Editor’s note: This is a developing report and will be updated throughout the day.
Usman Khawaja hit a remarkable 180 and Cameron Green scored his first century before Australia were bowled out for 480 by India on day two of the fourth Test on Friday.
Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin bowled a memorable spell on a relatively flat wicket to take six wickets even as Khawaja’s 208-run fifth-wicket partnership with Green put the tourists in the driver’s seat in Ahmedabad.
India will resume its overnight score of 36/0 in the hope of setting a solid foundation on Day 3.
Here’s a session-wise recap of the day:
Morning session
In what proved to be yet another wicketless session for India, Australia piled on the misery and the runs. After starting the day at 255/4 with Khawaja fresh off his first century against India on Day 1 and Cameron Green batting at 49, Australia went into lunch at 374/4 after scoring 92 runs in 29 overs.
Although the pitch looked great to bat on on the second day, the Indian bowlers did not look threatening and failed to create any wicket-taking opportunities in the morning. Mohammed Shami and Ravindra Jadeja were the only ones who seemed to pose any threat but the moments were brief and did not prove to be significant. The Australian duo put the visitors in a strong position with Khawaja reaching his 150 and Green closing in on his his first Test century – he’s currently on 95.
Highest Test scores for Cameron Green
— Aakash Sivasubramaniam (@aakashs26) March 10, 2023
95* vs India in Ahmedabad, 2023
84 vs India in Sydney, 2021
79 vs Pakistan in Lahore, 2022
77 vs Sri Lanka in Galle, 2022
74 vs England in Sydney, 2022
3 of his top 5 scores have come in Asia. 💎 Wunderkind #CricketTwitter #INDvsAUS
Lyon is going to have the runs to bowl with . Spotlight is going to be firmly on the Indian top six when they get their chance to bat someone will need to get a score that helps them save this test #INDvAUS
— John Wright (@johnwright15) March 10, 2023
OK, still some ways to go , but at this moment in time, a Australia-Sri Lanka WTC Final definitely doesn't look far-fetched.
— Vinayakk (@vinayakkm) March 10, 2023
Post-lunch session
Australia continued to push India to an uncomfortable spot as Green notched up his first Test century soon after lunch. He cut away a short and wide delivery off Ravindra Jadeja and soaked in the emotions that come with getting that milestone for the first time.
The Ahmedabad pitch still favoured batters but spinner Ashwin grabbed three wickets in the second session – among them Green’s – to bring some Indian joy.
Ashwin snared two wickets in one over. He broke the massive stand of 208 – Australia’s highest Test partnership in India since 1979 – after he got Green caught behind on a delivery sliding down the leg side.
He had wicketkeeper-batter Alex Carey out for a duck three balls later and soon sent back Mitchell Starc for his fourth wicket in the innings.
The left-handed Khawaja, who struck his first Indian Test ton on day one and 14th overall, kept up his grind from one end with Nathan Lyon for company on six at the break.
Khawaja remained calm in his 421-ball stay to break the Australian record for longest Test innings in India. The previous record was Graham Yallop’s 392-ball knock in Kolkata in 1979.
😃 #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/CHWNjdK2HU
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) March 10, 2023
Played, Cameron Green. Fantastic hundred. Came to bat when Australia were in a spot of bother, but now has ensured that Australia are in the ascendancy.
— Gurkirat Singh Gill (@gurkiratsgill) March 10, 2023
Cricketers with Test 150s in Australia, India & Pakistan
— Swamp (@sirswampthing) March 10, 2023
Graham Yallop
Allan Border
Sachin Tendulkar
Virender Sehwag
Rahul Dravid
Younis Khan
USMAN KHAWAJA
#INDvAUS
Post tea-session
In just the first ball after tea, Axar Patel brought Khawaja’s fine innings to an end for 180. India opted to take a review and it turned out to be successful as Khawaja, in an attempt to tuck a straight ball and to the on-side, was struck right in front.
Ashwin took six wickets but Khawaja’s mammoth knock off 422 balls and his 208-run fifth-wicket partnership with Green put the tourists in the box seat in Ahmedabad. Todd Murphy (41) and Lyon (34) kept the Indian bowlers frustrated in a 70-run stand for the ninth wicket before Ashwin broke through for his 32nd five-wicket haul in Tests.
Ashwin trapped Murphy, a left-hand batter and off-spinner, lbw and then sent back Lyon to wrap up the innings. Australia were eventually bowled out for 480 by India on day two.
In reply to Australia’s 480, India began their innings in positive fashion as they saw off the tricky 10 overs of play with relative ease. Shubman Gill (18*) and Rohit Sharma (17*) will hope to continue unscathed as India head into what could prove to be a Day 3 at 36/0.
BIG WICKET!@akshar2026 gets the massive wicket of Khawaja immediately after Tea. Incredible way for #TeamIndia to start the session!
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) March 10, 2023
Tune-in to LIVE action in the Mastercard #INDvAUS Test on Star Sports & Disney+Hotstar! #BelieveInBlue #TestByFire #Cricket pic.twitter.com/T0Fp0QDJQG
47.2 overs, 6-91 on this track. Greatness. @ashwinravi99
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 10, 2023
Flat track? No problem says Ash Anna. 🐐 pic.twitter.com/LX9zUwfUoN
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) March 10, 2023
Make no mistake, this is one of Ashwin's best efforts in his career. A 6-fer at less than 2 RPO on this track is outstanding.
— Aaditya Narayan (@AadityaN_28) March 10, 2023