India vs Australia: Skipper Ajinkya Rahane’s masterful hundred helps India to 82-run lead at end of Day 2
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Day 2 of the second Test between India and Australia in Melbourne well and truly belonged to the visitors as they ended with a 82-run lead and 5 wickets in the bag. The more than handy lead was obtained largely due to an authoritative hundred by stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane. The Aussies bowlers were only able to pick 4 wickets on the day as the elegant right-hand batter held firm.
Earlier, beginning on 36/1, Shubman Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara took the partnership to 61 before the former perished to Pat Cummins. Very soon, Pujara departed as well, in similar fashion to his dismissal in the second innings at the Adelaide Oval during the 36-debacle. Ajinkya Rahane walked in at No. 4 and was joined by Hanuma Vihari.
Rahane stitches good stands with Vihari, Pant and Jadeja
The stand between Rahane and Vihari seemed really promising for India with both batsmen looking assured and confident. However, Vihari’s decision to show a bit of attacking intent led to his downfall against off-spinner Nathan Lyon. It was then Rishabh Pant who walked in with a lot more intent than Vihari and struck some quick runs while his skipper held firm at the other end.
Even as Pant edged a Mitchell Starc delivery to the keeper, Rahane showed no signs of stopping as he continued playing in his trademark composed fashion. He was well-supported by Ravindra Jadeja who struck just 1 four but was steady in his stroke-play. Australia were guilty of dropping a lot of chances with Rahane riding a bit of luck but the dropped catches will not and did not take the sheen away from what was without a doubt, a masterly century which has put India in a position of great strength.
1st innings – Australia:
| Batsman | Mode of Dismissal | Runs | Balls |
| Joe Burns | c Pant b Bumrah | 0 | 10 |
| Matthew Wade | c Jadeja b Ashwin | 30 | 39 |
| Marnus Labuschagne | c Gill b Siraj | 48 | 132 |
| Steve Smith | c Pujara b Ashwin | 0 | 8 |
| Travis Head | c Rahane b Bumrah | 38 | 92 |
| Cameron Green | lbw b Siraj | 12 | 60 |
| Tim Paine | c Vihari b Ashwin | 13 | 38 |
| Pat Cummins | c Siraj b Jadeja | 9 | 33 |
| Mitchell Starc | c Siraj b Bumrah | 7 | 8 |
| Nathan Lyon | lbw b Bumrah | 20 | 17 |
| Josh Hazlewood | not out | 4 | 1 |
Total: 195 all-out in 72.3 overs
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
| Jasprit Bumrah | 16 | 56 | 4 |
| Umesh Yadav | 12 | 39 | 0 |
| Ravichandran Ashwin | 24 | 35 | 3 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | 5.3 | 15 | 1 |
| Mohammed Siraj | 15 | 40 | 2 |
1st innings – India:
| Batsman | Mode of Dismissal | Runs | Balls |
| Mayank Agarwal | lbw b Starc | 0 | 6 |
| Shubman Gill | c Paine b Cummins | 45 | 65 |
| Cheteshwar Pujara | c Paine b Cummins | 17 | 70 |
| Ajinkya Rahane | not out | 104 | 200 |
| Hanuma Vihari | c Smith b Lyon | 21 | 66 |
| Rishabh Pant | c Paine b Starc | 29 | 40 |
| Ravindra Jadeja | not out | 40 | 104 |
Total: 277/5 in 91.3 overs
| Bowler | Overs | Runs | Wickets |
| Mitchell Starc | 18.3 | 61 | 2 |
| Pat Cummins | 22 | 71 | 2 |
| Josh Hazlewood | 21 | 44 | 0 |
| Nathan Lyon | 18 | 52 | 1 |
| Cameron Green | 12 | 31 | 0 |
Also Read: India vs Australia: ‘Indian fast bowling department is mind-boggling,’ says Sunil Gavaskar
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Nevin Clinton
(2399 Articles Published)