Australia have had another tough day at the office in Nagpur, forced to stay out in the field as India pile on the runs in the first innings of the first Test.
Todd Murphy claimed a five-wicket haul on debut, but that was the only highlight for the visitors in a gruelling day that saw the hosts take a commanding lead.
Rohit Sharma reached triple-figures in stunning fashion, while some middle and lower-order resistance from Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel - who both remain unbeaten heading into the third day - put a nail in Australia's coffin.
The Sporting News had all the scores, analysis and talking points throughout the day's play below.
MORE: DAY 1 TALKING POINTS AND ANALYSIS
India vs Australia 1st Test live scores - End of Day 2
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AUSTRALIA (1st Innings) |
177 (63.5) |
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INDIA (1st Innings) - Stumps |
7/321 (114) Ravindra Jadeja 66* (170) Axar Patel 52* (102) |
India vs Australia Day 2 talking points and analysis
Jadeja and Patel combine to put a nail in Aussies' coffin
The chances of Australia winning this Test match continued to dwindle late on the second day in Nagpur, with a brutal partnership between Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel helping India to a profound lead.
With the score at 5/168 and debutant spinner Todd Murphy thriving, there was a sense of optimism that the Aussies could turn things around and go into the second innings with a chance of victory.
But as the day dragged on, Jadeja and Patel combined for an 81-run stand that may have ended any chance of the visitors taking the 1-0 series lead, presenting them with a difficult road ahead in the next three days.
Steve Smith's dropped catch in the final over will only add insult to injury for the Aussies after a tough day.
The first session on Saturday will dictate the match and perhaps the series - with two set batsmen at the crease and plenty of time remaining, India could build an unbeatable first innings lead.
India's tail-wagging proves a major difference in first innings
While the visitors were outclassed in a plethora of areas in the first innings, the tail-end of both side's batting lineups proved to be a major difference.
Australia lost their final five wickets for just 14 runs and with skipper Pat Cummins batting at No.8, it gives them an extremely weak bottom-order. After being 5/163, the side were bowled out for just 177 with plenty of time remaining in the opening day of play.
India on the other hand were able to build consistent partnerships throughout the entire lineup.
Despite being in a similar position to the Aussies at 5/168, they managed to fight their way to a strong first innings lead thanks to a gritty half-century from Ravindra Jadeja and an entertaining fifty from Axar Patel.
Australia should look to rectify this issue at the selection table, because the differences in depth across the two batting lineups is evident.
Second new ball works wonders for Aussies
Pat Cummins has finally struck and it took the second new ball to do so, ripping Rohit Sharma’s off-stump out of the ground right after the tea break.
The centurion had never looked trouble since strutting to the crease on Thursday evening, but the delivery to dismiss him from Cummins was an absolute trademark seed that we’ve come to expect from the Aussie skipper.
The wicket would have come as a major relief for Steve Smith, who shelled a catch at first slip off Cummins just moments earlier and gave the in-form Rohit an extra life.
Cummins had been poor with the ball thus far in India’s innings, but if he can string a few quick poles together and restrict their first innings lead, it could give the Aussies a crack at the victory later in the Test.
Just two overs after Cummins breaking through Sharma's defences, Todd Murphy picked up his fifth wicket of the innings and wrote his name in the history books.
While the visitors are still well behind in the context of the game, they are slowly crawling their way back into it.
Is Rohit Sharma batting on a different pitch?
While most of the batsmen in the first Test at VCA Stadium in Nagpur have struggled in the first innings, Indian skipper Rohit Sharma has done the complete opposite.
In testing batting conditions on a spin-friendly pitch, the 35-year-old scored a chanceless century to give the hosts a first innings lead that is only going to continue to build.
The skipper brought up his ton with a lofted cover drive and set the crowd into raptures in the process.
Sharma had blasted 14 fours and two maximums by the time he reached triple-figures, and never really looked like getting out against an underperforming Aussie attack - besides Todd Murphy, of course.
Murphy lands the massive scalp immediately after lunch
Todd Murhpy’s Test debut continued to produce results immediately after the lunch break on day two, claiming the prized wicket of Virat Kohli.
After taking two wickets in the first session, the 22-year-old returned after the break with a vengeance, drawing Kohli into an uncharacteristically poor shot from a turning delivery.
Kohli would get an edge on the ball down leg-side and after a slight juggle from Alex Carey, the keeper was able to get a hold of it and send the former skipper on his way.
