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This article was first published 11 years ago

PHOTOS: India v Australia, Mohali Test, Day 2

Last updated on: March 15, 2013 18:41 IST

Image: David Warner and Ed Cowan of Australia walk out to bat
Photographs: BCCI

Australia failed to capitalise on a century partnership for the opening wicket and were reduced to 273 for 7 at stumps on Day 2 of the third Test against India, in Mohali, on Friday.

Comeback man Steven Smith and Mitchell Starc were unbeaten on 58 and 20 respectively at the end of the day's play.

Match Report

- Scorecard

Ravindra Jadeja was the man responsible for checking Australia's march after a solid opening partnership between Ed Cowan and David Warner, claiming three wickets for 56 runs. 

The Test finally commenced after rain clouds cleared up and Australia captain Michael Clarke won the toss and elected to bat.

Rain washed out the first day's play.

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PHOTOS: India vs Australia, Mohali Test, Day 2

Image: India pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar fields
Photographs: BCCI

The pitch is expected to help the spinners, as plenty of cracks are visible on the surface.

India made two changes to the team, bringing in left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha for Harbhajan Singh, while Shikhar Dhawan replaced Virender Sehwag.

Pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar tried a bit extra in the beginning but struggled with his line and length.

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PHOTOS: India vs Australia, Mohali Test, Day 2

Image: David Warner
Photographs: BCCI

Australia's openers Ed Cowan and David Warner batted sensibly. Warner collected the runs while Cowan was watchful.

The opening pair held fort bravely to keep the Indian bowlers at bay in the first sesion.

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PHOTOS: India vs Australia, Mohali Test, Day 2

Image: Sachin Tendulkar discusses tactics with MS Dhoni
Photographs: BCCI

MS Dhoni surprised many by going on the defensive very early.

The Indian bowling hardly made an impression, and, as a result, the Aussies made good progress in the first hour.

 

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PHOTOS: India vs Australia, Mohali Test, Day 2

Image: Ishant Sharma shows his frustration after being hit for four
Photographs: BCCI

Warner showed great patience to bring up his fifty off 105 balls. This was his seventh fifty in Tests.

Australia were 109 for no loss in 36 overs at lunch on the opening day.

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PHOTOS: India vs Australia, Mohali Test, Day 2

Image: Ed Cowan congratulates David Warner on his fifty
Photographs: BCCI

The 'homework' seemed to have worked for Australia as their openers continued firmly post-lunch.

Warner and Cowan played patient knocks and looked good to add more to the team's total.

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PHOTOS: India vs Australia, Mohali Test, Day 2

Image: Ed Cowan celebrates his fifty
Photographs: BCCI

Ed Cowan brought up his fifty in style. He took 120 balls to complete his third fifty against India and broke his run of poor scores in the series.

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PHOTOS: India vs Australia, Mohali Test, Day 2

Image: MS Dhoni takes the catch to dismiss David Warner
Photographs: BCCI

Ravindra Jadeja finally provided the breakthrough for India, claiming the wicket of Warner.

Warner was caught by Dhoni, who ran forward after the ball looped off the batsman's bat-pad.

The opener fell after a matured knock of 71 from 147 balls. He and Cowan put on 139 runs for the opening wicket from 290 balls.

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PHOTOS: India vs Australia, Mohali Test, Day 2

Image: Dhoni stumps Michael Clarke
Photographs: BCCI

Michael Clarke's decision to go up from No 5 to No 3 in the batting order started disastrously.

Australia's captain was out for a duck, to the very first delivery he faced from Jadeja. The ball turned away sharply on landing, and an over-confident Clarke made the mistake of stepping out straightaway.

Australia were 180 for three in 72 overs at the tea break.

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PHOTOS: India vs Australia, Mohali Test, Day 2

Image: Ravindra Jadeja celebrates the wicket of Peter Siddle
Photographs: BCCI

Australia's innings was in tatters by the end of the day with the loss of seven wickets in the final two sessions of play.

Ravindra Jadeja enjoyed a good spell after lunch with three wickets, including two in two deliveries.

Jadeja continued to wreak havoc in the Aussie innings. He immediately had Peter Siddle trapped in front of the wicket after the tea break.

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PHOTOS: India v Australia, Mohali Test, Day 2

Image: Ishant Sharma celebrates after dismissing Brad Haddin
Photographs: BCCI

But it was Ishant Sharma's late twin-strike that pushed Australia on the backfoot after Cowan and Warner gave Australia a brilliant start on the day.

Ishant had Brad Haddin and Moises Henriques bowled to reduce Australia to 244 for six late into the final session of play.

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PHOTOS: India v Australia, Mohali Test, Day 2

Image: Steven Smith celebrates his fifty
Photographs: BCCI

Making a return to the Test fold after more than two years, Steven Smith kept up Australia's hopes. Smith stood firm and showed the right mix of aggression and resolve against the Indian spinners.

Enroute brilliant fifty, the 23-year-old added crucial runs with Brad Haddin for the fifth wicket and then stuck with Mitchell Starc, to stay unbeaten at close of play -- the duo putting on 22 runs for the eight wicket.


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