Opener Murali Vijay cracked a fluent 144 as India put up a solid batting display to take honours on the opening day of the second cricket Test against Australia.
Powered by Vijay's knock, India reached a comfortable 311 for four at close of play on day one. Vijay, who missed his century by one run in the second innings at Adelaide, notched up his fifth Test ton and looked at ease handling the Australian pacers.
Vijay was dropped twice by Shaun Marsh off paceman Mitchell Johnson, but he capitalised on the reprieve by punishing the Australians with some fiesty strokes.The Chennai batsman got good support from Ajinkya Rahane (batting 75) as the duo shared a 124-run stand for the fourth wicket, with the Australian pacers struggling to find any rhythm in the hot and humid conditions. Read more
Rahane and Sharma remain unbeaten having scored 75 and 26 respectively.
82 overs- 308/4
81 overs- 308/4. Hohnson was expensive this over (10 runs).
Johnson is wasting the new ball. I dont see any point in playing him in next match. He hs zero effect in this series till nw #IndvsAus
— smarak pattnaik (@iamsmack) December 17, 2014
The twitterati cannot stop raving about the good performance of Indian batsmen.
300 comes up for India. Partnership looking good. 8 overs to end of play. These two should look India through. #INDvsAUS
— Debasish Sahoo (@dudul98) December 17, 2014
Marvellous shot from @ajinkyarahane88 ,Delight to watch him play #IndvsAus
— Ashwin (@Vishnu31369136) December 17, 2014
79 overs- 294/4
India have done well on a pitch that had bounce, movement. Murali Vijay's fine knock put India in a comfortable position.
Rahane- 62 off 111 balls, Rohit- 22 off 21 balls
David Warner bowling on the first day of a Test match & bowling a bouncer was highly unimaginable. Thank you, Smith. #IndvsAus
— Priyank J Shah (@Cric_PJS) December 17, 2014
New Skipper, pathetic over-rate. It seems Smith will need some time to adjust with this new role. #INDvsAUS @stevesmith49
— Masud Vorajee (@masudvorajee) December 17, 2014
76 overs- 277/4
Go Rohit!!! But don't lose the grip in hitting! #INDvsAUS
— Anshika Agarwal (@anshika_06) December 17, 2014
Rahane-55 off 99, Rohit Sharma- 13 off 14.
OUT! 71.5 overs- M Vijay st Haddin b Lyon 144 off 213b. A well-played knock by Vijay.
Rush of blood overtakes patience.... #MuraliVijay stumped after a brilliant 144 #IndvsAus
— Ananthaforu (@Ananthaforu) December 17, 2014
and Mr.Rohit sharma comes in.. will he survive till stumps.. ? #INDvsAUS
— spandanknr (@spandanknr) December 17, 2014
Vijay comes down the track and goes for the big hit again as he tried to make room to go over mid-off. Haddin collects that and makes the easy stumping.
71 overs- 261/3
Half century! Rahane scores a well-fought 50 off 85 balls
Rahane scoring pattern has a Jayawardene-like feel, you never notice when he moves from a slow start to a fifty... #IndvsAus
— Abhijit Banare (@AbhijitVirgo) December 17, 2014
Wow, Rahane has just reached 50 without anyone noticing. Class knock! Kick on & make it big, fella! #IndvsAus
— Srini Mama (@SriniMama16) December 17, 2014
67 overs- 240/3
Rahane getting up! Come on boy. 40* #INDvsAUS
— Shreya (@SIN_drella13) December 17, 2014
Vijay- 135 off 201 balls, Rahane 40 off 71 balls
India has upper hand this test as Msd comes back,Clark is Not there and now Marsh Also being injured #INDvsAUS #AUSvsIND ind 224-3
— Naresh (@NareshKankaria) December 17, 2014
64 overs- 22/3
Vijay and Rahane score 127 and 31 respectively. Stand together as a resolute force to keep Australian bolwers at bay.
Murali Vijay now becomes the first visiting opener to score a Test 100 on the opening day at Gabba #INDvsAUS
— Shanaya (@Sinceere_Angel) December 17, 2014
60 overs- 202/3
Rahane- 15 off 38 balls, Vijay- 123 off 193
First Rahul Dravid then VVS Laxman and now Murali Vijay, established that Kangaroos are basically a South Indian dish #INDvsAUS
— Ankiit Koomar (@AnkiitKoomar) December 17, 2014
58 overs- 186/3
CENTURY for Murali Vijay. He scores a brilliant knock. A great feeling for Vijay as he scores a ton in the backdrop of his dismissal on 99 in the first test in Adelaide.
Murali Vijay has been a revelation. Seemed destined to be an IPL basher, deserves huge credit for developing Test-quality grit. #AUSvIND
— Alt Cricket (@AltCricket) December 17, 2014
Boys score centuries in India, men score in Australia #muralivijay
— Ra_Bies (@Ra_Bies) December 17, 2014
55 overs- 171/3.
Vijay moves to 92, while Rahane is on 14 as the batsmen seem to cement a partnership against a persevering Australian bowling attack.
