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India vs Australia, 2nd Test Day 2 in Perth, Highlights: As It Happened
Highlights: Captain Virat Kohli led an Indian fightback on day two of the second Test against Australia at Perth on Saturday. At stumps, the visitors had overcome a terrible start and were 172 for three, still trailing the Australian first innings total of 326 by 154 runs with seven wickets in hand. The imperious Kohli was unbeaten on 82 and shaping as the major stumbling block for Australia, with Ajinkya Rahane also in fine touch on 51, with the pair having added 90 for the third wicket. (Full scorecard)
15:20 hrs IST
Stumps on Day 2
Quality partnership from the duo of Kohli and Rahane as they see India home on the second day. The Australians would have loved to pick a few more wickets here, but that is not the case as both Kohli and Rahane have been exceptional after Pujara was dismissed against the run of play. Kohli has moved into the 80s and will look to bring up his 100 on Sunday morning. The score reads 172/3, India trailing by 154 with 7 wickets in the bag.
15:07 hrs IST
Rahane gets 17th Test fifty
A knock of the highest order here from the Test deputy. Playing on a wicket that is definitely not one of the best for the batsmen, he has shown pure class as he has driven the ball as well as cut with equal ease. Kohli comes in to pat his deputy on the back on a brilliant knock. But the job is only half done.
15:05 hrs IST
4 overs to go in the day
Kohli moves into the 70s and Rahane is just one run away from a well-deserved fifty here. Coming in to bat with the game hanging in balance, Rahane has played a quality knock to give Kohli company and ensure that this game is right back in the bag for India. The pitch too has kind of eased out slightly.
14:55 hrs IST
Rahane looking to keep the pressure on Lyon
While Kohli has been happy to wait at the crease and play Lyon off the pitch, Rahane has shown intent here as well and has come down the track quite a few times to unsettle the off-spinner. While Rahane is yet to hit Lyon over the top, the idea to disturb Lyon’s line and length working really well here.
14:45 hrs IST
Australia on the backfoot
With Rahane and Kohli looking comfortable in the middle, Paine is at a loss of ideas and is trying to rotate his bowlers to get the team a wicket here before the end of the day’s play. Australia will love to dismiss one of these two before the end of the session. For India, both will want to bat till stumps and start afresh on Sunday morning.
14:35 hrs IST
50-run partnership for Kohli and Rahane
The two senior batsmen have shown a lot of application and determination to stitch together a 50-run partnership and bring the Indians right back into the game. After the loss of the two openers, it was important that the senior batsmen hold fort. So while it was Pujara and Kohli first, it is Kohli and Rahane now. Great stuff here from the Indians.
14:25 hrs IST
Quality show from Kohli and Rahane
This partnership the need of the hour for the visitors after Pujara was dismissed unfortunately down the leg side. Rahane has played perfect second fiddle to the skipper and there is no holding back when it comes to Kohli. He has been extremely patient here and is looking to make the most of the bad balls. Rahane too looking to keep at it at the other end. India will want these two to bat out the session.
14:15 hrs IST
Hazlewood bowling beautifully
He has been one of the most consistent bowlers in the series and once again, he is troubling Kohli. But Kohli too up to the challenge and grinding it out. Not ready to give away an inch either of the two. Australia will be praying for one more wicket before stumps on the second evening. Rahane too has looked really good here.
14:05 hrs IST
Paine turns to Lyon
Tim Paine looks a little out of place here as he does not have the answers for the way in which both Rahane and Kohli have tackled the Australian pacers and so turns to Lyon now who will be keen to pick at least one wicket before the end of the day’s play here on the second day. The home stretch now.
13:55 hrs IST
Rahane looking to stay positive
With Kohli looking good at the other end, Rahane also feels that it is important to keep the pressure on the Australian bowlers and he is keeping up the ante by looking to score runs here at a fast pace. The two have looked comfortable in the middle and the Indians will want them to keep batting till the end of the day’s play.
13:45 hrs IST
Kohli gets 20th fifty
Kohli has looked good right through the innings and now brings up his 20th Test fifty. Can he convert this into another 100? Rahane looking good with him. This is like the perfect combination for the Indians here as we see rain drops here. Hopefully the players can stay at the crease.
