India vs Australia 4th Test Match, Day 2 at Dharamsala Highlights: Saha, Jadeja have an uphill task on day 3

India vs Australia, IndvAus: Saha, Jadeja have to take India past the trail and then look to for a sizable lead, but it is going to be no mean joke

End of day 2. India trail by 52 with four wickets in hand.

STUMPS

16:35 IST: Huge appeal by Josh but missing leg, Jadeja picks a single. Saha has five balls to see off. Smith attacking even more considering five balls to go. Good thinking by Smith to attack. Smith has an extra slip. Saha lets that go, since he has got an edge he has looked to leave more. Two balls to go, Jadeja  will have to face the last ball as Saha picks a single. One ball to negate, huge appeal but Ian Gould not interested.

16:31 IST: Jadeja gets a single of Cummins. Streaky but India will take anything now.  Saha lets that go but look at the carry. Cummins has been unlucky today after finding the edge on occasions. Saha has to be at his best if he wants to see off today. Slip getting into forward short leg. India trail by 55 runs. Cummins is really bowling fast.

This surely is the last over.

16:22 IST: This could be the last over before end of play. That is what it seems like. Josh will look to end on a high. Jadeja has to play out this over without any histrionics. Jadeja looking to play safe.

16:22 IST: The new ball cuts Saha in half, beats him all ends up. Cummins will go all out now. Australia want another one before close of play. Jadeja is playing a handy looking knock considering there is no point wondering and getting out. Renshaw drops one or else we would have been looking at the tail. Respite. India trail by 57 runs.

Australia looking to go for the kill have opted for the new cherry.

16:17 IST: Lyon continues, two slips in place, they are sensing another one. SIX again, 1000 runs for Jadeja in Test cricket and what a way to bring it up.

16:14 IST: Keefe to Jadeja, this is better from India’s point of view. SIX Thats a biggie! Right out of the screws. Saha cover drives handsomely for a FOUR.

16:09 IST: Not taking the new ball is working for the visitors as Lyon is looking dangerous. Jadeja is off the mark, every run is important from here. Saha should farm the strike against Lyon. Saha gets a streaky edge for a couple. Lyon has been getting consistent bounce.

16:07 IST: Saha is back to defending to Keefe. Visitors have picked four to peg back India. They are looking promising for more.

16:02: Ashwin is OUT. He reviews it, but it looks good to be hitting the stumps. Yes it is hitting leg and middle. the decision stands, Ashwin will have to leave. The match is shaping up really well for a riveting third day. Jadeja gets a ripper first up from Lyon who has already got four. Jadeja is not looking comfortable.

15:58 IST: No signs of the new ball being taken. Keefe continues, Saha is looking a bit too adventurous. Saha has to build it. Flurry of appeals, but turned down. Australia review. Not out. Saha living on thin ice.

15:55 IST: Lyon continues, the new ball is now available. Ashwin gets a single. Saha will look to dig deep and grind it out. Lyon is bowling really fast expecting Saha to sweep. Lyon is also getting the ball to grip and bounce. Lyon is really troubling the Indians. He has been the wrecker-in chief. Huge appeal, Smith has two reviews. He does not review.

15:50 IST: Now India will first have to look at wiping out the deficit. Captain Rahane’s wicket was big, Saha walks out. Saha is off-the mark. Saha would be high on confidence after scoring a hundred last time round. Australia review. There is an appeal for leg before wicket. It looks close. The height seems to have saved Saha. What a relief!

15:45 IST: Last five over have been productive it has fetched 29 runs. The partnership is 48 off 82 balls. Lyon is bowling a decent line. Ashwin is cautious, he has to look at batting through till stumps today. Ashwin picks up another single. Rahane OUT. Beaten in the air off the pitch, Smith pouches it at slip. What a catch by Smith.

15:42 IST: Keefe is coming over the wicket, Ashwin cuts in front of point FOUR. A single to round off the boundary. Rahane sweeps to get a FOUR. India have finally found some momentum.

