BENGALURU: Australian batsmen put up a dogged display to take their side to 237 for 6 in 106 overs at the end of day two of the second Test match against India here on Sunday. Australia have a lead of 48 runs over India.
Matthew Wade was batting on 25 while Mitchell Starc was 14 not out. Indian spinner Ravindra Jadeja bagged three wickets for 49 runs.
Australia began the day at their overnight total of 40 for no loss in reply to India’s 189 all out on Saturday. The Indians bowling attack was disciplined and there were not many runs for the visitors. But they held on well.
David Warner (33) and Matt Renshaw (60) put up 52 runs in their opening stand, Renshaw and Shaun Marsh (66) put up 52 for the third wicket and Shaun Marsh and Matthew Wade (25 batting) brought up 57 for the sixth wicket.
Opening batsman David Warner was bowled for 33 runs to a beautiful delivery from R Ashwin in the 22nd over. After that, India’s speedsters Ishant Sharma and Umesh Yadav and Ashwin troubled the Australian batsmen but to no avail. Though the scoring was a little slow, the batsmen held on.
Australia’s second wicket, that of captain Steve Smith (8), fell at 82. He was caught by wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha off Ravindra Jaedja in the 42nd over.
Earlier in the day, the passions ruled high as the Indians and Australians exchanged a lot of banter and the umpires had to intervene a couple of times to calm things down.
The pitch seemed pretty dry on the second day and the cracks were more visible. That obviously meant there was help for the spinners.
vivekphadnis@newindianexpress.com