TEA- 52 overs- 151/3
Session 2 Day 1- 62 runs, two wickets
Not a good session for India.. Have to play really good in the last one of the day to go into a good position overall. #INDvsAUS #fb
— Arpit Raha (@arpitraha) December 17, 2014
51 overs- 150/3
Rahane- 12 off 23, Vijay 73 off 153
India need to stay put after losing Dhawan, Pujara and Kohli early on Day 1.
Change of bowling marked by the introduction of Shane Watson.
47 overs- 144/3
WICKET! Virat Kohli is latest vicitm to be dismissed by Hazlewood. Kohli nicks one to wicketkeeper Haddin. The extra bounce caused him to edge an incoming delivery to the keeper. V Kohli 19 off 27 balls
The Bendemeer Bolt strikes again! Hazlewood cleans up the Indian skipper Virat Kohli! Go you good thing! #INDvsAUS #cricketaus
— Northern DailyLeader (@The_NDL) December 17, 2014
9:42 IST Wednesday, 17 December 2014
43 overs- 136/2
Kohli- 18 off 24 balls, Vijay- 72 off 131 balls
Last time we missed to see a century from #MuraliVijay. We expect one from today's day #INDvsAUS
— Saidharshan Jeya (@J_Dharshan) December 17, 2014
And Jai Ho MulirVijay.... Be there and hit a double ton #IndVsAus #Cricket
— ѕтυ∂єит σf ℓιfє (♎) (@AroraBoyLucky) December 17, 2014
38 overs- 115/2. Kohli- 9 off 13, Vijay- 60 off 112
34 overs- 101/2
Virat Kohli comes in to bat after an error-ridden dismissal that rule Pujara out.
CA Pujara c Haddin b Hazlewood 18 off 64
OUT! Cheteshwar Pujara walks back. Dismissed for 18 by Hazlewood after his high-pitched delivery hits Pujara's helmet and is caught behind by Haddin. That was a poor decision from Ian Gould! Pujara stood there for a while and expressed amazement, because it went straight off his helmet.
Indian Cricket HAS ALWAYS BEEN A VICTIM OF REALLY POOR UMPIRING DOWN UNDER. FEELING DISGUSTED ABOUT THAT.Hw Long To DRS @BCCI ??? #INDvsAUS
— YASH AGARWAL. (@Yash_Agarwal97) December 17, 2014
Perhaps Ian Gould has decided to teach BCCI a lesson for opposing DRS.Poor decisions in both tests so far #INDvsAUS
— Rakesh Kamboj (@rakeshkamboj) December 17, 2014
8:47 IST Wednesday, 17 December 2014
31 overs- 100/1
Hundred runs come up for India. Impressive batting efforts seen at Gabba
Mitch Marsh having fitness woes.
Mitchell Marsh has left the field with right hamstring soreness,currently being assessed by medical staff #INDvsAUS pic.twitter.com/kje8nL0EBo
— Focus News (@FocusNewsIndia) December 17, 2014
29 overs-97/1. Its a maiden over but Mitchell Jnson still lacks the aggression.
That's @mvj888 's 9 th Test 50.. 3 rd in this series ( Hat Trick ) 4 th Vs #Australia #INDvsAUS congrats cap pic.twitter.com/uLa3BabHVb
— Pisasu Bala (@PoetBala) December 17, 2014
There's so much surety n calmness when #vijay is in the centre. #INDvsAUS
— Praveen (@praveenjammy) December 17, 2014
26 overs- 95/1
HALF CENTURY for Murali Vijay. 52 off 80 balls. The right-handed batsman continues to display some fine batting on a bouncy Gabba track.
India have had a fruitful and a productive session, just the kind of session they would have wanted after choosing to bat. After MS Dhoni won the toss, the batsmen have backed their skipper. Apart from a few close shaves Indian batsmen haven't been troubled as India batted well for most of the part.
Finally we have won the first session of a test match. Now don't let this advantage go. #INDvsAUS
— Gaurav Mishra (@megauravmishra2) December 17, 2014
Where is the Johnson of The Ashes. Expensive and ineffective yet again. #INDvsAUS
— Falcao In Chains (@devash1sh) December 17, 2014
Lunch- Day 1
25 overs- 89/1
India won the toss and elected to bat, having lost Shikhar Dhawan early while Murali Vijay remains unbeaten on 46.
Good session for India. 89/1 Just lost dhawan. #IndvsAus
— Sakshi. (@KohliLove_x) December 17, 2014
23 overs- 86/1
Vijay- 46 off 72 balls, Pujara- 12 off 27 balls
Nathan Lyon comes into the bowling attack. Lyon has 15 wickets at Brisbane in three tests previously played.
19 overs- 72/1
Josh Hazlewood bowls a brilliant maiden over.