15:39 IST: Lyon to Ashwin, he gets a single. Ashwin moves on to 20. Rahane on strike is on 41.  Huge appeal, umpire says no. Lyon is being a touch too dramatic today. Rahane knocks it down the ground picks up a single. Ashwin gets another run.

15:36 IST: Keefe continues, Ashwin gets a single. This is the last hour of play. Huge appeal, not out says the umpire. Smith takes a review. Fair delivery, impact looks outside. Absolutely! Visitors lose a review, but good they took it as just five overs are left before they get fresh reviews. Will they go for the new ball? Practically looking at it they have to.

15:32 IST: India on the attack, but let us not count the chickens before they have hatched. Finally, host have found some momentum. DRINKS!!

15:29 IST: Lyon to Rahane, he defends. Lyon is bowling really flat, unlike Nathan. Rahane goes aerial, shows intent FOUR. That has brought the crowd alive. This time Lyon corrects his length, he is short Rahane belts it of the backfoot, FOUR. Four boundaries in two overs. 200 up. Rahane on 41. Back to defending, end of the over.

15:25 IST: Keefe is back. Ashwin late cuts for FOUR. Back to back boundaries, this time in front of point. FOUR!! India trail by 109 runs. Second ball due in six overs. Will visitors take it as runs could leak?

15:23 IST: Rahane looks to sweep misses, there is an appeal. Rahane steps out only to block. It seems Rahane wants to attack. Rahane advances again but no runs.

15:17 IST: Josh it is, with a bat-pad in place. The ploy is understood well by Ashwin. Ashwin drives one but well fielded by Lyon, no easy singles on offer. Smith knows he has got an opening. Ashwin will get two on the leg side. Ashwin has his own way of tackling the bouncers, which up until now is effective. It seems Ashwin was always set, the way the ball is finding the middle of his bat. Ashwin has had enough, he pulls Josh for a FOUR.

15:15 IST: Lyon is giving Ashwin a taste of his own medicine. Ashwin should play Lyon well. Lyon is trying to do a repeat of Pujara but Ashwin is up for it, he picks a single on leg side.

15:10 IST: Josh is back replacing Cummins. This is a good little spell for the visitors. Ashwin is on strike and he is not the one who will hold back, if the ball is there he will play a shot at it. Josh has been economical. Ashwin drives on the up but Warner is there. Thanks to his height, Ashwin is comfortable countering the bouncers. Ashwin gets a run and rotates the strike.

15:07 IST: Rahane has to think big. Lyon has a well spread out field and is mixing up the speeds really well.

15:02 IST: Cummins to Ashwin, starts off with a bouncer. We expect him to pepper Ashwin with short stuff. Remember what Starc said! Over-pitched Ashwin drives but misses the line completely. India should not lose any more wickets today. Ashwin drives for a couple and gets off the mark. Saha, Jadeja and Bhuvi are yet to come. So there is batting there in the hut. India trail by 122. Cummins is getting the ball to dart back in or is it reverse?

14:59 IST: Over the wicket to Rahane. Rahane blocks, lets the next one go. He has varied his speeds well, Lyon. India will be expecting Rahane to play a captains knock. Rahane flicks it fine for FOUR. Lyon erring in line and pays for it.

14:54 IST: Two wickets have really pegged India back. Australia attacking even more. Cummins is really bowling fast. Rahane cuts hard, over the slips FOUR. Rahane should mix aggression with caution. Good that he came hard at that, lets the next one go. Rahane gets a single and rotates strike, he should face Lyon more. India trail by 128 runs. Ravichandran Ashwin is the new batsman. A bat-pad has been stationed so bouncers coming for certain.

14:48 IST: Fielders deep on the leg side. Lyon exactly knows what he wants to bowl. Lyon round the wicket. He is over the wicket again, faster one well negotiated by Rahane. He has been much quicker in the air. Lyon strikes again, Nair is walking, bat-pad it is, OUT. Nair gone.

