| 0.0 : Oh, this feeling of nostalgia. There's something special about covering or watching a Test match played Down Under. This is the first occasion in my lifetime, India are starting as favourites. They're supposed to win their first-ever Test series in Australia and more than their ranking and recent supremacy in this format, it's because the Aussies are a depleted unit. The Kohli-led team though has tried its best to downplay the situation by calling the Kangaroos a tough nut to crack in their own |
| The first match of a series is always gripping. Just like a blank canvas with an artist waiting to work on it. You never know what is to come. Hello and welcome to our coverage. It's game time. Australia go in with the extra specialist batsman while for the visitors it's going to be a shootout between Rohit and Vihari. Never before have India come Down Under and been favorites as we mentioned earlier but no game has ever been won on paper. Both teams have a lot to prove and it will certainly tak |
| Pitch report - Brendon Julian is near the playing area giving his thoughts about the surface. Starts by informing that the drop-in pitch has been used in Adelaide for the last 5 years. Adds that there is a good covering of grass and it will seam a little bit at the start but it will be slow on the first day. Mentions that the surface will quicken up as the Test progresses. Advises that as a batsman, if you get through the first hour, sessions 2 and 3, followed by the next two days will be a batt |
| TOSS - India have won the toss and will bat first. |
| India's skipper, Virat Kohli says that they will bat first. Mentions that the pitch is nice and hard with a nice covering of grass. States that adding runs on the board is always handy. Reckons that this is a difficult challenge to play in Australia. Further says that they are not taking anything for granted and lightly. On him playing in Adelaide, he says that he loves coming here and getting runs. Ends by saying that Rohit Sharma gets the nod as he can play aggressive cricket towards the end a |
| Australia's skipper, Tim Paine says that he would have batted too. Mentions that the boys are excited and are up for the challenge. On his playing XI, he informs that the three fast bowlers and Lyon can do the job for them. On their batting, he replies that they have had good domestic seasons and are in form. |
| The players are out in the centre for the national anthem. We're minutes away from the first ball. |
| Out come the Australian players on the field. Murali Vijay and KL Rahul are the Indian openers. Mitchell Starc has the brand new cherry in his hand. Three slips and a gully in place along with a short leg. It's show time... |
| 0.1 : M Starc to Rahul, First ball of the series is nice and straight on a good length, KL Rahul gets behind the line and blocks it safely. |
| 0.2 : M Starc to Rahul, Serves it further up, nice and full outside off, not much swing. Rahul tries to drive but gets an inside edge onto the pads. |
| 0.3 : M Starc to Rahul, Great leave! Starc pitches it on a length just outside off and it nips back in a shade. Rahul takes a stride forward to cover the line and then shoulders arms. |
| 0.4 : M Starc to Rahul, India are off the mark! Starc spears in a full length delivery on middle at 144.5 kph, Rahul flicks it off his pads through mid-wicket for a couple of runs. |
| 0.5 : M Starc to Rahul, This one is very full, almost lands behind the stump line, Rahul has nothing to do with it. |
| 0.6 : M Starc to Rahul, Zippy delivery, on a length outside off, Rahul strides forward and then lets it go at the last moment. Good beginning, for both teams. |
| Josh Hazlewood to share the new ball from the other end. |
| 1.1 : J Hazlewood to Vijay, Nice start from Josh. Bowls it full and angling in around off, Vijay is forward just a bit as he defends. |
| 1.2 : J Hazlewood to Vijay, Bat-pad but it's wide of short leg. Nervy start for Murali. This one seams back in from a length around off. Vijay tries to defend it with a straight bat but it takes the inside half of the bat and pops out off his pads. |
| 1.3 : J Hazlewood to Vijay, This is extraordinary bowling. Last delivery nipping back in, this one left the batsman. It pitches around off and moves away, Vijay pushes inside the line without much footwork and is beaten. |
| 1.4 : J Hazlewood to M Vijay, Shaping back into the batsman, Vijay goes at it with soft hands and gets an inside edge. It probably brushes his pads and rolls towards wide mid on. Vijay is off the mark with a single. |
| 1.5 : J Hazlewood to Rahul, Good length delivery angling down the leg side, Rahul tries working it around but misses. |
| 1.6 : J Hazlewood to L Rahul, OUT! Rahul is caught at third slip! Early blow to India. This is beautiful bowling by Hazlewood. He's getting the ball to move both ways and hunts down one of the Indian openers. Serves it full enough outside off to entice a drive from Rahul. But it's an away swinger which takes a thick outside edge and settles into the big hands of Finch. KL's poor form continues. |
| Cheteshwar Pujara is the number 3 batsman. |
| 2.1 : M Starc to Vijay, Beaten! Angling away from the batsman, on a length and leaving the batsman, Vijay has a tentative push inside the line and misses. |
| 2.2 : M Starc to Vijay, Lovely delivery and nicely played too. Full and on middle, shaping back in, Vijay works it behind square leg and takes a single. |
| 2.3 : M Starc to Pujara, Lands it on a length outside off, Pujara with an unsure footwork defends it back. His front foot went nowhere. |
| 2.4 : M Starc to Pujara, Building good pace, Starc. Slants across a short length delivery outside off, at 145.6 kph, Pujara allows it through. |
| 2.5 : M Starc to Pujara, Another delivery in the corridor of uncertainty, leaving the batsman with the angle, Che guards his stumps and makes a leave. |
| 2.6 : M Starc to Pujara, Inswinger, pitching full and on middle, Pujara flicks it across the line behind square leg. The fine leg fielder cuts it off and Che is off the mark with a single. |
| 3.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Angles in a full length ball on middle and leg, Pujara plays it off his pads towards mid on. |
| 3.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, The line is straight from Josh, Pujara rotates his wrists and works it towards short leg. Harris there fails to stop it and it deflects towards mid-wicket. Pujara completes a run. |
| 3.3 : J Hazlewood to Vijay, Tennis ball bounce there. Jumping onto the batsman from a back of a length around off, Vijay is on his toes as he defends it down. |
| 3.4 : J Hazlewood to Vijay, Nicely played! Full and swinging in from outside off, Vijay takes a confident stride forward and defends it to covers. |
| 3.5 : J Hazlewood to Vijay, Identical to the last delivery, once again Vijay is quite solid in his forward defense. |
| 3.6 : J Hazlewood to M Vijay, Movement back into the batsman from around off, Vijay tries to defend but gets an inside edge. It rolls to mid-wicket. End of another good over by Hazlewood. |
| 4.1 : M Starc to Pujara, Puts it on a length outside off, angling away from the batsman, Pujara allows it through. |
| 4.2 : M Starc to Pujara, Once again Starc probes around with a length delivery in the outside off channel, Pujara is very watchful as he leaves again. |
| 4.3 : M Starc to Pujara, Beaten this time! Third delivery in a row is in the off stump channel and going across the batsman with the left-armer's angle. Pujara with no footwork pushes inside the line and misses. |
| 4.4 : M Starc to Pujara, This one is dug in short and wide outside off, an easy leave this time for Pujara. |
| 4.5 : M Starc to Pujara, Bouncer, well-directed, Pujara fends it away off his gloves. Luckily it doesn't carry to the backward short leg fielder who is standing a few steps behind than the usual position. |
| 4.6 : M Starc to Pujara, Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. Testing over by Starc! |
| 5.1 : J Hazlewood to Vijay, That's a good patient leave. Hazlewood lands it on a length outside off and it holds its line after pitching, Vijay has nothing to do with it. |
| 5.2 : J Hazlewood to Vijay, Back of a length delivery outside off, Vijay leans back a bit and then makes a leave. |
| 5.3 : J Hazlewood to M Vijay, Delightful drive. Hazlewood bowls it full and around off, Vijay strokes it through extra cover for a couple of runs. Australia won't mind a batsman driving at this stage with the ball moving around. |
| 5.4 : J Hazlewood to Vijay, In the channel outside off, Murali shoulders arms. |
| 5.5 : J Hazlewood to Vijay, FOUR! First boundary of this Test match! A loose one though. Vijay is caught playing away from his body. It's full and wide outside off, Murali chases it and slices his drive off the outside half. Luckily for him, it goes aerially but safely through backward point for a boundary. |
| 5.6 : J Hazlewood to Vijay, Straighter delivery, Vijay tucks it behind square leg and keeps strike with himself. |
| 6.1 : M Starc to Vijay, Good length delivery on middle and off, Vijay is firmly on the back foot as he blocks it down safely. |
| 6.2 : M Starc to Vijay, Wrong line this time. On a good length and sliding down the leg side, Vijay tries flicking but misses. |
| 6.3 : M Starc to Vijay, Action replay of the previous delivery. Another one drifting down the leg side as Starc is unable to control his line. Murali once again fails to get any wood behind it. |
| 6.4 : M Starc to Vijay, Shortish and wide outside off, Murali shoulders arms. |
| 6.5 : M Starc to M Vijay, Ooohhh...a rising delivery. Climbing onto the batsman around off, Vijay does well to fend at it with soft hands. As a result, the outside edge doesn't carry and speeds past the diving gully fielder. The batsmen have picked up a couple of runs. |
| 6.6 : M Starc to Vijay, OUT! It's edged behind! Murali Vijay is gone. Starc jumps in joy. India have lost both their openers, cheaply. Mitch has been mixing up his length quite nicely. He follows up the previous one by serving a juicy full delivery outside off. Vijay is lured into the drive but the ball doesn't come back in enough, takes the outside edge and goes into the gloves of Paine. He was nowhere near to the delivery, his front foot went missing. Vijay is on his way back. Best possible sta |
| In walks India's talisman who just loves playing at the Adelaide Oval - Virat Kohli. |
| 7.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Bowls it outside off, Pujara allows it through. |
| 7.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, A firm flick by Pujara which goes behind square leg after hitting the short leg fielder. They cross for a run. |
| 7.3 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Fuller and angling in, Kohli defends it towards mid-wicket. |
| 7.4 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Off the mark is the Indian skipper. Just tucks a shortish delivery on the leg side, finds the gap and runs across to the other end. |
| 7.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 7.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Shortish around off, it's blocked in the direction of wide mid on. |
| 8.1 : M Starc to Kohli, This is the contest we all were waiting for. Starc vs Kohli. It begins with a short delivery around off, angling away, Kohli sways away from the line of fire. |
| 8.2 : M Starc to Kohli, On a good length this time, Kohli flicks it off his pads to the leg side but finds the mid-wicket fielder. |
