quick wickets

Indian spin ace Ravichandran Ashwin came back strongly and removed three Australian batsmen in the 2nd innings in quick time. His first wicket came when he dismissed southpaw David Warner with a straighter delivery which went on with the arms. The ball crashed onto his pads and the umpire had no hesitation to rule the decision in favour of the bowling side.

His 2nd wicket came with a similar sort of a delivery. Shaun Marsh misread the delivery and played for the turn. The ball again thudded on to his pads and for yet another time the umpire ruled it in favour of India. His final wicket of the day came when his extra bounce undid Peter Handscomb and he gave an easy catch to the leg slip fielder.

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5. Steve Smith chips with a crucial half-century

With a lead of more than 150 runs, Aussie captain Steve Smith played superb innings and remained unbeaten on 59 of 117 deliveries. He struck 7 boundaries during his innings but got several lives during his stay. He was dropped 3 times to be precise, once by Murali Vijay and twice by substitute fielder Abhinav Mukund.

The captain played some good shots and ensured Australia finished the day’s play without any further hiccups. He will hope to score as many as possible on the 3rd day morning and set India an improbable victory target in their 2nd essay.