The game on Friday had enough positives for India, mainly the performance of Mohammad Shami and Suryakumar Yadav, but few questions still need to be answered ahead of the World Cup, beginning October 5.
Steven Smith (133) became the ninth Australian to score a century on captaincy debut as Australia wriggled out from a precarious 247 for 6 to post a mammoth 505 in their first innings in the second Test against India at the Gabba on Friday. He was well-supported by Mitchell Johnson (88) and Mitchell Starc (52) who made valuable contributions down the order, as the hosts took a first innings lead of 97 runs. India ended the third day on 71 for 1 in the second innings. Statistical highlights from the day's play. Statistical highlights from the day's play.
Did Rashid's cameo outshine all the other knocks?
After several losses in the early years of the new century, a resurgent India notched up two consecutive series wins in Australia to become the Aussies' nemesis.
Skipper Rohit Sharma would fancy a perfect culmination to Indian team's World Cup preparations as hosts eye a rare clean sweep of Australia in the third and final ODI in Rajkot on Wednesday.
With a batting average of just a shade under 30, the pugnacious Mitchell Johnson plundered the Indian bowling to register his ninth Test fifty and give Australia a fighting chance in the second Test at the Gabba.
Images from the 2nd One Day International between India and Australia at the Holkar Stadium in Indore on Sunday, September 24.
As much as Ishan Kishan has done his bit, India will need Iyer, the proverbial slayer of spin bowling in the middle overs during the World Cup.
Australia made a meal of it but successfully chased down 128 for a four-wicket victory and an unassailable 2-0 series lead after dismissing India for 224 on the fourth day of the second Test.
History has not seen a cricketing rivalry as fierce as this this century, every ball bowled every run taken, coming with no quarter given. Ahead of India's five Test tour of Australia, Norma Astrid Godinho/Rediff.com takes a walk down memory lane, recounting India's sojourns Down Under from 1947 to 2021, in a 4-part series.
From Shashank Singh and Ashutosh Sharma sharing the limelight with their raw talent, to SRH's Travis Head smashing some brutal boundaries to notch up big runs and totals for his franchise, this season has had some real power hitters on show.
India lost the crucial wicket of opener Murali Vijay after Steven Smith led Australia's fightback with a magnificent century on his captaincy debut. He received able support from Mitchell Johnson and Mitchell Starc, who both scored half-centuries. At close of play on Day 3 in the second Test , India were 71 for one in their second innings. Check out some images from the day's play.
Former Australian pacer Mitchell Johnson slammed India captain Virat Kohli, describing his behaviour as 'disrespectful' and 'silly' during the second Test in Perth.
Pacer Umesh Yadav conceded that the Indian bowlers' plans went awry as they sent down too many short balls, allowing the Australian tail-enders to stage a comeback and put up imposing 505 in the first innings of the second Test in Brisbane on Friday.
Most Indian engineers can code but are not confident in their ability to do so, notes Narayan Mahadevan.
Statistical highlights from the day's play.
Former world number one Serena Williams returns to Grand Slam action for the first time in over 15 months, when she goes up against Czech Kristyna Pliskova in the French Open first round.
With Australia taking a 2-0 lead in the four-match Test series against India, the scales are titled highly in favour of the hosts. History also shows that the Melbourne Cricket Ground has been a happy hunting ground for the hosts. With the Boxing Day Test around the corner, here is a quick look at how the teams stand.
Factbox on Saturday's World Cup match between Australia and Bangladesh.
Check out the images from the second semi-final between Australia and India at the ICC World Cup at the Sydney Cricket, on Thursday.
Following is a list of winners of the Sportsperson of the Year award by Sports Illustrated magazine.
The Department of Homeland Security and the Federal Bureau of Investigation are closely monitoring the events in Paris.
Images from Day 1 of the second Test between India and Australia played at the Gabba on Wednesday
India captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni revealed there was some 'unrest' in the dressing room before the start of fourth day's play in the second Test in Brisbane, on Saturday.
Fourteen-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal has entered the quarter-finals of the ATP Acapulco tournament with a comprehensive straight-sets victory over Italy's Paolo Lorenzi.
Photographs of the Day 4 play of the second Test between India and Australia being played in Brisbane.
Images from the World Cup final between Australia and New Zealand, at the MCG.
Usain Bolt's rivals will, for once, be glad to see the back of a man who has dominated global sprinting for the last decade but the sport of athletics will be far less enthusiastic about bidding a final farewell to the charismatic Jamaican.
A rampant Australia sealed a 5-0 Ashes series sweep by skittling England out for 166 to claim a 281-run victory with more than two days to spare in the fifth Test at the Sydney Cricket Ground on Sunday.
Shane Warne found himself at the centre of another one when he called pacer Mitchell Starc 'soft'.
Notwithstanding the 2-0 scoreline in favour of the home team, former Australian all-rounder Michael Bevan feels Indians have a good chance to bounce back in Melbourne in the third cricket Test, starting Friday.
The World No 1 bowler is also the ICC Test Cricketer of the Year.
Summary of sports events and persons who made news on Monday
I am lauding the Australians for the way they tampered the verbal spats.
Australia won the ICC cricket World Cup for a record fifth time when they beat New Zealand by seven wickets in the final at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on Sunday.
Dhawan was forced to cancel a trip to hospital for X-Rays on the injury and returned to the middle to resume his innings.
New Zealand are keen to build on the momentum of the inaugural day-night Test with their own 'pink ball' match, possibly against the touring South Africans, next season.
A dominant Australia looked firmly on course for a 5-0 Ashes series sweep when they reached 140 for four, a lead of 311, at close of play after skittling England for 155 on the second day of the fifth Test on Saturday.
Usain Bolt completed yet another crushing sprint double on Saturday and hardly needed to extend himself to achieve it as he took his third successive world 200 metres title in the year's fastest time of 19.66 seconds - easing down.
Raja Sen lists the highlights from the 89th annual Academy Awards.
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