| 8.3 : M Starc to Kohli, A crisp drive from Kohli but that will encourage Starc. He got the Indian skipper playing away from the body. Fuller and outside off, at 147.9 kph, Kohli plays the drive square of the field on the off side. Straight to the point fielder. |
| 8.4 : M Starc to Kohli, Shortish and outside off, Kohli chooses to leave it. |
| 8.5 : M Starc to Kohli, Pitches it on a length and outside off, Kohli takes a stride forward and tries to push it through covers. But it comes off the inner half of the bat and rolls in the direction of mid off. |
| 8.6 : M Starc to Kohli, A little short in length around middle, Kohli goes on his toes and nicely works it in the gap at mid-wicket for a run. |
| 9.1 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Digs in a bouncer, Kohli sits underneath it comfortably. |
| 9.2 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Good length delivery in the zone outside off, Kohli strides forward to cover the line and shoulders arms. |
| 9.3 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Back of a length delivery on off, Kohli stays back and taps it down to backward point. |
| 9.4 : J Hazlewood to V Kohli, Edgy! Just a hint of late movement. Hazlewood gets this ball around off, Kohli plays inside the line with soft hands and it goes off the outside edge towards gully. |
| 9.5 : J Hazlewood to Kohli, Movement off the seam. Once again Josh is asking the question. This one nips back in from a good length outside off, Kohli is forward and hangs his bat out in defense. But it takes the inside edge and squirts behind square leg for a run. |
| 9.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Quite wide outside off, Pujara is in no mood to chase it away from his body. |
| First bowling change. It's time to unleash Pat Cummins into the attack. |
| 10.1 : Pat Cummins to Kohli, Full and outside off, Virat draws forward and defends it on the leg side. |
| 10.2 : Pat Cummins to V Kohli, Once again keeps it full and around off, Kohli comes on the front foot again and pushes it to covers. |
| 10.3 : Pat Cummins to V Kohli, OUT! Stunner by Khawaja to remove India's best batsman! You need something incredible to dismiss Virat Kohli. Australia are ecstatic, they know the value of this wicket. India in deep trouble. Once again an Indian batsman is caught playing away from the body. Cummins serves this one on a good length and outside off, Kohli goes for a drive and gets a big fat outside at backward point. Now, the real action begins. Khawaja is stationed there. It's to his stronger side. |
| Ajinkya Rahane is in next. |
| 10.4 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, A real gift to Rahane first up. A low full toss, Rahane drives it through covers for a couple of runs. |
| 10.5 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 10.6 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, In the channel outside off, left alone. |
| 11.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, A bit on the shorter side outside off, Pujara sways away from it. |
| 11.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, On a good length, closer to the off pole. Che tries guiding it past gully but cannot get it past him. |
| 11.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Mixes his length, pitches this one full and outside off, Pujara lets it be. |
| 11.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, FOUR! Shot, nicely played. The pressure is released, momentarily. Back of a length ball outside off, Pujara on his toes punches it behind backward point to earn himself a boundary. |
| 11.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Goes short outside off again, Pujara ducks to get under it. |
| 11.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Beauty! On a good length around off, Che comes forward to put bat to it but the ball nips back in and goes between bat and pad through to the keeper. |
| 12.1 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Length ball around off, Rahane leans ahead and pushes it to covers. |
| 12.2 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Good leave! On a good length around off, Rahane watches it carefully and shoulders his arms to it. |
| 12.3 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Back of a length ball aimed at the hips of Rahane who hops and tucks it onto the ground. |
| 12.4 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Good from Rahane. This one is fuller outside off, Rahane is not bothered to play at it. |
| 12.5 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Crowd catch! Fuller ball outside off. Rahane puts his bat down and plays at it and it goes straight to point but on the bounce. |
| 12.6 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Rahane picked that bouncer early and let it through to the keeper. |
| Drinks! What an hour of play for the Aussies. Couldn't have asked for a better start. 3 wickets which includes the big fish, Virat Kohli. India need to be patient. Too many loose shots have caused their downfall. |
| Time for some off spin! Nathan Lyon to roll his arm now. |
| 13.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Spin and bounce straightaway. Pujara tries defending but misses and is hit high on the pads. |
| 13.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Walks froward to flick but fails to middle his shot properly. |
| 13.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Once again Che uses his feet to an off spinning delivery and flicks it through mid-wicket for a run. |
| 13.4 : N Lyon to Rahane, In the air... DROPPED! Rahane gets an early reprieve. Keaton Jennings of late has made these catches look easy for England. Australia have seen Matt Renshaw also doing the same but he ain't playing. Another off spinner, turning back in with extra bounce, Rahane is well forward as he tries to flick but it goes uppishly and quickly towards short leg. Peter Handscomb fails to hold onto the catch and they cross. |
| 13.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Allows the ball to spin back in and defends it. |
| 13.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 14.1 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Full and around off, defended down from the crease. |
| 14.2 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, A length ball moving back into the batsman, Rahane pushes it off his pads to mid on. |
| 14.3 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, On a length outside off, Rahane punches it through extra cover for a couple of runs. |
| 14.4 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, It's been driven superbly through the covers. One run added to the total. |
| 14.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Length ball on middle, some extra bounce, Pujara gets back and taps it down to short leg. |
| 14.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Too full and pacey, at 146.2 kph, Pujara digs it out at the last moment. |
| 15.1 : N Lyon to Rahane, Turning back into the batsman from around off, Rahane goes deep inside the crease and defends it towards short leg. |
| 15.2 : N Lyon to Rahane, Jumps out of the crease to a full ball and pushes it off the inside edge to mid on. |
| 15.3 : N Lyon to Rahane, Flighted off spinner outside off, Rahane strides forward in defense. |
| 15.4 : N Lyon to Rahane, Rahane dances down the track but decides to defend it. |
| 15.5 : N Lyon to Rahane, SIX! This is what they have been trying to do. They don't want Nathan Lyon to settle down and hence using their feet a lot. Once again Rahane shimmies down the track to a full ball and swings it with the spin over mid-wicket. Interestingly, Jinx doesn't hit a lot of sixes in T20 cricket but has done so on the first morning of a Test match. Hmm... |
| 15.6 : N Lyon to Rahane, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 16.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Full and around off, angling in, Pujara leans forward and across before flicking it in the gap at mid-wicket for a run. A bit of an inside edge there. |
| 16.2 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, On a length and outside off this time, Rahane pushes it off his front foot to covers. |
| 16.3 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, A hint of extra bounce there from a length around off, Jinx defends it off his back foot. |
| 16.4 : Pat Cummins to A Rahane, Lands it on a length outside off, holding its line, Rahane pushes inside the line with gentle hands and it goes off the outer half of the bat to gully. |
| 16.5 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Tempting line, this. Full and outside off, there to be driven, but Rahane gets forward and allows it through. |
| 16.6 : Pat Cummins to Rahane, Another easy leave outside the off stump to end the over. |
| 17.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Loopy and spinning back in, Pujara tries defending but gets an inside edge onto the pads. |
| 17.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Tossed up and outside off, Che plays it down with an angled bat to point. |
| 17.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Works it with the turn to the on side but finds short leg. |
| 17.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, This time Pujara flicks it past short leg for a run. |
| 17.5 : N Lyon to Rahane, Uppish but wide of short leg this time! Tossed up ball on middle, an off spinner, Rahane tries working it around but it takes the inside edge onto his pads and flies past the outstretched left hand of short leg. Rahane is living dangerously. |
| 17.6 : N Lyon to Rahane, Rahane has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 18.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 18.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, In a good channel, Pujara chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 18.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, This one shoots off the surface. On a length outside off, Pujara shoulders arms. |
| 18.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, In the region outside off again, Pujara has nothing to do with it. |
| 18.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Good length ball on off, Pujara stays back footed in defense. |
| 18.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Skidding off the surface after landing on a good length around off. Pujara once again defends it from the crease to the on side. |
| 19.1 : N Lyon to Rahane, Jumps out of the crease to a full ball and bunts it wide of mid off for a brisk single. |
| 19.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Flighted off spinner around off, a bit on the shorter side, Pujara gets back and punches it back. |
| 19.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Leans forward to a full ball and defends it towards short leg. |
| 19.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Off spinner on the shorter side outside off, Pujara gets back and punches it square of the wicket on the off side for a run. |
| 19.5 : N Lyon to Rahane, Loopy full ball on off, Rahane lunges and defends it watchfully. |
| 19.6 : N Lyon to Rahane, Flighted one, full and around off, curling back in, Rahane draws forward and defends it well. |
| Bowling change. Josh Hazlewood is back to have another go. He was brilliant in his first spell. |
| 20.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Starts this spell with a length ball on middle and leg, going down with the angle, Pujara fails to flick and it goes off his pads to backward square leg. A leg bye taken. |