13:40 hrs IST
Kohli and Rahane looking good
While Kohli is anyway looking to stay positive and moving the scoring rate, Rahane is also on the attack mode here as he hits Starc for a six over third-man. Looks like Rahane is on a mission here to take the attack to the Australian bowlers. The intent is good here and Rahane should look to stay positive and score some much-needed runs here.
13:30 hrs IST
Rahane starts positively
A few attempted pulls, an upper cut and a flick to square leg to pick three. Rahane looks like he is in the mood to take the attack to the Australian bowlers on a wicket that has something for the bowlers. Throwing his hands at anything that is wide. Clearly looking to get things moving here is Rahane.
13:19 hrs IST
Starc gets Pujara down the leg
This is the worst possible way to get out as Pujara gloves one down the leg side as the Australians cannot believe their luck. The worst possible way to get out after doing all the hardwork. Goes for 24 as Paine is at his jubilant best. Rahane will now join skipper Kohli in the middle as the score reads 82/3. Pujara’s 103-ball essay at the crease comes to an end.
13:15 hrs IST
Aussies using the bouncer trick here
Cummins and Starc both looking to use the bouncer here, but doesn’t look like the two Indians batsmen will bother as they have together played over 190 deliveries and will already be seeing the ball nice and early. The Indians just need to ensure that they end the session without losing a wicket here and that will be advantage India for sure.
13:05 hrs IST
Australia lose a review
Cummins hits Pujara on the pad, rather on the top of it. But Cummins was excited and Paine went with his bowler to ask for a review. But that was high and looked just that when seen in full motion. The umpire had rightly given that as NOT OUT. The Australian players are not too impressed as they have now lost a review. The Australians realise the need to pick a wicket here.
12:55 hrs IST
Kohli into the 40s
The players are back after the tea interval and Kohli has moved into the 40s and looking good for more here as he has shown composure and not looking to over attack at all. Playing the situation here is Kohli and Pujara is giving him company at the crease as the score reads 74/2.
12:30 hrs IST
Tea on Day 2
India skipper Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara holding fort here as the players walk off for tea on the second day. The score reads 70/2 with Kohli on 37 and Pujara on 23. Both have complemented each other. All the results open here still and the Indian batsmen must grind it out this evening.
12:25 hrs IST
Kohli looking to fight it out
It is not the best of wickets for batsmen, but Kohli has been more than happy to grind it out after looking to start well with a flurry of boundaries. Kohli’s innings will go a long way in determining India’s position in the game. India need the skipper to score runs for the visitors to come back into the game.
12:12 hrs IST
50-run partnership for Kohli and Pujara
This has been a brilliant show of batsmanship from Kohli and Pujara here. Both completely different players when it comes to approaching a situation, while Kohli has looked to attack the bowlers and pile the pressure, Pujara has been more than happy to pick the singles and hold fort. The Indians will feel happy if these two take them to tea on the second afternoon.
12:00 hrs IST
Ball still moving viciously off the wicket
Kohli and Pujara have their task cut-out here as the ball is still moving around off the wicket and the batsmen cannot lose focus for even a second here. Just a few more overs to go before the players take tea and the Indians will want their no.3 and no.4 batsmen to stay at the crease till then. The contest between Pujara and Lyon has also been brilliant.
11:50 hrs IST
Lyon looking to put pressure
The off-spinner brings in the silly point against Pujara and the India No.3 welcomes the move by dancing down the track and looking to drive the spinner. Interesting times coming up here as both teams are looking to win the advantage. The partnership has gone well for India and they would want to go into the tea break without losing another wicket.
11:40 hrs IST
Slow and steady for the Indians
Not looking to over-attack, but putting the bad balls away here as Kohli and Pujara have already put on 40 runs for the second wicket. This is a crucial partnership for India here after losing both the openers cheaply. Kohli is stroking it freely while Pujara is happy to keep the scoreboard ticking with the singles.
11:30 hrs IST
Australia looking for wickets
With both Kohli and Pujara looking good in the middle, the Australian bowlers need wickets here to get into the game. Kohli and Pujara need to ensure that they do not hand the hosts a wicket in this session having already lost opener KL Rahul at the start. The score reads 43/2
11:20 hrs IST
The GOAT is here
Tim Paine has turned to Nathan Lyon now and a huge roar from the crowd as they love him all across the country. Kohli and Pujara both need to be patient. They cannot look to over attack and lose the plot here. Need to be cautious and they are already looking good here as the score reads 40/2.