14:45 IST: Cummins continues, Rahane has to set his sights on a big one. Nair is facing up and is ready to leave but how long is the question. India may have lost only three wickets today but the run getting has been slow. Just imagine Starc and Cummins together, they would be the best anywhere. Nair has to show temperament and patience. It is good to see Nair leaving balls outside the off stump.

14:40 IST: Rahane would be eyeing to play a captain’s knock, certainly. Lyon will be brimming with confidence. He has changed angles, he is over the wicket now. Nair will be under pressure. Nair picks up a single on leg side this will give him confidence.

14:35 IST: Out comes Karun Nair, who has been short of runs. Rahane off the backfoot punches it for three. Nair will have to show that the triple was not a one-off. Smith is egging on his players. Cummins is bowling with his tails up. Nair is looking to play sensibly. Nair lets that go. Cummins is trying the short ball treatment. Karun is off-the mark with a FOUR. Streaky but he will take it. India will take it any which way.

 14:31 IST: Nathan Lyon starts proceedings. Pujara is happy defending. He must show intent in this session. Too close to cut. Pujara clips that on side for a single. India are underway after lunch. Pujara dismissed, Lyon strikes. OUT!!

Post tea India should look to up the ante as they are playing very slowly.

TEA TIME!!!

14:08 IST: Last over before lunch in all probability. The pacers have got their hour long rest and they should be fresh after tea. Rahane has dropped anchor for tea, it seems.

14:06 IST: Lyon is bowling with a negative mindset and you can make that out. 87 runs have come in this session. Pujara gets a single on the leg side. Rahane plays that well keeps it down for a single.

14:04 IST: Pujara picks up a single. Keefe slower through the air to Rahane. 150 up! Rahane presents the full face of the bat to defend.

14:01 IST: Lyon to Pujara, the ball is dying on the batsman. Not as bad as Pune or Bengaluru. Pujara rocks back clips it leg side for a run. Rahane looks to cut but that was quick.Lyon has been bowing quicker her and that is a conscious adjustment.

13:58 IST: Rahane on strike, Keefe has the ball. Rahane drives but finds the fielder at deep covers. The spinners have not bothered the Indians like the pacers have. Rahane sweeps for a FOUR. That was smashed with disdain. India trail by 151 runs.

13:55 IST: Lyon has the ball. India trail by 159 runs. Only 10 runs of the last 56 balls. Pujara breaks the shackles with a FOUR. Fifty up. Handscomb under the helmet is adding pressure.

13:52 IST: Keefe to Rahane, he defends. Rahane lets the next one go to the keeper. Rahane has a problem against left arm spin, he has been dismissed 10 times. Nearly silly point gets into action. but eludes Handscomb there.

13:50 IST: Lyon goes up in appeal, but umpire suggesting it pitched outside leg. Rahane steady in defense. Twenty minutes to tea. Lyon has changed angles, he is bowling around the wicket. The run scoring has again slowed down. Rahane sweeps and gets a single of the last ball.

13:48 IST: Nearly a leading edge back to Keefe, falls short. Pujara back to being cautious after a lapse in concentration.

13:44 IST: Lyon is here, finally half an hour before tea. Pujara is happy defending, he really values his wicket. Lyon is not bowling that off stump line, he has been flatter in this Test. Again he bangs it in short, Pujara cannot capitalise. Short again this time he picks a single.

13:40 IST:  Rahane picks up a single of Keefe. Pujara returns on strike. Pujara clips it leg side for a single. Rahane has looked more attacking than Pujara, expected.

13:37 IST: Josh comes in, Pujara drives, no run. Josh is bowling more stump to stump in this spell. The ball seems to be having a nice carry. Pujara is inching close to s fifty. But knowing him, 50 would just be the beginning. Short to Pujara, he ducks. 73 runs have been scored in this session already compared to 64 in the first.