| 20.2 : J Hazlewood to A Rahane, OUT! Add another one to the tally for Australia. Like his teammates, Rahane has also gone chasing a wide delivery. Hazlewood just lands it on a length and wide outside off. Gets a hint of away movement as well. Rahane could have left it easily but goes after it away from his body. Tries driving without his front foot entirely forward and gets a big outside edge behind. Peter Handscomb makes no mistake (this time) at second slip. Good bowling change by Paine. India' |
| Rohit Sharma arrives in the middle with India in tatters. Can he transform his shorter version form in Tests? |
| 20.3 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, A bouncer to greet the new batsman, Rohit ducks underneath it rather uncomfortably. |
| 20.4 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Straighter in line, Rohit tucks it through square leg and is off the mark with a single. |
| 20.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 20.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, In the zone outside off, Pujara has nothing to do with it. |
| 21.1 : N Lyon to Sharma, Off spinner on leg, tucked away around the corner by Rohit. |
| 21.2 : N Lyon to Sharma, Gives this air on middle, Rohit plays it with a straight bat. |
| 21.3 : N Lyon to Sharma, On off, Sharma waits for it and taps it out. |
| 21.4 : N Lyon to Sharma, Loopy ball on middle and leg, Sharma gives it on the bounce to short leg. |
| 21.5 : N Lyon to Sharma, In line of the stump, Rohit bunts it down. |
| 21.6 : N Lyon to Sharma, In the air... taken! But off the pads. Flighted ball on middle, Rohit looks to turn this away but gets it off his thigh pad. The ball balloons in the air, Handscomb, from short leg takes it but the umpire is not interested. |
| 22.1 : J Hazlewood to C Pujara, Edged but safe! Full length ball around off, shaping away a bit, Pujara tries defending it with a straight bat but gets a soft outside edge behind. Luckily for him, it doesn't carry to the slip cordon. |
| 22.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Good length ball on off, defended off the back foot. |
| 22.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Hurls a length delivery in the channel outside off, it's left alone watchfully by Pujara. |
| 22.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Wrong line this time. Back of a length delivery around middle and leg, angling further down, Pujara lifts his bat and moves away from the line of ball. |
| 22.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Pitches it up and outside off, Pujara gets forward and defends it back. |
| 22.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Shortish and on middle, played down in front of short leg. |
| 23.1 : N Lyon to Sharma, Flighted and outside off, turning back in, Rohit goes back and punches it to covers. |
| 23.2 : N Lyon to Sharma, A touch flatter and shorter outside off, Sharma plays it late by opening the face of his bat. He runs it down in the direction of third man and takes a couple. |
| 23.3 : N Lyon to Sharma, Too full and outside off, driven off the front foot but straight to the cover fielder. |
| 23.4 : N Lyon to Sharma, FOUR! Loopy off spinner outside off, Rohit takes his front leg forward and drives it crisply on the up through covers. Finds the gap and fetches his first boundary. |
| 23.5 : N Lyon to Sharma, A back foot punch this time, towards extra cover and a single is picked. |
| 23.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Advances down the track to a full ball and brings his bat and pad together in defense. |
| Tim Paine is rotating his fast bowlers well here. He brings in Mitchell Starc after a short spell by Josh Hazlewood. |
| 24.1 : M Starc to Sharma, Starts with a shortish delivery in the zone outside off, Sharma allows it through. |
| 24.2 : M Starc to Sharma, This one is closer to the off stump line and on a fuller length. Rohit covers his stumps and then shoulders arms. |
| 24.3 : M Starc to Sharma, Angling across the batsman, wide outside off, Rohit makes yet another leave. |
| 24.4 : M Starc to R Sharma, Digs in a short ball around leg, Rohit moves inside the line of the delivery and helps his pull shot down to fine leg for a run. Didn't look entirely in control. 50 up for India! |
| 24.5 : M Starc to Pujara, Bouncer this time, Pujara safely ducks under it. |
| 24.6 : M Starc to Pujara, Full and on off, Pujara dead bats it. |
| Pat Cummins is brought back into the attack. A little over 5 minutes to go for Lunch. |
| 25.1 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, Rohit has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 25.2 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, An absolute beauty to beat Sharma all ends up. Late away movement there after it lands on a length around off. Rohit without any footwork tries playing at it and gets beaten. |
| 25.3 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, This time Sharma is nicely forward to a full ball and pushes it out on the off side. |
| 25.4 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, SIX! It has gone all the way! Kohli loves playing pull shots and this one is a shot of authority. Cummins digs it in, on middle and sits up nicely for the batsman. Rohit rides the bounce and pulls it in front of square leg for a biggie. Pat smiles and shares a few words with Sharma. It has begun. |
| 25.5 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, Soft outside edge. Back of a length delivery on off, Rohit stays back to play inside the line and does well to do so with gentle hands. The outside edge doesn't carry to the slip cordon. |
| Square leg drops back. |
| 25.6 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, Sharma has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 26.1 : M Starc to Pujara, Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 26.2 : M Starc to Pujara, Angling across the batsman, on a length outside off, Pujara takes a stride forward and then allows it through. |
| 26.3 : M Starc to Pujara, Third ball in a row lands in the same region. Pujara is also repeating his treatment. Left alone. |
| 26.4 : M Starc to Pujara, Make it four leaves but this one is a shorter one around off. Che drops his wrists, leans back and then allows it to the keeper. |
| 26.5 : M Starc to Pujara, The batsman lets the ball go outside his off stump. Showing good patience, Che. |
| 26.6 : M Starc to Pujara, Hurls in a length delivery outside off, Pujara has nothing to do with it. That will be Lunch on Day 1! |
| Excellent morning session for Australia! They lost the toss but then their pacers provided them with the best start possible. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood got into the act immediately and removed the Indian openers cheaply. Pat Cummins hunted down the big fish, Virat Kohli and then after offering a brief resistance, Ajinkya Rahane was dismissed. It's been a very indisciplined batting effort by India. All the four wickets went down due to loose shots attempted and they will be deeply disappo |
| The surface offered good assistance to the seamers early on and credit should be given to the Aussie speedsters for hitting accurate lines and lengths. They kept asking difficult questions to the batsmen and succeeded in creating good pressure. Nathan Lyon has also got good purchase from the pitch as he kept it tidy and was unlucky not to get the wicket of Rahane when he was on 2. Plenty of work needed to be done by the Indian middle-lower order. Do join us in a short while for more action. |
| ... Day 1, Session 2 ... |
| We are back after Lunch. If you're in India, then breakfast. Whatever, as long as you are not hungry. The players have made their way out. Cheteshwar Pujara and Rohit Sharma walk out to take center stage. |
| 27.1 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, Right on the button. Full and angling in around off, Rohit gets forward and defends it with a straight bat. |
| 27.2 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, FOUR! Overpitched and duly punished. This is how Rohit Sharma bats. He will always punish the bad balls. It's full and outside off, Rohit leans forward and caresses it through covers. |
| 27.3 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, Chooses to leave the ball outside his off stump. |
| 27.4 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, Play and a miss! Good length delivery outside off, going straight on after landing, Sharma pushes inside the line and misses. |
| 27.5 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, A length ball angling back in from around off, Rohit offers a straight bat in defense. |
| 27.6 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, Shortish and pulled behind square leg for a run. |
| Josh Hazlewood to bowl from the other end. |
| 28.1 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Starts with a good length delivery in the channel outside off, Sharma allows it through. |
| 28.2 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Another delivery in the channel outside off, it's left alone by Rohit. |
| 28.3 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Goes full this time and lands it on middle. Rohit tries defending with a straight willow but it takes the inside edge and rolls behind square leg for a single. |
| 28.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, A length delivery on off, Che stays on the back foot in defense. Pushes it out to covers. |
| 28.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 28.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Good length ball on off, Pujara pushes it from the back foot to point. End of the over. |
| 29.1 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, Fuller and outside off, driven confidently off the front foot but straight towards mid off. |
| 29.2 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, Back of a length ball on off, straightening a bit with extra bounce, Sharma stands open in his stance as he defends it down on the surface. |
| 29.3 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, Angling into the batsman, Rohit plays it off his front foot towards backward point. |
| 29.4 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, Short delivery on off, Rohit gets on top of the bounce and pulls it to deep square leg for a run. |
| 29.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Bouncer around leg, Pujara allows it through to the keeper. |
| 29.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Good length ball on off, solidly defended from the crease by Pujara. |
| 30.1 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Shortish and on off, Rohit stays back footed and plays it down with an angled bat to backward point. |
| 30.2 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Goes fuller this time, delivers it on middle, Sharma keeps it out safely in the direction of mid on. |
| 30.3 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Bouncer this time, Sharma allows it through. |
| 30.4 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Rohit has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 30.5 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Lands it on a good length outside off and gets it to shape back in off the seam. Rohit takes his front leg forward to cover the line and then makes a leave. |