Murphy has put the Aussies back into the game, with the help of Scott Boland, who has been economical thus far in Nagpur.
Debutant showing the GOAT and the skipper how it's done
While the Aussies are well behind the game in Napgur, it's hard to fault the efforts of debutant off-spinner Todd Murphy.
Pat Cummins was spanked in his first spell on Thursday evening before again struggling in the first session on Friday, while experienced spinner Nathan Lyon was making very little impact with the ball.
Murphy on the other hand was able to land the major breakthrough late on the opening day, before dismissing nightwatchman Ravichandran Ashwin and No.3 batsman Cheteshwar Pujara in rather quick succession.
Australia also reviewed an LBW appeal off Murphy's bowling, but the decision remained not-out after heading upstairs to the third umpire.
Immediately after the lunch break, Murphy struck again and dismissed the legendary Virat Kohli, caught down the leg-side by keeper Alex Carey, before catching Srikar Bharat out via LBW.
Remarkably, the 22-year-old only switched from medium pace bowling to off-spin just six years ago after receiving advice from mentor Craig Howard.
"In all honesty, it was just my medium pace wasn't really any good anyway," Murphy said, as quoted by cricket.com.au.
"I was tinkering in the nets with off-spin bowling and got some really good feedback that what was coming out of my hand was all right.
"So just went from there and kept working at it and it's been the best thing I've ever done."
Nathan Lyon, Pat Cummins criticised as India continue dominance
Matthew Hayden has criticised Australia's tactics early on day two, pointing at Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins as a major issue.
The former Test opener ripped into Cummins on Thursday night, describing his efforts as 'buffet bowling' while commentating the game for Fox Cricket.
Hayden was at it again early in the day's play on Friday, questioning why Lyon was continuing to bowl around the wicket and straight into the arc of Indian duo Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin.
“I still don’t like this from Nathan Lyon, coming from around the wicket...I think Indians all day long enjoy playing spin, especially when it’s on their bodies," he said.
“His strength is if he came from over the wicket, tossing it outside off stump, turning it back into off stump. Then you have several ways to dismiss the batsman.”
“He’s been very, very straight and a fraction too short giving the opportunity for Indian batsman to have time, and they love to play off their stumps.
"It’s like shelling peas to Indian batsmen.”
Aussie woes continue as Renshaw sent for scans
Matt Renshaw is in doubt for the rest of the first Test, after suffering a knee injury on the opening day in Nagpur.
Despite being dismissed for a golden duck, the 26-year-old did not take the field at the start of play on Friday and Cricket Australia later confirmed he was dealing with 'knee soreness' stemming from fielding.
Renshaw has now been sent for scans which will determine whether or not he takes any further part in the match.
His inclusion in the side was somewhat controversial, with the selectors opting to drop the in-form Travis Head from the middle-order.
Controversial moment mars quality Jadeja performance
Ravindra Jadeja cemented his return to the Test scene with a masterful performance, tearing through a fragile Aussie batting lineup for a five-wicket haul.
The experienced all-rounder took the key wickets of Steve Smith, Marnus Labuschagne and Alex Carey, before cleaning up a couple of late wickets to finish with figures of 5/47.
But it was a moment captured by eagle-eyed viewers that led to plenty of debate, with Jadeja handed a foreign object by a teammate prior to his 16th over.
According to ESPNcricnfo, the Indian team management informed ICC match referee Andy Pycroft that Jadeja was applying pain-relief cream to the index finger of his bowling hand, and also reported that no charges have been laid against the bowler.
A storm in a teacup perhaps, but it has already added some fuel to the fire in what promises to be a heated series.
India vs Australia 1st Test confirmed lineups
Australia: David Warner, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Steve Smith, Matthew Renshaw, Peter Handscomb, Alex Carey, Pat Cummins (c), Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy, Scott Boland
India: Rohit Sharma (c), KL Rahul, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Suryakumar Yadav, KS Bharat, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Axar Patel, Mohammed Shami, Mohammed Siraj
What time does India vs Australia start?
All four Test matches will begin at 3pm AEDT and 9.30am IST.
How to watch or live stream India vs Australia
Fox Cricket will broadcast each game live and exclusive in Australia, while Star Sports holds the rights to the series in India.
| Australia | India | |
| TV Channel | Fox Cricket | Star Sports |
| Live Stream | Foxtel Go/Kayo Sports | Disney+ Hotstar |