13:34 IST: Pujara is again having problems with the sight screen. Keefe will bowl, no signs of Lyon. Two slips for Rahane as well. Rahane gets an edge the keeper fails to gather it. He gets a life at 13. Remember the score, folks!

13:30 IST: Pujara clips it leg side for a couple. He is still willing to let balls go outside the off stumps, forcing Josh to bowl to his stumps. High quality Test batting. India trail by 165 runs. Pujara takes a single. Here is Cummins for you.

13:27 IST: Keefe has done the bulk of the bowling in this session, whereas it was Lyon in the first session. This seems to be a smart ploy by the Australians. Pujara cuts and gets a single, he is into the 40s’. Rahane has to step up to the plate and play a captains knock.

13:22 IST: What a shot FOUR. Pujara flicks it all along the carpet and the ropes. Pujara is on 39. Short deliveries have been the way to go for Australia. What commitment, Cummins is still ready to come in fast and bowl at pace.

13:19 IST: There will be extra pressure on Rahane as he is the captain. Rahane picks up a single as we speak. Pujara does the same, picking singles has been the hallmark of Pujara’s knock.

13:14 IST: Rahane has already got a move on. Cummins continues his barrage of short balls. Two fielders positioned for a pull or a hook and a bat pad. Rahane comfortably works it on the leg side for a single. All of this that is happening at the other end is just not bothering Pujara. Pujara giudes that past backward point for a single. It seems the chatter got the better of Rahul. Rahane plays that safely for a single.

13:08 IST: Pujara picks Keefe on the leg side finds the gap and a FOUR. That was classic Rahul Dravid. Two slips for Pujara, do not understand why. DRINKS!!!

13:00 IST: Cummins is running in hard and giving it his all but is not getting the desired results. Lapse in concentration, Rahul is OUT. It was short, Rahul took him on only to hit it from the lower end of the bat and a easy catch to mid off where Warner was placed. India’s new captain walks out Ajinkya Rahane. Rahane does what Rahul could not, pulls it for a FOUR. As expected, a fielder has been placed for the pull square on the leg side. Rahane takes him on again, of the top edge for a SIX!

00:57 IST: Keefe knows what is going on in Rahul’s mind. This is cat and mouse stuff. Rahul is itching to hit but is going against his natural instincts.

00:53 IST: Rahul cuts it for a FOUR. Hundred up for India. What a shot of the backfoot. He picks up a single to fine leg. There is a word or two said by Cummins as Rahul is running. Its heating up. Cummins strays on Pujara’s legs, he tickles it fine for a FOUR!

00:50 IST: Rahul defends the first three against Keefe is a big one coming? Rahul queitly tucks it leg side for a single. Only one from the over.

00:44 IST: Cummins is in for Josh, edged by Pujara but again falls short of Smith., he gets a single. Rahulm plays an uppish drive, well stopped by Lyon at covers. Cummins is the pacier of the two pacers. India trail by 204 runs. This is good application from Rahul, somebody who was known to throw his wicket away has 334 runs in the series at an average of 65+, it makes for a good reading. He gets a single of a bouncer.

00:42 IST: Keefe has two slips for Pujara. He gets a single and gets off strike. Rahul gets a single, this must be irritating Keefe. Pujara picks up another single. The scoreboard is ticking over at a happy rate.

00:36 IST: Josh to Pujara, he defends. Josh is bowling from a long run up and bowling bouncers. Pujara is not bothered at all. He has seen enough of this. He is on 23 off 69 balls.  He gets a single. That squares up Rahul but he manages to play it with soft hands on the ground.

00:32 IST: Rahul has certainly shifted gears in the last 12 balls. Keefe to Rahul, he defends. Will his fifty come up in this over, yes it does with a FOUR. Fifty up! But that is not it, he has to continue. That one keeps low but Rahul gets his bat down in time.