| 30.6 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Outswinger this time, Hazlewood dishing out all his variations. Rohit spots it and allows it through. |
| 31.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Back of a length delivery outside off, Pujara packs a punch from the back foot but it goes straight to the point fielder. |
| 31.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Shortish and around off, Pujara sticks on his crease and taps it down on the off side. |
| 31.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, On a good length this time, it's around off and shaping in, Pujara presents a straight bat in defense. |
| 31.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Sharp delivery, fuller and on off, Pujara dead bats it back to the bowler. |
| 31.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, This one is on a length and outside off, Che pushes it gently with an angled bat to the off side. |
| 31.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, A rising delivery, cutting back into the batsman from a shortish length outside off, Pujara goes on the back foot and plays it down in front of short leg. |
| 32.1 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Short and down the leg side, Rohit tries to pull it across the line but misses. |
| 32.2 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Puts it on a fuller length around off, Sharma defends it by getting forward. |
| 32.3 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Extra bounce around off, Rohit tries defending but gets it off the inside half of the bat. |
| 32.4 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Goes wide of the crease and spears in a fuller length ball on middle, Rohit leans forward and across to flick but fails to middle it properly. Still it speeds away in the gap at mid-wicket for a couple of runs. |
| 32.5 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Angling in on a length around off, Rohit defends it off his back foot. |
| 32.6 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, On a driving length outside off, holding its line, Sharma offers no shot. Slow going for India, understandably. They want to build a partnership here. |
| 33.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Back of a length delivery on off, Pujara immediately goes on the back foot and punches it in the gap at covers for one. |
| 33.2 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, Good length ball angling in from around off, Rohit presses forward and defends it from the inner half of his bat to mid on. |
| 33.3 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, SIX! What a shot! This one comes out of nowhere! All timing, no power. He has just caressed his cover drive all the way over the fence. He is a special batsman. Unstoppable in the limited overs and trying to find his feet in Tests as well. Lazy elegance. |
| 33.4 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, Sharma has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 33.5 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, A length ball angling in on off, defended off the back foot. |
| 33.6 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, A front foot defense by Rohit to complete the over. |
| Mitchell Starc returns in the attack. |
| 34.1 : M Starc to Pujara, FOUR! Pujara finally wakes up. He has been defending everything coming his way. Spots the shorter delivery wide outside off, senses the opportunity to free his arms and smashes it over the slip cordon. |
| 34.2 : M Starc to C Pujara, Gets carried away this time and miscues his shot. Starc goes full and lands it around off, Pujara tries to blast it through covers but it takes the inside edge and rolls to short mid-wicket. |
| 34.3 : M Starc to Pujara, Fullish on off, defended off the front foot to mid off. |
| 34.4 : M Starc to Pujara, Back of a length delivery on off, Pujara stands back to play inside the line and pushes it to point. |
| 34.5 : M Starc to Pujara, Tries to tempt the batsman with another short and wide delivery, initially Pujara looks to play at it but then leaves it alone. |
| 34.6 : M Starc to Pujara, Down the leg side, Pujara nudges it behind square leg and collects a single to retain strike. |
| Nathan Lyon's turn to roll his arm. A slip and short leg for him. |
| 35.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Allows the ball to spin back in and flicks it off his pads to backward square leg. |
| 35.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Another off spinner around off, a bit on the shorter side, Pujara goes back and defends it towards the bowler. |
| 35.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Turn and bounce from a fuller length around off, Pujara prods to defend but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It dies down quickly in front of short leg. |
| 35.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Nearly a catch to short leg! Pujara uses his feet and tries to flick. Fails to control the shot well and it goes just wide of Handscomb. |
| 35.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Spinning down the leg side, Pujara moves back and works it down to fine leg for a brace. |
| 35.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Quicker and fuller, Pujara comes down the track to play at it but misses to get hit on the pads. |
| 36.1 : M Starc to Sharma, On a good length angled away from Rohit. Good bounce on it as Rohit points his bat skywards and leaves it alone. |
| 36.2 : M Starc to Sharma, A bit fuller on the off pole. Rohit gets behind it and taps it on the off side. |
| 36.3 : M Starc to R Sharma, Lovely bowling. Gets this one to come in and almost yorks Rohit. Rohit does well and angles the ball away towards the gully region. |
| 36.4 : M Starc to Sharma, Full again outside off, Sharma checks his shot as he just pushes it towards short mid off. |
| 36.5 : M Starc to Sharma, Back of a length ball on the hips of Rohit who tucks it around the corner for a single. |
| 36.6 : M Starc to Pujara, Good length ball outside off, Che lets it go. |
| 37.1 : N Lyon to Sharma, Of spinner around off, Rohit gives it on the bounce to the short leg fielder. |
| 37.2 : N Lyon to Sharma, SIX! Not the most convincing of ways but another maximum to Rohit's name. Loopy ball on middle, Rohit gets low and sweeps it aerially towards square leg. He gets just enough bat on it. Harris on the square leg rope takes the catch but then just steps outside the boundary line. He throws the ball back in play but was too late in doing so. The umpires check it up and then a biggie is signalled. |
| 37.3 : N Lyon to Sharma, OUT! Oh dear! What was Rohit thinking? Brain fade! Really. He played a similar shot on the previous ball and just managed to get it over the ropes but this time falls right into the trap. A bit flat this time from Lyon, on middle and off, Rohit thought it was going to be fuller, but it wasn't. Still goes for the swipe across the line. Gets a top edge on it and the ball flies towards square leg. Harris runs in and takes a simple catch. India have half their side back in th |
| Rishabh Pant is the new batsman out in the middle. |
| 37.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Slower through the air, full and turning back in, Pujara shimmies down a little and then tries to defend it with his bat and pad together. |
| 37.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Turning back in from around off, Pujara moves back to play it with the spin but finds backward square leg. |
| 37.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Uses his feet but is beaten in flight. Tries defending but misses and is hit on the pads. |
| 38.1 : M Starc to Pant, On a good length on the pads, Pant flicks it away through mid-wicket for a couple. |
| 38.2 : M Starc to Pant, Similar line and length on the pads, this time pant gives it to square leg. |
| 38.3 : M Starc to Pant, Misses his line this time. Errs it full but down leg. Pant tries to flick it but misses. |
| 38.4 : M Starc to Pant, On the legs of Pant who tucks it away to the short mid-wicket fielder. |
| 38.5 : M Starc to Pant, Length ball outside off. Pant is forward to play at it but the ball just passes his outside edge. |
| 38.6 : M Starc to Pant, Even better. Perfect from Starc. 150.8 kph. Nips back in from around off. Pant gets across to play at it but is beaten again. |
| 39.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Off spinner on off, Pujara taps it in front of him. |
| 39.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Similar ball given air. Pujara uses his feet and pads it out. |
| 39.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Floated ball on middle and leg, Che comes forward and turns it away with the spin. |
| 39.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Around off, kept out. |
| 39.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, FOUR! The odd ball that is short and Che makes full use of it. Goes on his back foot and punches the ball square of the point fielder for a boundary. |
| 39.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Flighted ball on off, Pujara comes forward and pads it out. The ball balloons towards Lyon who takes the catch but there was no bat. |
| 40.1 : M Starc to Pant, Not afraid to go for the big ones is Pant. Angled into the pads of Pant who lofts it over mid on for a brace. |
| 40.2 : M Starc to Pant, SIX! Lovely! Just the flick of the wrists and it has gone the distance. Full and on the legs, Pant leans forward and rotates his wrists. Makes proper connection and sends it flying over backward square leg for a biggie. 100 up for India. |
| 40.3 : M Starc to R Pant, FOUR! Edge but safe! That's the way he plays. Attack, attack and attack. Full and outside off, Pant looks to flick it away but gets a leading edge wide of the slip cordon. The ball rolls towards third man for a boundary. Rishabh smiles. |
| 40.4 : M Starc to Pant, Leading edge again. Fuller ball around off. Once again Pant looks to go on the on side but gets a leading edge through to covers. Two more runs collected. Living very dangerously. |
| 40.5 : M Starc to Pant, That ball has struck the batsman on the thigh-pad as he fails to flick. Beaten for pace. |
| 40.6 : M Starc to Pant, Length ball outside off, Pant feels for it but cannot get bat to ball. |
| Drinks! Two very different batsman in the middle. One who only looks to attack while the other is happy to play by the merit. Either way they need to see of this session or else the hosts will not be far away from batting very soon. |
| 41.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Off spinner on middle and leg, Che tucks it away to the on side. |
| 41.2 : N Lyon to C Pujara, Outside off, Pujara cuts it late through backward point for a couple of runs. |
| 41.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Long appeal but only from Lyon. Loopy ball around off, Che looks to bunt it but gets hit on his pads outside off. Lyon appeals but the impact was not in line. |
| 41.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, CP works it down the leg side. |
| 41.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Gets behind this ball and keeps it out. |
| 41.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Pujara flicks it away with a wristy shot towards backward square leg. They pick up a single. |
| 42.1 : Pat Cummins to C Pujara, Back of a length ball outside off, Che cuts it close to his body thorough point for just a run. |