16 overs- 64/1. Vijay- 39 off 50 balls, Pujara- 1 off 7 balls
What a pitch at Gabba!! Pacey and bouncy! #IndvsAus
— Peeyush Agarwal (@Peeyush3Agarwal) December 17, 2014
Meanwhile hopes continue to be pinned on Murali Vijay
What a pitch at Gabba!! Pacey and bouncy! #IndvsAus
— Peeyush Agarwal (@Peeyush3Agarwal) December 17, 2014
And he perishes again. Wonder what kind of mental block shikhar dhawan has when he is in his 20s #INDvsAUS @ESPNcricinfo
— Sravan (@papps_gunner) December 17, 2014
WICKET! Shikhar Dhawan gets out in the 20's again! 24 off 39 balls. He nicks one to glovesman Brad Haddin off a Mitch Marsh delivery
India reaches the 50-run partnership
This is the first time I am seeing Indian batsman fetched a fifty run partnership since my birth in overseas conditions.. #IndvsAus
— Jayavasanthakumar.. (@VasanthJVK) December 17, 2014
What a treat. Home late, turn telly on & it's day one from the Gabba & #India batting nicely #INDvsAUS
— Steve Busfield (@Busfield) December 17, 2014
New captain Steve Smith has already used four new bowlers since morning
DRINKS BREAK
12 overs- 49/0
11 overs- 44/0
Steady start by India at the Gabba. Hope they can properly build on it now. #INDvsAUS
— Kabir Taneja (@KabirTaneja) December 17, 2014
So far so good. #INDvsAUS Hoping to go on with the same rhythm.
— Atheist R B (@_iBiker_) December 17, 2014
9 overs- 36/0
Vijay- 25 off 34 balls, Dhawan 11 off 20 balls.
Dhawan and Vijay have been getting starts, but haven't crossed 50 outside the subcontinent. pic.twitter.com/nSCdokbI33
— Bowlers' Game (@bowlersgame) December 17, 2014
I'd sincerely love to see Dhawan score big today. Let's go! #INDvsAUS at the #Gabba What a lovely pitch! Bouncy but playable for the batsmen
— Jayanth Kumar A K (@jayanthkumarak) December 17, 2014
As if the bowling by Australian bowlers was not intimidating enough!
Johnson seems fired up. And is that end called 'vulture st. end'. Wow. #INDvsAUS
— Bowlers' Game (@bowlersgame) December 17, 2014
Mitchell Starc brought into the attack.
6 overs- 17/0.
"Watch the ball mate, don't worry about anything else," says Mitchell Johnson to Murali Vijay. #AUSvIND #stumpmic
— Alt Cricket (@AltCricket) December 17, 2014
India: 4 overs- 8/0.
Murali Vijay 7 off 16 balls, Shikhar Dhawan- 1 off 8 balls.
Josh Hazlewood bowls a maiden over. And he's already justifying his selection.
Had the honour of presenting Josh Hazelwood with his Baggy Green this morning, no. 440 Test cricketer for Australia #AUSvIND
— Glenn McGrath (@glennmcgrath11) December 17, 2014
Australia trying to rattle Indian batsmen through early bouncers.
Toss- India have won the toss and chose to bat. There will be three changes Mahendra Singh Dhoni, R. Ashwin and Umesh Yadav are in for Wriddhiman Saha, Karn Sharma and Mohammed Shami.
We'll win this series #believe #INDvsAUS
— Anusha (@CraaaazyDaaaisy) December 16, 2014
Team Australia- CJL Rogers, DA Warner, SR Watson, SPD Smith*, SE Marsh, MR Marsh, BJ Haddin†, MG Johnson, MA Starc, NM Lyon, JR Hazlewood
Team India- Murali Vijay, Shikhar Dhawan, CA Pujara, V Kohli, AM Rahane, RG Sharma, MS Dhoni*†, R Ashwin, I Sharma, VR Aaron, UT Yadav
Welcome to the coverage of the second Test between India and Australia, which begins at 5:30 am IST in Brisbane. India lost the first Test by 48 runs but came out of it with their heads held high, owing to their decision to go for a win on the last day instead of a draw.
Nevertheless, the stark reality is that India are 0-1 down in the series. Also, while Kohli and Vijay batted well, India as a unit put up quite an average performance at Adelaide. Here's India's performance analysis for the 1st Test.
Virat Kohli was enormously impressive at the Adelaide Oval, cracking twin centuries and leading his team in a stunning chase. But MS Dhoni will play the second Test and will take back the captaincy from Kohli. For Australia, Steven Smith will replace Michael Clarke as captain, the latter being out with an injury.
The wicket at the Gabba in Brisbane offers a lot of bounce, and Australia have not lost their last 24 Tests on this ground. It is indeed a fortress for the home team and India will find it difficult to break down the walls.
India will mull the option of going in with four pacers, by including Umesh Yadav into the attack. If not, either of Varun Aaron or Mohammad Shami will have to sit out. In this case, it will be interesting to see if Dhoni replaces Karn Sharma with R Ashwin as the spinning option.
The visitors will also wonder whether to bring in Suresh Raina for the struggling Rohit Sharma, but then Raina himself is not known to be a great player of the short ball, which will be an issue in Brisbane.
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