00:28 IST: Rahul off the inside edge, no runs. Jackson Bird is on the field. Rahul intentionally cuts over gully, FOUR. India have got a momentum they did not in the first session. Josh is surprised at Rahul’s audacity. Rahul thought of playing that but lets that go. He is more confident now. Smith must be ruing the drop catch. Rahul is on 46, just a hit away from a milestone. Rahul finally pulls with authority for a couple.

They finally get a move on.

00:25 IST: Keefe it is, Rahul may look for a big shot this over. He defends the first one. FOUR extras, it missed foxed everyone, may have been a wry low on Wade. Smith chases in vain.As expected Rahul goes big, sweep shot for SIX. We saw it coming, didn’t we? A productive over from India’s point of view, 11 off as Rahul picks a single of the last ball.

00:20 IST: Pujara solid in defense to Josh. Pujara looks well set. He lets that one go. Pujara has driven the ball well today. Pujara will be setting his eyes on a daddy hundred. Pujara is also being tested with the bouncers. Josh is dishing out a good mix. India trail by 231.

00:16 IST:  Pujara picks a single of Keefe. Rahul throws his bat at that but finds the fielder. Visitors have to cut off easy singles as Smith should have an eye on the scoreboard.

00:10 IST: Big Josh will continue. He has two slips and a gully, Rahul leaves that gleefully. Rahul doing some stretching, trying to his his screws tightened. Josh is now bowling a fourth stump line. Rahul plays an exquisite cover drive for a FOUR. India are away after lunch. Rahul has three half centuries in the series and has been one of India’s most consistent batsman this series. He is due for a big one, you get the feeling.

00:09 IST: Players have taken the field and Rahul will take strike.

Indian batsman should look to attack in the post lunch session, something that they could have done at Ranchi giving themselves more time to take twenty wickets. Check out Kuldeep Yadav’s tale and his moment when he met Virat Kohli. BCCI’s exclusive.

THATS LUNCH GENTLEMEN!

11:28 IST: Surely this has to be the last over. Lyon has the ball. Rahul should show maturity and take India to lunch with no more casualties. Rahul works it on the leg side for a single.

11:27 IST: And finally Keefe is here, Pujara hits him for a FOUR. Keefe has not got a good start. Pujara knows it is the last over and hence he defends and defends.

11:23 IST: Pujara continues merrymaking, picks up a  single. This could be the penultimate over before lunch. Lyon is bowling probing lines asking questions all the time.

11:18 IST: Pujara glances that of his hips for a couple, good commitment by Josh to save the boundary. Every run is important. Pujara is back to his good ol ways of leaving balls. He gets one on his legs and clips it for a single.

11:14 IST: Lyon to Pujara, he is getting some bounce but not much to trouble Pujara. Pujara plays it backward of point to pick up a single. Over to Rahul. It is a spread out field for Rahul, in-out field to be precise. Rahul drives on the off side to get a single. This has been the highlight of this partnership, rotation of strike.

11:10 IST: Rahul is ready to leave, probably he has his sights set on lunch. The right way to approach this situation with the amount to time still left. They still persist with the leg slip against Rahul. Rahul has grown as a cricketer in this series one feels. He is the future of the country.

11:06 IST: Lyon is bowling the right line outside the off stump drawing Pujara forward. But Pujara will keep on defending.

11:02 IST: Cummins has really worked up good pace, will Keefe get a feel before lunch? Rahul chases a wide half volley, lucky not to have got a bat to it. If India can go into lunch with just one wicket lost, it would be India’s session. Ruhul hits Cummins straight back down the ground for a FOUR. Fifty up!

10:59 IST: Lyon is bowling, Rahul gets a single of his first ball. Pujara too gets a single. This is good batting. Lyon is having to adjust all the time. Pujara has looked busy ever since he came in. This pitch should be suiting him. Pujara leaves one close to the wickets, that is judgement you see.