| 42.2 : Pat Cummins to Pant, Fuller ball outside off, Pant drives it to the off side. |
| 42.3 : Pat Cummins to Pant, Full and on middle, Pant blocks it with a straight bat. |
| 42.4 : Pat Cummins to Pant, Fuller ball again around off, Pant bunts it out. Some patience shown by the southpaw. |
| 42.5 : Pat Cummins to Pant, Pays respect again. Outside off, Pant is happy to defend it. Perhaps got some words from Che? |
| 42.6 : Pat Cummins to Pant, No! Not really! What a guy! Good length ball outside off. Pant looks to slog this over mid-wicket. Cannot put bat to ball and the ball goes through to the keeper. |
| 43.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Tossed up ball around middle, Pujara comes down the track but then is hit on the pads as he fails to meet the ball. |
| 43.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Pujara has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 43.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Uses his feet and flicks it with the spin through mid-wicket for a couple of runs. |
| 43.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Flatter on off, defended off the back foot. |
| 43.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Once again steps out and clips it with the turn to deep mid-wicket. Another brace. |
| 43.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Once again steps out and clips it with the turn to deep mid-wicket. Another brace. |
| 44.1 : Pat Cummins to Pant, Goes short outside off, Pant ducks under it. |
| 44.2 : Pat Cummins to Pant, Pitches this further up on middle, Pant plays it back towards the bowler. |
| 44.3 : Pat Cummins to Pant, On a good length around off, Pant gets behind it and taps it in front of him. |
| 44.4 : Pat Cummins to Pant, Length ball outside off, Pant points his bat skywards and leaves it alone. |
| 44.5 : Pat Cummins to Pant, Back of a length ball on that fourth stump line, Pant taps it with soft hands towards mid off and gets to the other end. |
| 44.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Dishes out another bouncer on middle and leg, Che crouches under it. |
| 45.1 : N Lyon to Pant, Inside edge! Loopy ball on middle and off, Pant looks to block it out but gets an inside onto his pads. Had he missed that, he was a goner. |
| 45.2 : N Lyon to Pant, On middle and leg, whipped away through mid-wicket. They manage to come back for the second. |
| 45.3 : N Lyon to Pant, On off, hit to the off side. |
| 45.4 : N Lyon to Pant, Looped up on off, bunted down towards silly point. |
| 45.5 : N Lyon to Pant, Pant works it down the leg side. One run added to the total. |
| 45.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Cries of catch it but nowhere close to the fielder. On the pads, Pujara flicks it away uppishly towards square leg. Dot ball. |
| 46.1 : Pat Cummins to Pant, Full on off, Pant covers his stumps and blocks it out. |
| 46.2 : Pat Cummins to Pant, Drags his length a tad back on off, Pant defends it off his back foot. |
| 46.3 : Pat Cummins to Pant, Full and closer to the off stump, Pant from within his crease defends it. |
| 46.4 : Pat Cummins to R Pant, FOUR! Nice! Elegant! Low full toss around off, Pant drives it in the gap through the cover region. The ball rolls away to the fence. Good batting. |
| 46.5 : Pat Cummins to Pant, Bouncer! Pant gets away from it and leaves it alone. |
| 46.6 : Pat Cummins to Pant, Length ball around off, kept out by Pant. |
| 47.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, On middle and leg, tucked away off the back foot towards square leg for one. Playing Lyon off the back foot is the key. |
| 47.2 : N Lyon to R Pant, Full on leg, turned away towards mid-wicket to rotate strike. |
| 47.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Uses his feet and hits it to long on for another run. |
| 47.4 : N Lyon to Pant, Flighted ball on off, driven to covers. |
| 47.5 : N Lyon to Pant, RP has played it to the point region. |
| 47.6 : N Lyon to Pant, Outside off, once again nudged to the point region away from his body. |
| Josh Hazlewood in for another burst. |
| 48.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Length ball outside off, the batsman shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 48.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Outside off, cut to point. |
| 48.3 : J Hazlewood to C Pujara, Edged but just short. Hazlewood has been in that corridor of uncertainty every time. Serves another one there around off, Pujara pushes it with soft hands. It bounces just before the slip cordon and goes through it for a brace. |
| 48.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Che has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 48.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Outside off, left alone. |
| 48.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Bouncer! Pujara gets low and lets the ball through. |
| 49.1 : N Lyon to Pant, OUT! A long delay but the finger is eventually raised. Lyon has been bowling great and gets another reward to his name. Flighted ball around off. The ball curls away just enough. Pant goes fishing just a bit and gets a feather behind. Tim takes the catch and appeals. The umpire stays put but then raises his finger. Pant walks. India in big trouble now. |
| 0.0 : Ravichandran Ashwin is the new man in. |
| 49.2 : N Lyon to Ashwin, On off, Ashwin gets an inside edge onto his pads. |
| 49.3 : N Lyon to Ashwin, On off, Ashwin blocks it out. |
| 49.4 : N Lyon to Ashwin, Down leg, Ashwin works it away fine to get off the mark. |
| 49.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Another slider down leg, flicked away to change strike. |
| 49.6 : N Lyon to Ashwin, Loopy ball outside off, bunted down by Ashwin. |
| 50.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Length ball on leg, Ashwin turns it away to square leg. |
| 50.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Fuller ball in line of the stumps, Che blocks it out with a straight bat. |
| Interesting. There is a slip fielder with helmet. He is in a very unfamiliar position. Just to the right of the second slip fielder and very close to the bat. |
| 50.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, CP has defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 50.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Full and on off, Pujara keeps it out with a full face of the bat. |
| 50.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Fuller in length, Pujara lets the ball go outside his off stump. |
| 50.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Short ball on the leg side, Pujara ducks to evade it. |
| 51.1 : N Lyon to Ashwin, Outside off, Ashwin opens the bat face and guides it towards third man for a run. |
| 51.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Full and outside off, Pujara dances down and milks it to mid-wicket. |
| 51.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, A bit on the shorter end, pushed to cover-point. |
| 51.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Comes down the track and works this through square leg for one. |
| 51.5 : N Lyon to Ashwin, In line of the stumps, Ashwin defends it back to the bowler. |
| 51.6 : N Lyon to Ashwin, RA has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 52.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, On the pads, flicked away to deep square leg to change ends. |
| 52.2 : J Hazlewood to Ashwin, Similar line and length, turned away to fine leg for one. |
| 52.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, FOUR! Rare loose delivery from Hazlewood. Short ball outside off, Che cuts it and gets it up and over backward point. No fielder there and he gets four to his name. |
| 52.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Outside off, defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 52.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Around off, punched to the cover region. |
| 52.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Fuller in length outside off, driven towards covers. |
| 53.1 : N Lyon to Ashwin, Off spinner outside off, guided towards short third man. |
| 53.2 : N Lyon to Ashwin, On the leg stump, Ashwin taps in in front of him. |
| 53.3 : N Lyon to R Ashwin, Flighted ball on middle, Ashwin blocks it out. |
| 53.4 : N Lyon to Ashwin, Ashwin defends it from within the crease. |
| 53.5 : N Lyon to Ashwin, Down the leg side, flicked away through square leg to change strike. |
| 53.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Played to mid-wicket region by Che. |
| Travis Head called to roll his arm. |
| 54.1 : T Head to Ashwin, Full on off, kept it. |
| 54.2 : T Head to R Ashwin, Overpitched from Head. Ashwin drives it to extra covers for a single. |
| 54.3 : T Head to Pujara, Full and on off, Ashwin can't get it past mid off. |
| 54.4 : T Head to Pujara, Full and on leg, turned away through mid-wicket for a single. |
| 54.5 : T Head to Ashwin, Full on middle and leg, bunted down by Ashwin. |
| 54.6 : T Head to Ashwin, On off, Ashwin comes ahead but decides to block it. |
| 55.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Tossed up ball on off, Pujara gets down the track and flicks it with the spin to mid-wicket. |
| 55.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Once again Pujara is down the track to a full ball and helps it to mid-wicket. |
| 55.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Flatter and shorter on off, Che is on the back foot in defense. |
| 55.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, This time the length is full and Pujara drives it through covers for three runs. |
| 55.5 : N Lyon to Ashwin, Allows the ball to spin back in and then works it on the leg side by going deep inside the crease. |
| 55.6 : N Lyon to Ashwin, Quicker this time, a touch short and down the leg side, Ashwin tries flicking but misses. That will be Tea on Day 1! |
| India have limped their way into the Tea break. They lost two wickets in this session as once again their batsmen were quite ordinary with the shot selection. Nathan Lyon was the best bowler on show in the afternoon. He picked up both the wickets and was bowling in good areas. Cheteshwar Pujara is fighting a lone battle but is running out of partners. Currently, Australia are in the driver's seat and they will look to wrap up the innings as quickly as possible. For India, they will be relying on |
| ... Day 1, Session 3 ... |
| We're back for the last session. The men concerned are also back on the field. 34 overs left in the day's play. Mitchell Starc to kick off proceedings. Two slips in place and then there is one fielder standing a few steps ahead of the third slip position. |
| 56.1 : M Starc to Pujara, Shortish delivery to begin the session. It's outside off and Pujara cracks it off his back foot. Finds point. |
| 56.2 : M Starc to Pujara, On a good length this time, Pujara works it off his pads but finds the fielder. |
| 56.3 : M Starc to Pujara, Keeps his line around off and probes with a length delivery, Che covers his stumps and offers a straight bat in defense. |
| 56.4 : M Starc to Pujara, The line is straight again, Che goes on his back foot and turns it on the leg side. |
| 56.5 : M Starc to Pujara, Shows the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 56.6 : M Starc to Pujara, Bouncer down the leg side, Pujara ducks underneath it at the last second. Maiden. |
| 57.1 : N Lyon to Ashwin, Tossed up ball landing outside off and spinning back in, Ashwin stays back and defends it with an angled bat. |
