India vs Australia, 1st Test Day 2 Highlights: Rohit Sharma, Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel Take IND to 321/7 at Stumps, Extend Lead to 144

Australia started picked a couple of wickets in each of the three sessions of the second day of the first Test against Australia. All three times it appeared that they are pulling things back. All three occasions, the Indian batters snatched the advantage away from them with superb response. The first two breaks were given by debutant Todd Murphy when he removed Ravichandran Ashwin and Cheteshwar Pujara. And then in the second session, he completed accounted for Virat Kohli with Nathan Lyon then removing another debutant Suryakumar Yadav. India were reduced to 168/5 after starting the day at 77/1. However, Rohit Sharma batted solidly, unfazed to keep the innings from unravelling. And then he was rewarded with a fine century which he brought up in the second session. Once the final session began, Australia hit back. Pat Cummins got rid of Rohit Sharma on 120 with a peach and then Murphy completed his five-wicket haul. However, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel caused them some heartburn with the pair stitched a superb partnership that took the lead past the 100-run mark. Jadeja and Axar each scored a half-century as India finished the day on 312/7, leading by 144 runs

STUMPS! So the day’s play has ended and India continue to be ahead of Australia in Nagpur. There was another dropped catch from Steve Smith as he put down a chance in the slip region after Nathan Lyon drew an edge from Ravindra Jadeja in the final over. That dropped catch allowed jadeja to remain unbeaten as India finished the day at 321/7 in 114 overs and lead by 144 runs. Jadeja is unbeaten on 66 while Axar Patel is unbeaten on 52.

With a single to long-off, Axar Patel brings up a fine half-century – his second of Test career. India 314/7 in 110.4 overs, lead by 137 runs.

A juicy full toss from Marnus Labuschagne and Axar Patel pounces on it send it flying towards midwicket region for a four. Seven runs from the over take India to 310/7 in 107 overs. Axar batting on 47 off 76.

Axar Patel opens the face of the bat to steer one to third man region for a four which also takes India’s score past the 100-run mark. India 301/7 in 104.1 overs, lead by 126 runs.

Yet another fifty-run partnership for India now. This time between Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel for the eighth wicket. Axar Patel with a drive to the right of mid-on for a four off Pat Cummins takes the partnership to 52 off 110. IND 292/7, lead by 115 runs.

Well, Axar Patel wants to have some fun now. He has gotten himself a couple of fours in as many overs – the first of them off Todd Murphy as he cut one away through point right after leaving a delivery that missed the stumps by just an inch. And then he started the next over of Nathan Lyon sending David Warner on another long unsuccessful chase. IND 287/7 in 100 overs, lead by 110.

Ravindra Jadeja cuts one from Nathan Lyon sending David Warner on a long, unsuccessful leather hunt. And it fetches Jadeja a boundary which also take India’s score to 277/7 meaning they now lead by 100 runs.

The two India allrounders have brought things under control after the session started with two quick jolts. Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel have added 32 runs so far between them for the third wicket now. Jadeja on 53 off 128, Axar batting on 16 off 42. IND 272/7 lead by 95 runs.

FIFTY! The crowd erupts. Ravindra Jadeja takes a single and gets to his fifty on international return. He has followed this effort from the bat after taking a five-for yesterday. Splendid comeback. Sword Celebration delights the crowed further. Took him 114 deliveries. IND 257/7 in 92.4 overs, lead by 80 runs.

Nathan Lyon is getting the ball to turn quite prodigiously now. Ravichandran Ashwin would be licking his fingers sitting in the dressing room. He drew an edge from Axar Patel but the ball fell short of the slip fielder. And then he beat the outside edge of Ravindra Jadeja off the final delivery. IND 255/7 in 92 overs, lead by 78 runs.

With a single, Axar Patel brings up India’s 250 in 88.3 overs. India now lead by 73 runs with three wickets remaining. Ravindra Jadeja is on 45 off 107, Axar batting on 2 off 15.

Two allrounders – Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel – with similar skillsets are out in the middle. Ravindra Jadeja more accomplished of the two. Both capable of accelerating at will. Should be an interesting session from now own based on how these two bat. Australia currently on top. IND 246/7 in 86 overs, lead by 69 runs.

Another superb review from Australia but this time, the umpire’s call saves Ravindra Jadeja. The ball hits the flap of the back foot pad bringing into play the ball tracker and it suggests the ball could hit the stumps. Review retained but the on-field decision of not out stays. IND 246/7 in 84.2 overs, lead by 69 runs.

WICKET! A five-wicket haul on debut for Todd Murphy. What a dream start to his Test career this has been. And it’s just the second day of the Nagpur Test. He has trapped India debutant KS Bharat LBW on 8. This one was full and Bharat came forward for a defensive shot and was beaten. The umpire turned down the appeal before Aussies signalled for a review. And ball-tracker predicts it would have middle-leg. IND 240/7 in 83.1 overs, lead by 65 runs.

He might have walked into bat in his first ever Test but KS Bharat has no jitters. After getting off the mark with a thick edge, he slog-sweeps the next delivery from Todd Murphy to midwicket region for a four. 7 runs from the over take India to 236/6 in 82 overs, lead by 59 runs.

WICKET! The new ball does the trick for Australia. Right after being dropped by Steve Smith, Rohit Sharma sees his off stump take a walk off the very next. A ripper from Australia captain Pat Cummins as Australia get their man in the first over after tea. This one moved a bit as Rohit was beaten on the edge. The ball sneaked past the bat to uproot the off stump. End of a magnificent innings from the India captain – he scored 120 off 212. IND 229/6 in 80.4 overs, lead by 52 runs.

So folks, the third session us upon us. Australia captain Pat Cummins is marking his run-up and setting up the field. Rohit Sharma is taking his guard. Ravindra Jadeja at the non-striker’s end. IND 226/5, lead by 49 runs.