10:54 IST: Pujara again gets a single of the first ball, this is world class. Rahul knows bouncers are coming. Cummins is bowling flat out but one feels he is becoming predictable. A risky glance but he gets a FOUR. There was a leg slip hence Cummins was looking for something like that. And then the over pitched ball, but Rahul was ready for it. Rahul is now showing grit and believe, you can make that out from his body language.

10: 50 IST: Pujara gets a single and that has been the USP of his innings. He needs to stay. Rahul sweeps not in control yet splits the field to get a FOUR. This was coming you could sense it from a mile. Rahul cuts one close to his body, streaky but he picks two valuable runs.

10:45 IST: Pujara picks up a single at least he is not getting bottled up at one end. Rahul must be itching to get going with some momentum. Rahul has been sedate according to his standards. He has already got a life. A very attacking field for Rahul. He is not a good puller of the ball and Australia have gauged that.

10:41 IST: Rahul steps out hits it but finds the fielder. He then picks a single on the leg side. Quick single taken by Pujara. This is good cricket.

10:37 IST: It is big Josh and he is looking to pepper Pujara with short pitch stuff. Josh has a wry smile at Pujara. All of this will never bother the wall. Josh is getting the ball to come into Pujara now, he can really make the ball talk. No signs of Keefe yet. India trail by 269 runs.

1032 IST: Will Smith go to Stephen O’Keefe? Its DRINKS!! The first hour is done and it has belonged to the visitors.

10:28 IST: Pujara drops and picks a single in the off side. This is good rotation of the strike. There is a leg slip for Rahul. Is a double bluff on the cards? They are going for the attack against Rahul. They believe he is vulnerable with the short ball. That was the perfume ball from Cummins, Rahul must have smelt leather as he left it.

10:22 IST: Pujara disciplined as ever lets that go outside the off stump. Rahane is slated to come in next. Even Bhuvi can bat and Kuldeep. Pujara defends, presenting the full face of the bat. Josh is really bending his back for that something extra, this is good commitment. Pujara is getting the sight screen adjusted. He is particular about these things. India will want him to get a daddy hundred. All is ready, on the pads, Pujara picks up a single by flicking it to fine leg.

10:17 IST: Pujara and Rahul have been involved in partnerships in the home season, hence they would thrive in each-others company. Back to pace, Lyon is off, Cummins is back. It seems Cummins would be used in short bursts today. Edged, but it flies past Smith for FOUR. Rahul living streaky.  That flew. And they were doing slip catching drills in the morning, so not walking the talk is Steven Smith. Only time will tell how crucial that drop will be. The pacers have bothered the Indians and have bowled ferociously.

10:12 IST: Hazlewood is bowling consistent lines, Murali Vijay gets a feather and India lose their first wicket. OUT. India will have a new number 3 Cheteshwar Pujara. Pujara is the key wicket here in Virat’s absence. Pujara is off and away in style, a glorious FOUR.


10:08 IST: Vijay like Laxman is an artist with a brush painting a canvas. Lyon nearly gets through Rahul. Lyon is getting over spin and Rahul is happy to knock it down the ground for no runs. Rahul will attack Lyon, sooner than later. Looks to pierce the cover fielder fails. Rahul plays out a maiden.

10:04 IST: Vijay is happy leaving balls. And then a ball that is slightly over pitched, he leans into the ball, FOUR! Vijay has been consistent as an opener this season. Didn’t carry or Vijay was on his way, he survives another scare. Remember, a cat has nine lives.

9:59 IST: Quick reminder, yesterday Ravichandran Ashwin broke Dale Steyn’s record of most wickets in a season. Lyon is here. Rahul greets him with an extra cover drive, FOUR. Good morning, Lyon! Attacking Lyon seems to be a ploy from the Indians, we will have to wait and watch. It is a classical in-out field. Vijay looking to be cautious against Lyon, trying to understand what he is trying, gets a single of the last ball.