| 0.0 : Appeal for a run out. It's referred upstairs. Is Pujara safe with his dive? |
| 57.2 : N Lyon to Ashwin, Yes, the dive has saved Pujara! It all started with a flighted ball on middle. It turned back in a bit as Ashwin tried to defend it off his front foot. But it took the inside edge and went past the right side of the short leg fielder. The leg slip fielder, Aaron Finch, chased it down and threw it to the keeper who broke the stumps. They appealed and the square leg umpire went upstairs. The replays showed that Pujara was safely in. Direct hit was needed. |
| 57.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Defended it by getting right behind the line of the delivery. |
| 57.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Helps it with the spin past short leg for a run. |
| 57.5 : N Lyon to Ashwin, Dropped? Looks like it. Turn and bounce down the leg side. Ashwin tries working it away but fails to middle his shot properly. It goes off the inside edge to Finch at leg slip who stretches his right hand out but fails to grab it. |
| 57.6 : N Lyon to Ashwin, Goes on the back foot to a shortish delivery and blocks it safely. |
| 58.1 : M Starc to Pujara, Shortish around off, defended off the back foot. |
| 58.2 : M Starc to Pujara, Angling away from the batsman, on a good length, Che allows it through. |
| 58.3 : M Starc to Pujara, On the pads and eased away through square leg for a couple of runs. |
| 58.4 : M Starc to Pujara, Fifty for Cheteshwar Pujara, his 20th in this format! A knock of grit and determination. Another delivery on his pads and he works it away to deep square leg for single. Fine innings by India's reliable number 3. He now needs to continue and add valuable runs with the lower half. |
| 58.5 : M Starc to Ashwin, A good length delivery outside off, going away with the angle, Ashwin shoulders arms. |
| 58.6 : M Starc to Ashwin, A touch short and around middle and leg, Ashwin is on his toes in defense. |
| 59.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Loopy full ball around off, Pujara walks down the track and kicks it out off his pads. |
| 59.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Lyon drags his length short and bowls it around off, Pujara rocks back and allows it to spin back in before punching it through point for a couple. |
| 59.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Spin and bounce into the batsman from outside off, Pujara walks down the track and fails to put bat on ball. It goes off his pads to mid-wicket. |
| 59.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Flatter and fuller on middle, worked with the spin to square leg. |
| 59.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Uses his wrists again and this time flicks it with the spin past backward square leg. A couple added to the total. |
| 59.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Off spinner on middle, Pujara tickles it around the corner, straight to backward square leg. |
| 60.1 : M Starc to Ashwin, Short in length and on middle, Ashwin goes on the back foot and helps it down in front of square leg. |
| 60.2 : M Starc to Pujara, Play and a miss! A rare lapse in concentration for Pujara! Starc angles across a shortish delivery outside off, Pujara rocks back to slap it through the line but fails to connect. Some extra bounce there to beat the blade. |
| 60.3 : M Starc to Pujara, Pujara offers the full face of the bat and defends the ball off the back foot. |
| 60.4 : M Starc to Pujara, Fractionally short and around off, Pujara covers the line and defends it off his back foot. |
| 60.5 : M Starc to Pujara, An overpitched delivery on middle, Pujara gets forward to work it off his pads towards wide mid on. The mid-wicket fielder gets around it but lets it through for the fielder to his left. One run added to the total. |
| 60.6 : M Starc to Ashwin, The batsman defends it from within the crease. |
| 61.1 : Lyon to Pujara, Floated off spinner landing outside off and turning back in, Pujara walks forward and then tries to defend. It takes his pads and goes to the off side. The bowler appeals but nothing from the umpire. |
| 61.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Tossed up ball on middle, tucked on the leg side. |
| 61.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Full and flighted on off, flicked behind square leg for a run. |
| 61.4 : N Lyon to Ashwin, Loopy and turning in front around off, Ashwin steps down and tries to defend. It takes a little bit of leading edge before rolling to covers. |
| 61.5 : N Lyon to Ashwin, Flatter and shorter on middle, Ashwin sticks back and hits it across the line past short leg. A single. |
| 61.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Shout for an lbw, not given. Flighted on off, turning in, Pujara tries defending but misses. He is hit on the pads, they appeal but impact is outside off. Paine thinks of reviewing it but Lyon tells him that he was playing the shot and also the impact is outside the line. |
| 62.1 : M Starc to Ashwin, Good length ball around off, tapped to the off side. |
| 62.2 : M Starc to Ashwin, Fuller in length comes into Ashwin who blocks it out. |
| 62.3 : M Starc to Ashwin, Back of a length all around off, Ashwin gets under it and taps it to the on side. |
| 62.4 : M Starc to Ashwin, Short ball on middle and leg, Ashwin goes for the pull. It goes towards deep square leg for one. |
| 62.5 : M Starc to Pujara, DROPPED AND FOUR! Fuller ball outside off, Pujara who has been there for 168 balls goes for one outside the off stump. He gets a fat edge which flies just over Khawaja at gully. The replays show that Usman got fingertips to this and the ball trickles down to the third man fence. Will go down as a dropped catch but it was Khawaja's brilliance to get something on the ball. He has already taken a blinder in this innings. |
| 62.6 : M Starc to Pujara, Length all around off, Che shoulders arms to let that one through. |
| 63.1 : N Lyon to Ashwin, On the leg side, turned away to square leg. |
| 63.2 : N Lyon to Ashwin, On off, kept out by Ashwin. |
| 63.3 : N Lyon to Ashwin, Covers his stumps and blocks this one out. |
| 63.4 : N Lyon to Ashwin, Full on middle, Ashwin gets to the pitch of it and blocks it. |
| 63.5 : N Lyon to Ashwin, Outside off, cut past point for a single. |
| 63.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, On the leg side, Pujara uses his feet but flicks it straight to square leg. |
| Pat Cummins is into the attack. |
| 64.1 : Pat Cummins to Ashwin, Yorker just outside off, Ashwin tries putting bat to ball but doesn't it close to the ball. |
| 64.2 : Pat Cummins to Ashwin, Full and on off, driven past covers for a brace. |
| 64.3 : Pat Cummins to Ashwin, Length ball outside off, Ashwin shoulders his arms to this. |
| 64.4 : Pat Cummins to Ashwin, Back of a length ball around off, Ashwin stays inside and punches it to mid off. |
| 64.5 : Pat Cummins to R Ashwin, Full and on the fourth stump line, carved away through cover-point to get his partner on strike. |
| 64.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Length ball on middle and leg, Che turns his bat to the on side. |
| 65.1 : N Lyon to Ashwin, Off spinner on middle, turned off the pads past short leg for a run. |
| 65.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, The batsman works it down the leg side. They pick up a single. |
| 65.3 : N Lyon to Ashwin, Tossed up ball on middle, defended off the back foot to the leg side. |
| 65.4 : N Lyon to Ashwin, Lunges to a full ball and flicks it with the spin, finds mid-wicket. |
| 65.5 : N Lyon to Ashwin, Floated and on off, spinning back in, Ashwin gets forward and defends it near his front pad. |
| 65.6 : N Lyon to Ashwin, And again. Another off spinner has been defended solidly off the front foot by Ashwin. |
| 66.1 : Pat Cummins to C Pujara, Full around off, angling back in, Pujara presents a straight bat and pushes it past the bowler. The mid on fielder moves across to his left to stop the ball and they cross for a run. |
| 66.2 : Pat Cummins to Ashwin, The ease with which Ash bats is simply outstanding. Has a sound technique really. Short delivery this time on off, Ashwin is nicely on top of the bounce as he plays it in front of square leg for a run. |
| 66.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Hurls a length delivery in the channel outside off, Pujara allows it through to the keeper. |
| 66.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Good length delivery in the zone outside off, Pujara shoulders arms. |
| 66.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Bumper this time, around off, Che ducks underneath it. |
| 66.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Good length ball angling into the batsman, Pujara works it off his pads through mid-wicket and returns for the second run. |
| Change in bowling from this end. Josh Hazlewood is back on. |
| 67.1 : J Hazlewood to Ashwin, Leading edge but safe! A back of a length delivery around off, Ashwin stays back to turn it around but gets a soft leading edge. It goes safely to covers. |
| 67.2 : J Hazlewood to Ashwin, Angles in a good length ball on off, Ashwin presses forward and plays it across the line in the direction of mid on. |
| 67.3 : J Hazlewood to Ashwin, Lands it on a length outside off and it holds its line after landing. Ashwin makes an easy leave. |
| 67.4 : J Hazlewood to Ashwin, The length is fuller this time, outside off, Ashwin pushes it off his front foot to covers. |
| 67.5 : J Hazlewood to Ashwin, Back of a length delivery outside off, Ashwin pushes his weight on the back foot and presents a straight bat in defense. |
| 67.6 : J Hazlewood to Ashwin, As soon as Ashwin finds the line to be straighter and the length to be fuller, he takes his front foot forward and flicks it behind square leg for a run. |
| Change of ends for Nathan Lyon. |
| 68.1 : N Lyon to Ashwin, Spinning down the leg side, Ashwin moves inside the crease and uses his wrists to flick it behind square leg for a run. |
| 68.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Flatter and a touch shorter outside off, Pujara is on the back foot in defense. |
| 68.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, An off spinner landing around off and turning down the leg side, Che clips it off his pads through square leg for a couple. |
| 68.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, A little shimmy down the track by Pujara as he caresses his on drive. The mid on fielder makes a half stop probably as the ball slows down before the fence. They take three runs and bring up the first 50-run stand for India. A crucial partnership, this. |
| 68.5 : N Lyon to Ashwin, Goes back and hits it across the line. A touch uppish but is safe in front of short leg. |
| 68.6 : N Lyon to Ashwin, Strides forward to a full ball and offers a straight bat in defense. |
| 69.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Digs in a short delivery outside off, Pujara leaves it alone. |
| 69.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Good length delivery on off, Pujara defends it safely off the front foot. |
| 69.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, This one is way wide outside off, Che has nothing to do with it. |
| 69.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Goes wide of the crease and spears in a full ball on middle, Pujara keeps it out to mid on. |
