Australia has been bowled out for 197 runs in their first innings on Day 2 of the third Border Gavaskar test match here at Indore. They had to settle for 88 run lead after the first innings.
The Australian team was cruising in the first hour on Day 2, they kept Indian bowlers at bay. Overnight pair of Peter Handscomb and Cameron Green absorbs the pressure well in the first morning. They added 30 more runs to the team tally. After the drinks break, R Ashwin gave India a much-needed breakthrough. He got Peter Handscomb at short leg. Then Umesh Yadav, with his fantastic display of reverse swing, ran through the Australian batting lineup. Visitors collapsed for 6 wickets for just 11 runs in the span of 24 balls
Start of the Day 2 was very crucial for both teams as the Indore test moved at a very fast pace. Australia looked to bat as long as possible on these difficult tracks. They started the day in a very convincing fashion. Peter Handscomb and Cameron Green showed some good defense against Indian spinners. They also avoided going completely into the shell and took all the scoring opportunities that came their way. They added 30 runs in the first hour till the drinks break.
But, immediately after the break, Ravichandran Ashwin breaks the dangerous partnership. He flighted one delivery on off and middle stumps; Handscomb lunges forward to defend but only gets inside edge; Shreyas Iyer takes a sharp catch at short leg. In the very next over, Umesh Yadav caught Cam Green right in front of the wickets.
Umesh Yadav’s exhilarating display of Reverse Swing
India got the two settled batsmen in two overs as they entered into the Australian lower middle order. Umesh showed an exhilarating display of Reverse Swing bowling in this spell. He bamboozled Starc in his very next over. At the other end, Ashwin, who looked very threatening since coming back into the attack, got Alex Carry trapped in front. Todd Murphy couldn’t survive much longer. Umesh sent his off-stump for a walk as he tried to cover the line of the ball.
Ashwin completed the formalities in the very next over. Lyon went for a wild swing and completely missed it; the ball went straight, hitting the top of the middle stump. Australia bowled out for 197 runs. Umesh took 3 for 12, He also completed his 100th test wicket on Indian soil.
Australia was 186 for 4 at one stage, but Handcomb’s wicket triggered yet another batting collapse; they lost 6 wickets for just 11 runs. They are still 88 runs ahead of India at this stage. These are very valuable runs in the context of this game, which looks like yet another low-scoring encounter.
India bowled out for 109 runs on Day 1
Australia has been in a commanding position after Day 1 of the Indore test. They ran through the Indian batting after losing the toss. They restricted India to mere 109 runs as Matthew Kuhnemann bags a maiden fifer. Then showed a very good display of test match batting and went past the Indian total with ease. They got a very handy lead of 47 runs at the end of the day proceeding.
But the Australian batting collapse has given India a chance to come back into the test match. They would look to erase Australia’s lead and try to post a challenging target for visitors to chase. Australia will try to replicate their bowling performance from the first innings & restrict India to yet another low total.
Australia is 2-0 down in the series and has already lost the Border Gavaskar trophy. But they have a great chance to level the series here at Indore.
India 109 (Kohli 22, Gill 21, Kuhnemann 5-16, Lyon 3-35)
Australia 197 (Khawaja 60, Labuschagne 31, Jadeja 4-78, Umesh 3-12)