11:10 hrs IST
Kohli and Pujara looking good
After the initial burst from the Australian bowlers, both Kohli and Pujara have looked like they are ready to grind it out and make the Australian bowlers pay for the bad balls. Clearly not the easiest wicket to bat on, but these are professionals who have done well across the world and must put in a good show to improve India’s chances of regaining position in the game. The score reads 38/2.
11:00 hrs IST
Virat Kohli on fire
This is a masterclass on show here. Looks like Kohli is batting on a different wicket here as he is just dealing in boundaries. Hazlewood at the receiving end here as Kohli hits 3 boundaries in the over. This is vintage Kohli on show and the Australians need to ensure that the India skipper does not get into the groove and take the game away with the bat.
10:50 hrs IST
Kohli and Pujara look to stitch partnership
The Australian bowlers are clearly on top here and it is very important for Kohli and Pujara to ensure that they keep battling it out and not succumb to the pressure that the Australian bowlers are trying to put on the Indians here. Clearly not the best of wickets to bat on, but the job is to be done.
10:38 hrs IST
Hazlewood cleans up Rahul
Plays all around a full ball and makes that a yorker. What was he doing here? Rahul goes for 2 as the wickets are all over the place. Having shown eagerness to stick it in, these will be a clear case of loss of focus. India need to show a bit more application here as skipper Kohli comes in to join Pujara. The score reads 8/2.
10:30 hrs IST
Hazlewood starts proceedings post lunch
Pujara takes strike with KL Rahul and Hazlewood is on the money from the word go here. Bowling in good rhythm from the top itself. Looks like Rahul and Pujara need to stay focused as the wicket too isn’t the most conducive for batting here. No demons here but it is helping the fast bowlers. The Australian bowlers are encouraging the drive and looking to hit the top of the off-stump.
9:49 hrs IST
Stumps are shattered
That ball was full, that ball was on a length, Vijay tried to drive, left a gap between pad and bat and the ball snaked past the bat and smashed the stumps. Starc is all pumped up. LUNCH it is
9:39 hrs IST
Maiden to start proceedings
There was one loose stroke in that over from Rahul and barring that, he was pretty watchful The Australian bowlers need to target the stumps and make the batsmen play a lot more
9:34 hrs IST
Indian openers are out there
The atmosphere is conducive to seam and swing, the pitch is spicy and the Indian openers are under the pump. This will be a testing phase for both Rahul and Vijay against the red Kookaburra.
9:25 hrs IST
Starc dismissed, Hazlewood follows
That ball from Ishant was full and wide, Starc went after it and nicked it behind. Hazlewood comes and goes, he nicks it behind, Pant dives across and takes an acrobatic catch
Best figures for Ishant in Australia - 4/41. Goes past 3/38 at the Gabba in 2014.
9:17 hrs IST
India’s problem with the tail
Considering that the tail is wagging consistently, nowadays, Indian bowlers must try and have more concentration of good length balls (as seen on left to top order batsman) and curb the excessive variation to lower order batsmen as seen on right.#sonysix pic.twitter.com/uNfDUsxFEx
— Sanjay Manjrekar (@sanjaymanjrekar) December 15, 2018
9:15 hrs IST
The Australian bowlers will be delighted
Surprise surprise ... Stumps targeted ... 2 wickets fall ... #AUSvIND ... this pitch is doing all sorts ...
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) December 15, 2018
9:07 hrs IST
Bumrah gets Paine
Stone dead! The Australian captain was way back in his crease, the ball was straight and it pinned him bang in front of the stumps. India go bang bang!
9:04 hrs IST
Umesh strikes
That was an absolute peach from Umesh Yadav, pitching on middle and off and then snaking past the forward prod of Cummins to dislodge the stumps. India finally break through the resistance
9:02 hrs IST
India have not been on the mark
India bowled 451 balls with the Quicks yesterday ... Only 14 would have Hit the Stumps ... that’s 3 % !!!!! Today is less than that ..... !!!! They are getting it wrong in #Perth #AUSvIND @FoxCricket
— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) December 15, 2018
8:57 hrs IST
The Cummins factor for Australia
Average partnerships that Pat Cummins has been involved in since the start of last season is 27.38, (794 runs of which he has scored 355 at 22.19). For Mitchell Starc, a previous #8, it's 370 runs at 17.62, personally making 210 at 12.35.