| 69.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Too full and around off, Pujara forces it out back to the bowler who stops it on one bounce. Tries to show aggression by throwing it at the batsman but he fails to collect the ball cleanly. Josh then stares Pujara. No words hurled. |
| 69.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, This one is angled in and is a little too straight. Pujara flicks it through square leg for a couple of runs. |
| 70.1 : N Lyon to Ashwin, Tossed up ball outside off, turning back in from a shorter length outside off, Ashwin is on the back foot as he taps it on the off side. |
| 70.2 : N Lyon to Ashwin, Flicks it with the spin on the leg side but finds the fielder in front of square leg. |
| 70.3 : N Lyon to Ashwin, Good piece of running between Pujara and Ashwin. They are not known for this. Quicker one down the leg side, Ashwin tries flicking but probably gets a faint inside edge. It goes past leg gully and they take three. |
| 70.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, Jumps out of the crease to a full ball and flicks it with the spin. Doesn't find the gap as it goes straight to the fielder standing near square leg. |
| 70.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Pujara dances down the track but decides to defend it. |
| 70.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Spin and bounce back into the batsman from outside off, Che tries to defend but misses. It balloons in the air off his pads, the Aussies get excited but the ball drops safely on the off side. No wood. |
| Pat Cummins is back on. |
| 71.1 : Pat Cummins to Ashwin, Lands it on a good length around off, Ashwin thrusts forward and blocks it near his front pad. |
| 71.2 : Pat Cummins to Ashwin, Provides width outside off, Ashwin stays back and opens the face of his bat at the last moment. Middles his shot well but finds the gully fielder. |
| 71.3 : Pat Cummins to Ashwin, Fullish and on off, solidly defended. |
| 71.4 : Pat Cummins to Ashwin, Fuller length ball on off, shaping back in a touch, Ashwin offers a straight bat in defense. |
| 71.5 : Pat Cummins to Ashwin, Straying down the leg side, Ashwin picks it off his pads and flicks it through square leg for a run. |
| 71.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 72.1 : N Lyon to Ashwin, Tossed up ball on middle, turning back in, Ashwin plays it from the crease past short leg. |
| 72.2 : N Lyon to Ashwin, Extra flight this time, it's full and around off, Ashwin drives it off his front foot to covers. |
| 72.3 : N Lyon to R Ashwin, Bat-pad but not carrying to short leg! Slower through the air, full and around off, turning back in, Ashwin tries to defend off the front foot but gets an inside edge onto the pads. It pops out but dies in front of Handscomb. |
| 72.4 : N Lyon to Ashwin, Flatter and quicker on off, defended off the back foot. |
| 72.5 : N Lyon to Ashwin, Another delivery turning back in from a shorter length on off, Ashwin blocks it from the crease. |
| 72.6 : N Lyon to Ashwin, This one is full and outside off, a nicely floated one, Ashwin strides forward and drives it back. |
| Drinks break. Finally, a wicket-less hour for India as Ashwin and Pujara are amidst a superb partnership. Both batsmen offered a chance each but the Aussie fielders failed to grab those chances. Now, this stand is growing in confidence and the hosts would be hoping to strike back as soon as possilbe. |
| 73.1 : Pat Cummins to C Pujara, Fuller and on off, driven back to the bowler. |
| 73.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Short and outside off, cut behind point for a run. |
| 73.3 : Pat Cummins to Ashwin, Ashwin has played that off the front foot and into the ground. |
| 73.4 : Pat Cummins to Ashwin, Fullish on off, stroked off the front foot to mid off. |
| 73.5 : Pat Cummins to Ashwin, FOUR! Shot! Lovely hands of Ashwin on display. A length delivery outside off, there is room on offer and Ashwin steers it through point for his first boundary. He has been very patient. |
| 73.6 : Pat Cummins to R Ashwin, OUT! The 62-run stand has been broken by a jaffa of a delivery. Cummins roars in delight. He dishes in a length delivery on middle and gets it to straighten off the seam after landing. Ashwin's intention is to play on the leg side but doesn't close the face of the bat in time. It takes the outside half of his bat and flies straight into the hands of Handscomb at second slip. End of a hard-fought knock by Ravichandran Ashwin. India now need their tail to wag. Still |
| Ishant Sharma is the new man in. |
| 74.1 : Lyon to Pujara, Loopy ball on off, Che prods forward to block it but gets hit on his leg. Australia appeal but the umpire stays put. Australia do not take the review.. Good decision as that would have gone to miss the leg pole. |
| 74.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Played to mid-wicket region by Pujara. They pick up a single. |
| 74.3 : N Lyon to Sharma, That ball has taken the inside edge onto the pads. |
| 74.4 : N Lyon to Sharma, Loopy ball on leg, Sharma is struck on his thigh pad. |
| 74.5 : N Lyon to Sharma, Peach! Through the gate. Ishant looks to block this but the back leg of Sharma has saved him. Kisses his pads and goes to the keeper. |
| Review! For caught behind. Paine thinks Ishant has nicked one behind. |
| 74.6 : N Lyon to Sharma, Not out! Australia lose a review! Down the leg side. Ishant looks to turn that away but misses. It goes off something and to Paine at the back. He appeals but the umpire nods his head. Tim takes it up but replays show us that it came off his thigh pad. |
| 75.1 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, On a driving length outside off, Pujara takes his front foot forward and then makes a leave. |
| 75.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Back of a length delivery around off, Pujara goes back and taps it down in the gap at point. Turns down the single. |
| 75.3 : Pat Cummins to C Pujara, Excellent shot! Fuller in length on off, Pujara brings down a straight bat and drives it down the ground to long. A couple taken. This is now his highest Test score in Australia. |
| 75.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Another straight drive by Pujara but this one is not properly timed. He denies the run on offer. That one probably stuck on the surface before reaching the batsman. |
| 75.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, A bouncer down the leg side, Pujara allows it through. He will like to bowl one more dot ball so that Lyon has six balls to bowl at Ishant. |
| 75.6 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Good length ball on off, Che defends it off his back foot to the off side. Over to Ishant now. |
| 76.1 : N Lyon to Sharma, Fuller and off, flicked with the spin to short mid-wicket. |
| 76.2 : N Lyon to Sharma, FOUR! That's a fine sweep shot from India's number 9. He goes down on one knee to a full ball and uses his long reach to his advantage. Connects well and sends it whistling to the square leg boundary. |
| 76.3 : N Lyon to Sharma, Works the delivery outside off to the leg side, finds square leg. |
| 76.4 : N Lyon to Sharma, Shout for an lbw, turned down. Sharma lunges to defend but fails to put bat on ball. Lyon is interested but the impact is outside off. |
| 76.5 : N Lyon to I Sharma, Too full and on middle, Ishant goes hard at it and hits it towards mid on. |
| 76.6 : N Lyon to Sharma, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 77.1 : Pat Cummins to C Pujara, Fullish and outside off, Pujara drives it to the deep cover-point region but turns down the single. |
| 77.2 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Outside off, left alone. |
| 77.3 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Another delivery in the channel outside off, Che has nothing to do with it. |
| 77.4 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Back of a length delivery around off, Pujara plays it late and guides it down to deep point. Another run denied. |
| 77.5 : Pat Cummins to Pujara, Finds the gap at extra cover. A nice looking drive from Pujara, he sends this wide of mid off and takes three. Ishant to face the last delivery. |
| 77.6 : Pat Cummins to Sharma, Bouncer around off, Ishant leans back, drops his wrists and sways away from the line. |
| 78.1 : N Lyon to Pujara, Walks down the track and then wears it on his pads. It lobs up to short leg. |
| 78.2 : N Lyon to Pujara, Full around off, drifting back in, Pujara inside edges his attempted flick past the left side of Finch at leg slip. Two added to the total. 200 up for India! |
| 78.3 : N Lyon to Pujara, Once again Pujara uses his feet and flicks it with the turn to deep square leg. Another couple of runs added to the total. |
| Physio is out. Cheteshwar Pujara seems to have pulled his hamstrings while turning for the second run. Hopefully, he is fine. He has batted for 208 balls in this tough hot conditions. Brave batting, showing a lot of character. |
| 78.4 : N Lyon to Pujara, A touch short and around off, Pujara allows it to spin back in and deflects it through backward point for a couple. Doing it nicely, Che. |
| 78.5 : N Lyon to Pujara, Loopy off spinner on middle, Pujara plays it off his pads towards leg gully. |
| 78.6 : N Lyon to Pujara, Tossed up ball on middle, nudged in front of square leg for a run. Perfect over for India. Three times they got a couple of runs and a single off the final ball to keep Pujara on strike. |
| Bowling change. Travis Head to bowl the final over before the second new ball will be due. |
| 79.1 : T Head to Pujara, Flatter and on middle, punched back to the bowler. |
| 79.2 : T Head to Pujara, Steps down the track to a full ball and drives it to mid off. |
| 79.3 : T Head to Pujara, Gets on the front foot and flicks it towards mid-wicket. |
| 79.4 : T Head to Pujara, Leans forward to a full ball and pushes it back to the bowler. |
| 79.5 : T Head to Pujara, Shortish and on off, Pujara jumps behind inside the crease and punches it to covers. |
| 79.6 : T Head to Pujara, Flighted on middle, flicked across the line but straight to short leg. |
| Second new ball has been taken immediately by Australia. Mitchell Starc is back on to make first use of the nut. |
| 80.1 : M Starc to Sharma, Errs down the leg side, Sharma covers his stumps and leaves it alone. |
| 80.2 : M Starc to Sharma, Down leg again. Starc not getting his line right. Sharma lets it be. |
| 80.3 : M Starc to Sharma, 3 in a row! Is this some trap? Goes short this time down the leg side, Sharma does not feather it to Paine. |
| Review! Ishant has left one and the ball comes back in to hit his leg. The umpire thinks it's out. Look's out too. Let's find out in the replays... |
| 80.4 : M Starc to Sharma, NOT OUT! Height! Ishant survives. After bowling three down the leg side, Starc bowls one full in line of the stumps. Sharma leaves it alone and the ball comes back in to hit his pads. After an appeal, the umpire raises his finger. Ishant takes the review and the replays show us that it would have gone above the stumps. Good review. |
| 80.5 : Starc to Sharma, Swing again but this was going down leg. Starc dishes one fuller ball down leg, Sharma misses his flick and gets hit on his leg. Going down leg that. |
| 80.6 : M Starc to Sharma, Comes back to his first ball. Down the leg side, Sharma leaves it alone. |
| Josh Hazlewood to share the new cherry from the other end. |
| 81.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Good length ball around off, angling in and straightening a bit. Right on the button. Pujara defends it off his front foot. |
