Australia vs India, WTC Final: Day 2 – Talking Points

It was an entertaining day of Test cricket where India got back into the game. Australia lost 7 wickets for 142 runs on this day despite racking up 327 for the loss of three wickets on Day 1. And here’s India who lost half of their wickets after scoring 151 runs. Steve Smith got to his 31st Test century. Travis Head also converted his ton into a Test 150. Mohammed Siraj attacked him with plenty of short balls mixed with other lengths and eventually got rewarded after the Head gloved one to KS Bharat. Mohammad Shami got Cameron Green playing a false shot.

Steve Smith, holding at one end, chopped a length delivery from Shardul Thakur back to the stumps. It was followed by the dismissal of Mitchell Starc who was run out by a piece of sensational fielding from substitute Axar Patel. This saw the Aussie side curtailed to 402-7. A 51-run partnership followed which frustrated the Indian bowlers like anything. Alex Carey led the charge and went on to score 48 runs (69) before getting dismissed to Ravindra Jadeja who was introduced late by the Indian skipper. The tail went to score some more runs before Mohammed Siraj cleaned up the tail, ending the tally at 469. 

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In reply, Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill walked out to bat and too India too a steady start but Pat Cummins drew the first blood and trapped the Indian skipper leg before wicket. It was followed by a peach of a delivery from Scott Boland that caused an error in judgment from Shubman Gill, watching the ball jag in and clatter the middle and off pole. All of a sudden, India were pushed on the back foot. India’s no. 3 and 4- Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli negated the bowlers until Tea and eventually departed in the initials of the third session.

Green cleaned up Pujara while Kohli was surprised by the steep bounce generated by Starc from a good length. India avoided sending in a Nightwatchman and pushed KS Bharat to go out and face the music. The gloveman did get a few blows around the elbow before scampering a couple and helping India touch the 150 runs mark. Australia ended the day on a high and will be looking to bundle out Indians early on day 3.