— Ric Finlay (@RicFinlay) December 15, 2018
8:50 hrs IST
Paine battling on
The Australian captain has had an injury concern, but is battling hard to take his side to a position of safety
8:43 hrs IST
Umesh looking sharp
He is looking to target the stumps and is getting the ball to move just enough to pose questions. However, the batsmen have somehow managed to work around the threat
8:37 hrs IST
300 raised
Tip and run. Paine calls Cummins through for a single and Australia have reached 300. This can be a great score on this pitch
8:29 hrs IST
Extra pace and bounce on the surface
The old WACA had the second lowest % of LBW and Bowled dismissals...the new Perth stadium is in line to carry forward the legacy. #ausvind #7cricket @7Cricket @1116sen
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) December 15, 2018
8:25 hrs IST
No breakthroughs yet
Very few deliveries have been on target which would have hit the stumps and the Australians have got away in this first half an hour. The match is drifting away from India
8:12 hrs IST
Cummins is no slouch with the bat
In Test cricket, Pat Cummins is dismissed every 112 defensive strokes. That is a better record than his top-order colleagues Tim Paine, Usman Khawaja and Shaun Marsh. He is an extremely accomplished batsman, perhaps deserving of a promotion. #AUSvIND
— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) December 15, 2018
8:04 hrs IST
Paine holds the key
The Australian captain looks to be in good touch and his form will be imperative if the hosts have to push this total near 400. Indians need to keep plugging away
7:54 hrs IST
Solid start
Yes, the pitch is lively, it is dubious, it is tough work. The ball is seaming, it is taking off, Australia will be thrilled they already have a score on the board. The surface will only get more notorious for the batsmen
7:50 hrs IST
Out walk the players
Tim Paine and Pat Cummins are out there. Kohli has led his team out. Shami will start with the ball, boy, Test cricket is such a delight. Let’s go!
7:44 hrs IST
Bumrah needs to fire this morning
He was brilliant yesterday and one such ball evoked memories of Jeff Thomson.
Read and watch the delivery here
7:37 hrs IST
The Pujara threat
Pujara was at his absolute best in Adelaide where he soaked up 450 balls across both innings and after scoring 131 in the first innings, followed it up with a defiant 71 in the second dig.
This is what the Australians are planning to counter the CHE
7:13 hrs IST
Allan Border was not very happy with India’s bowling
“Given the amount of deliveries that went past the outside edge India will feel they could have had a better day. They bowled well but if I’m being supercritical they were a little bit short,” he wrote in a column for Foxsports.
7:08 hrs IST
When Kohli flew
The Aussies were at 145/3 at Tea and India needed to strike early in the final session and they did. Ishant Sharma bowled a shortish delivery that caught Peter Handscomb high on the bat. The ball flew to second slip where captain Virat Kohli took off and pouched the catch.
Watch and read about the catch here
7:06 hrs IST
Visuals of the pitch
The pitch on day two. Thoughts?
📺 Watch LIVE on Fox Cricket &
📰 join our match centre: https://t.co/srfYejz8uS #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/zRlLOEskjY
— Fox Cricket (@FoxCricket) December 15, 2018
7:03 hrs IST
Ponting factor in Finch’s innings
After an uneasy innings in Adelaide, Aaron Finch looked far more settled in this Test match and the right-hander credited former Australian captain Ricky Ponting for passing on the tips.
Read more about this story here.
6:54 hrs IST
India’s bowling attack under the scanner
On a day when Hanuma Vihar’s part time off spin accounted for 2 wickets, India could well have done with the services of a specialist spinner in Ravindra Jadeja. Former England captain Michael Vaughan too believed the same.
6:38 hrs IST
Hello and welcome
After an intriguing first day, all eyes will be on the Indian bowlers as they have struggled to dismiss the lower order in the recent past. They cannot afford Australia to get away and pile on a score which can become extremely challenging for the Indian batsmen on a pitch which has plenty of nip and assistance for the new ball bowlers.