| 81.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Serves it on a length outside off, Pujara allows it through to the keeper. |
| 81.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Too wide outside off, another easy leave for Che. |
| 81.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Full and around off, Pujara flicks it with soft hands through mid-wicket and straightaway shouts two. Completes it with ease. |
| 81.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Width on offer outside off, Pujara cracks it off his back foot through covers for a run. |
| 81.6 : J Hazlewood to Sharma, Defended off the back foot by the batsman. |
| 82.1 : M Starc to C Pujara, Edgy! Full and outside off, angling across the batsman, Pujara tries to drive it through covers but gets a big fat outside edge down to third man. Denies the single. |
| 82.2 : M Starc to Pujara, Misjudges there. He drives a full ball past the gully fielder and wants the second run. But the third man quickly gets around it and only a single is possible. Ishant is exposed to Starc again. |
| 82.3 : M Starc to Sharma, Stars tries to go full but fails to keep it in line of the stumps. Slips down the leg side and Ishant fails to flick it off his pads. |
| 82.4 : M Starc to Sharma, OUT! Bowled 'em! It was only a matter of time. Starc was trying to do this on the previous ball as well but the line wasn't good. Bu this time, he is right on the money. Full and sharp and straight, Ishant is beaten for pace as he is late in bringing his bat down. It goes right through his defense, brushes his pads and then cannons onto the stumps. Starc gets his second wicket. |
| Mohammad Shami is the new batsman. |
| 82.5 : M Starc to Shami, FOUR! Starc eyes a yorker but ends up slipping a low full toss outside off, Shami reaches out for it and squeezes it through point for a boundary. |
| 82.6 : M Starc to Shami, A length ball on off, Shami defends it from the crease to the off side. |
| 83.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Serves it on a driving length outside off, Pujara makes a leave. He is 11 short of his hundred. |
| 83.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Good length delivery in the line of the stumps, Pujara turns it in the gap on the leg side but denies the single. He now needs to change gears and pacers are bowling from both ends. |
| 83.3 : J Hazlewood to C Pujara, Fuller and around off, Pujara tries to go hard at it but his bat turns in his hands and he gets it away off the inside edge through square leg. |
| 83.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Appeal for a caught behind, not given! Hazlewood alters his length to go short and bowls it outside off. Pujara tries to play the square cut but fails to middle his shot. There is certainly some noise as it goes behind to Paine. He appeals but nothing from the umpire. No DRS taken. |
| 83.5 : Hazlewood to C Pujara, SIX! Pujara breaks into the 90s! Not in a convincing manner but he won't care much at this stage. Takes on the challenge to pull the short delivery but it takes the top edge and flies over fine leg for a maximum. 5000 Test runs for him as well. |
| 83.6 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, FOUR! Pujara moves to 99 now! A much-better pull shot, this. Another short delivery by Josh and he hooks it behind square leg for a boundary. |
| 84.1 : M Starc to Shami, Width on offer outside off, Shami flashes and misses. |
| 84.2 : M Starc to M Shami, Once again there is room on offer outside off and Shami runs it down to third man for a run. Pujara returns on strike! |
| 84.3 : M Starc to Pujara, Here it is, 16th Test ton for Cheteshwar Pujara, third against Australia, first in Australia! A big moment for him and what a knock he has played in crisis. Wickets were tumbling around him but he never lost hope and has dragged India's total close to 250 now. Reaches the milestone with a gentle nudge in front of square leg for a couple. The crowd applauds the effort from the Indian number 3. |
| 84.4 : M Starc to Pujara, Short and angling away from the batsman, Pujara rocks back and cuts it through point for a couple of runs. |
| 84.5 : M Starc to Pujara, Hurries up the batsman with a sharp shorter one. Pujara gloves his pull shot towards square leg and takes a run. |
| 84.6 : M Starc to Shami, The ball is down the leg side but the batsman still goes after it but misses. |
| 85.1 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Goes on the back foot to a shortish ball and blocks it safely. |
| 85.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Defended off the front foot by the batsman presenting the full face of the bat. |
| 85.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Shortish and on middle, Pujara swivels and pulls it down to fine leg. Strangely, takes a run. |
| 85.4 : J Hazlewood to Shami, Good length ball on off, Shami stays back footed and plays it to covers. |
| 85.5 : J Hazlewood to Shami, Play and a miss! Short delivery, bowled at a good pace, Shami is early into the pull shot and hence takes a blow on his body. |
| 85.6 : J Hazlewood to Shami, A back foot defense off the last delivery to end the over. |
| 86.1 : M Starc to Pujara, A length delivery angling away from the batsman, Pujara drives it on the up but fails to beat the cover fielder. |
| 86.2 : M Starc to Pujara, A rising delivery on off, Pujara goes on his toes and plays it down through point. A run is turned down. |
| 86.3 : M Starc to Pujara, Fuller in length and on middle, Pujara takes a calculative risk and chips it over mid on. The mid-wicket fielder pulls it back and they take two. |
| 86.4 : M Starc to Pujara, FOUR! Finds the gap with perfection. A length ball on middle and leg, Pujara uses his wrists and flicks it beautifully behind square leg. He pierces the gap between fine leg and square leg with precision. |
| 86.5 : M Starc to Pujara, SIX! Bang! What a knock this is turning out to be! Starc digs in a short delivery outside off, Pujara exercises his arms and slams it over backward point for a biggie. Vital runs. |
| 86.6 : M Starc to Pujara, Short again, just around off, Pujara tries to force it through the line but misses. |
| 87.1 : J Hazlewood to Shami, In the air, safe! Short in length and outside off, Shami stands tall and plays it over point for a run. |
| 87.2 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Straighter in line, Pujara clips it through mid-wicket and comes back for the second run. |
| 87.3 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Pujara is putting on a show. He has fought hard to reach this stage and with nothing much to lose, he is playing his shots freely. A short delivery around off, Che leans back and ramps it over the slip cordon. The third man fielder cuts it off and they take a couple of runs. |
| 87.4 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, Boom! Another firm shot. A length delivery outside off, Pujara goes hard at it and drills it through mid off for a couple of runs. 250 up for India! |
| Appeal for a run out! Pat Cummins has scored a direct hit at the non-striker's end. Pujara appears to be short. Let's find out. |
| 87.5 : J Hazlewood to Pujara, OUT! Pujara is well short! Take a bow, Pat Cummins. They needed something magical to dismiss Pujara and it has come through an inspirational piece of fielding by Pat. A fuller length ball on middle, Pujara gently pushes it towards mid on and wants to retain strike for the next over. Hence he takes a chance and calls his partner through. However, Cummins attacks the ball, throws himself up in the air, has just one stump to aim at and he scores a direct hit at the non- |
| End of an outstanding day of Test cricket. It all started with the Aussie speedsters derailing the Indian innings in the morning. Mitchell Starc, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins were stupendous with their efforts as they brought the visiting team on the mat. All of them picked up a couple of wickets apiece and Nathan Lyon also contributed to the cause by hunting down the dangerous looking Rohit Sharma and Rishabh Pant. |
| For India, it looks like a sorry scorecard. The top order got blown away in no time and they were reeling at 41/4 at one stage. After that, Cheteshwar Pujara found an ally in Rohit Sharma and together they formed a partnership. Just when it seemed that Sharma will run away with the show, a moment of brain fade resulted in his demise from the crease. Pujara though didn't lose hope and kept on adding partnerships with the lower order. Courtesy his hundred, the visitors have got a respectable total |
| It's time to sign off. We witnessed 87.5 overs of quality Test cricket and are expecting more of the same on Day 2. India also have the powerhouse in their bowling to succeed and Australia's weakest suit will be put under pressure. Promises to be a riveting contest between bat and ball. Do join us at 1030 local (0000 GMT) for all the action. Cheers! |
| ... DAY 2, SESSION 1 ... |
| The first day of this Test series lived up to the expectations as we witnessed plenty of action. There was some extraordinary pace bowling, quite a few loose shots, turn and bounce for the spinner and a knock of heroic patience. We're greedy, we want more and we're back for some more dose of quality Test cricket. Hello and welcome everyone, stay with us for further updates. |
| Cheteshwar Pujara was a satisfied man last evening and has already called it one of his top five knocks. Also, he feels that India have posted a decent total on the board as he found the pitch to be two-paced and not easy for stroke-making. Let's wait and watch how Australia will respond with the bat. First up, they will have to pick India's last wicket. |
| Pitch report - Brendon Julian is by the pitch side and mentions that there is some more course grass on the surface than Day 1. He feels that the Indian bowlers will have to get their lengths right. Informs that only 19 from the 250 runs scored yesterday came down the ground which tells the two-paced nature of the wicket. He believes that today will be the best day to bat but the batsmen will have to watch out for the new ball spell. |
| It's time to get underway. The Australian players are entering the arena. Mohammad Shami and Jasprit Bumrah are the Indian batsmen. Josh Hazlewood to complete his over. |
| 87.6 : J Hazlewood to Shami, OUT! Strangled down the leg side! Hazlewood bowls a gentle loosener, it' short and going down the leg side. Shami tries to play the pull shot but ends up gloving it behind. Paine dives full length to his left and takes a fine catch. They appeal and the finger has gone up. India are all out for 250! |
| Right then, it took the Aussies just one ball to pick the last Indian wicket. An excellent performance by their bowlers. They were right on the button from the very first ball on Day 1. Their speedsters destroyed India's top order and it required a patient century by Cheteshwar Pujara to provide some respectability to their total. His stands with the lower half were crucial and credit should be given to them for hanging in there. |
| The morning freshness will be there in the surface and the Indian bowlers will like to gain advantage from that with the new ball. The Australian bowlers have done their job and now it's time for their batsmen to step up and deliver. They will be out soon to commence their innings. Stay tuned. |
Google +
Facebook
Twitter
Whatsapp