9:55 IST: Solid in defense is Vijay. Vijay and Rahul have to put their heads at the job at hand, which is to bat, bat and bat. Oh, look at that, Vijay is so happy to be leaving balls. He can do it all day long. Well left!

In another match, this is what Tom Latham did: Watch it to believe it:

9: 51 IST: Cummins is back. Vijay is living on thin ice. Consistent bowling from the Aussie paces, asking questions all the time. Rahul drops and runs, quick single taken. They have to rely on singles and rotation of strike. Bouncer to Vijay, he is comfortable ducking. Glanced away to fine leg for a single, that is where he likes it.

9:46IST: That beats Vijay all ends up, what a ball. On a good length and holding its line. Josh is bowling with a big heart. That was an unplayable ball. Bouncer well ducked, mixing his length up, keeping the batsman guessing. Look at the ball thudd into the keepers gloves. Steady in defense is Vijay. India need to blunt the shine of the ball. What a ball, misses the outside edge of the bat. 

Good quality pace bowling by the Aussies!

9:40 IST: Cummins is back, but what a shot last over by Vijay, head nicely on top, watching the ball till the last minute, Virat Kohli stood up applauding that. How can you keep him out of the game. Rahul is also taking a leaf out of Vijay’s book and leaving balls. Boucer well left by Rahul, dropping his wrists at the last instance. That is 147 kmph, fast.

9:36 IST: Josh too will be bowling probing lengths and it is going to be a test for the Indian openers. Straying leg side  on the legs of Rahul, he flicks it for three runs, this is good. Uppish by Vijay, just short of Warner. Nearly! Pujara is padded up in the dressing room. Josh is getting immense bounce of the wicket but that will not hassle Vijay. Vijay leaves another one, there is a bit of spongy bounce it seems, great leave by Vijay. That is elegance personified from Vijay, FOUR.

It has to be big Josh!

9:30IST: All in readiness, Vijay will be on strike and Cummins will have the ball. This is going to be fascinating. Vijay will be looking to leave balls outside off stump. Can’t get a bigger Test, all in the line. Vijay gets a feel of the ball on the bat, off the mark straight away, good calling, good soft hands shown. India are away! Rahul off-the mark as well, they must be so relieved after thinking thinking about getting off the mark in the morning. Vijay is back to leaving balls. Vijay is happy leaving.

Hello and welcome to inUths’s coverage of the ongoing fourth Test between India and Australia. This is day 2.

Pitch: VVS Laxman feels it is going to be a great wicket to bat on but they have to see of the first hour first.

Ravi Shastri: India will score 75-80 runs for the loss of two wickets in the first session.

Today beckons to be a Sunday blockbuster as the hosts will be batting. The decider started yesterday and 22-year old Kuldeep Yadav was a handful, picking four wickets on debut and dismissing Australia for 300. India will hope they have got off to the right start. With time not being a factor, India will hope for a massive first innings lead and will hope they do not have to bat again. For that Pujara, Vijaya and Rahul will have to stand tall and deliver. From India’s point of view, there are no demons in the pitch so that will be good. The visitors played some lose shots and there was some great bowling by the Indians. Kuldeep Yadav in particular was unplayable. The finger spinners did not create an impact but the wrist spinner did and how. Steve Smith displayed class again getting to a hundred before Nelson bit him and he was out for 111. It seemed he was batting on a different planet. Virat Kohli, who is not playing the Test was also seen carrying drinks with some information on the field apart from speaking to Kuldeep in the boundary lines. Aussies were seen doing some slip sharpening in the morning as well. They are expecting Pat Cummins to run riot.

Playing XI India: Lokesh Rahul, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane(c), Karun Nair, Ravichandran Ashwin, Wriddhiman Saha(wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav

Playing XI Australia: Matt Renshaw, David Warner, Steven Smith(c), Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade(wk), Pat Cummins, Steve O’Keefe, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

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