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Rediff.com  » Cricket » PICS: Australia vs India, 4th Test, Day 2

PICS: Australia vs India, 4th Test, Day 2

Last updated on: January 16, 2021 12:53 IST
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Images from Day 2 of the fourth Test between Australia and India, at the Gabba, on Saturday.

Australia pacer Pat Cummins celebrates with Mitchell Starc after dismissing India opener Shubman Gill during Day 2 of the fourth Test, at the Gabba, in Brisbane, on Saturday.

IMAGE: Australia pacer Pat Cummins celebrates with Mitchell Starc after dismissing India opener Shubman Gill during Day 2 of the fourth Test, at the Gabba, in Brisbane, on Saturday. Photograph: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

India were 62 for 2 in reply to Australia's first innings total of 369 at stumps on a rain-curtailed second day in the fourth and final Test, at the Gabba, in Brisbane, on Saturday.

 

India lost young Shubhman Gill (7)early before vice-captain Rohit Sharma (44) threw his wicket away before the tea break.

The entire third session was lost as wet outfield did not allow play to resume.

Cheteshwar Pujara (8) and skipper Ajinkya Rahane (2) will resume India's response on Sunday morning.

Groundsmen cover the pitch as rain stops play after tea on Day 3

IMAGE: Groundsmen cover the pitch as rain stops play after tea on Day 3. Photograph: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

India trail Australia by 307 runs in the first innings.

The hosts added 95 runs to their overnight total in the extended opening session after resuming at 274 for 5.

A 39-run partnership for the ninth wicket between Nathan Lyon (24) and Mitchell Starc (20 not out) hurt India.

Pacer Shardul Thakur (3/94) and debutant off-spinner Washington Sundar (3/89) shared four of the five wickets that fell today.

Marnus Labuschagne had struck a century on the opening day for Australia.

Session 1:

India pacer Shardul Thakur celebrates after dismissing Tim Paine during Day 2 of the fourth Test against Australia at the Gabba, on Saturday.

IMAGE: India pacer Shardul Thakur celebrates after dismissing Tim Paine. Photograph: Jono Searle/Getty Images

India's rookie bowlers put up a lion-hearted effort to bowl out Australia for 369 before lunch on Day 2.

Shardul Thakur (3/94) and debutants Washington Sundar (3/89) and Thangarasu Natarajan (3/78) effected a mini lower-middle-order collapse during the morning session to knock over five wickets for 95 runs.

Cameron Green is bowed by Washington Sundar.

IMAGE: Cameron Green is bowed by Washington Sundar. Photograph: Jono Searle/Getty Images

For an attack as thin on experience as India, the effort in adverse times can only be commended. India lost five main bowlers through the three Test series and were forced to hand Test debuts to Natarajan and Sundar.

Nathan Lyon (24 off 22 balls) and Mitchell Starc (20 off 35 balls) counter-attacked the inexperienced Indian attack with a brisk 39-run partnership to take Australia past the 350-run mark.

Shardul Thakur appeals for the wicket of Pat Cummins.

IMAGE: Shardul Thakur appeals for the wicket of Pat Cummins. Photograph: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Going by statistics, Australia have never lost a Test match at the Gabba after scoring 350 in the first innings.

Resuming at 274 for 5, Tim Paine (50) and Cameron Green (47) extended their stand to 98 before the home team encountered a mini-collapse.

Thakur bowled a fuller delivery that shaped away and Paine's lazy drive, without going to the pitch of the delivery, saw Rohit Sharma take a regulation catch at second slip.

Paine was just getting into the groove with some good drives when Thakur provided the breakthrough.

Nathan Lyon is bowled by Washington Sundar.

IMAGE: Nathan Lyon is bowled by Washington Sundar. Photograph: Jono Searle/Getty Images

With the partnership broken, Green probably lost his concentration as he played for the turn to an angled delivery from Sundar which straightened after pitching and breached through his defences.

Pat Cummins (2) was adjudged leg before to a fuller delivery from Thakur as Australia slumped from 311 for five to 315 for eight.

However, Starc and Lyon, playing his 100th Test match, threw their bats around and Thakur, getting a touch greedy, started bowling short which wasn't as ineffective as it would be for bowlers with pace above 140 clicks.

Sundar bowled Lyon round his legs to get his third scalp and Natarajan finished it off by knocking Josh Hazlewood's off-stump.

Session 2

Australia pacer Pat Cummins celebrates after taking the wicket of India opener Shubman Gill

IMAGE: Australia pacer Pat Cummins is congratulated by teammates after taking the wicket of India opener Shubman Gill. Photograph: Jono Searle/Getty Images

Rohit Sharma's customary flair was blemished by a moment's indiscretion as India reached 62 for 2 at tea, after their rookie bowling attack restricted Australia to 369 in the first innings.

Rohit was elegant as ever in his 44 off 74 balls before Nathan Lyon, playing his 100th Test, enticed him to come down the track. The half-chip-half-loft was safely pouched by Mitchell Starc in the deep.

India also lost Shubman Gill (7), who edged one off Pat Cummins to Steve Smith.

Rohit Sharma bats during Day 2

IMAGE: Rohit Sharma was composed as ever in his 74-ball 44. Photograph: Jono Searle/Getty Images

Cheteshwar Pujara (8) and Ajinkya Rahane (2) added only two runs in the 6.1 overs before the break.

There were six boundaries from Rohit, but he did not fiddle at deliveries in and around the off-stump channel even as Cummins and Josh Hazlewood bowled a testing spell under overcast conditions.

Australia's players celebrate after Nathan Lyon dismisses Rohit Sharma

IMAGE: Australia's players celebrate after Nathan Lyon dismisses Rohit Sharma. Photograph: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

The shot of the session was an on-drive off Cummins which came after a streaky boundary through the slips in the same over.

Another delightful stroke was an on-drive off Cameron Green as 49 runs were added for the second wicket.

Cheteshwar Pujara bats during Day 2

IMAGE: Cheteshwar Pujara was content playing his usual 'grinding out' game early on. Photograph: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

There wasn't much swing on offer but the pace off the track has increased compared to the first day and it only helped that the Australian pace attack is a more well-built one with average speed being at least 6-7 kmph more than their Indian counterparts.

Pujara, at the other end, was playing his usual 'grinding out' game but it did not look too arduous till Rohit kept the scoreboard ticking at the other end.

In the first session, India's rookie bowling line-up did put up a lion-hearted effort, getting the last five wickets for 95 runs.

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