Australia finished the second day of the first Test in Pune against India in a commanding position, 298 runs ahead of India.

Resuming on 256/9, India got Mitchell Starc out early and bowled Australia out for 260 but that was pretty much the only bright spot for them in the day. Australia got Murali Vijay, Virat Kohli (duck) and Cheteshwar Pujara cheaply to have India three down.

Opener KL Rahul counter-attacked but a brain-fade from him led to the fall of India’s third fourth wicket. From thereon, India collapsed spectacularly: They lost their last seven wickets for 11 runs, their worst ever collapse for the last seven wickets, to be bowled out for 105.

Ravichandran Ashwin struck twice early to remove David Warner and Shaun Marsh but Australia continued to be positive and that helped them tide over the early uncertainty. They were helped by India’s shocking catching; Kohli’s team dropped four catches in total, three of them of Steve Smith.

The Australian captain however played a serene, composed knock taking his team through to the end of the day. He mixed aggression with defence and rarely looked unflustered as Australia ended the day almost 300 runs ahead. India have only once chased down a higher total in India successfully and that was when they chased down 387 against England in 2008.

Here’s how the day went:

4.30 pm: That’s it...STUMPS on Day 2. Steve Smith walks off...he should take a bow. 59 of the toughest runs he will score but he’s given Australia a massive lead of 298.

Emphatically Australia’s day. Only KL Rahul resisted, somewhat, but it wasn’t enough. They got the early wickets, then got KL Rahul out and then had India huffing and puffing. They lost early wickets but Steve Smith is playing a gem and was helped by some more grit from Matt Renshaw.

Aren’t the Aussies happy? On air, O’Keefe says “Steve Smith reassures us”. And on Twitter,

India’s batting let them down, but so did their fielding. They dropped four catches, three off Steve Smith alone.

4.27 pm: One more over left in the day, I guess. Some are already predicting a loss and its implications for Virat Kohli.

And was this the reason O’Keefe was so good?

4.21 pm: And as we approach the end of the day, Cricket Australia retweets the obvious.

Out-batted, maybe even out-bowled?

Poor batting, and now very poor fielding.

4.15 pm: Ho hum. Last two overs have seen only one run. After the excitement of the second session, this is definitely a buzzkill. Come on, India....take two more wickets before the end of play? Or Marsh, why not a few sixes? Something, anything? Right, this is Test cricket.

Australia are 141/4, the lead is 296/4. India have only chased one score higher than this at home and won. And that was obviously the 387 in 2008.

4.10 pm: The run rate has been close to five in the last eleven overs. It’s a good strategy for Australia...make the most of a deflated, tiring India. The lead is close to 300 and it’s looking like a staggering chase but they cannot take it for granted. If Kohli/Pujara/Rahane....pretty much anyone gets going...they can chase down anything.

Steve Smith 1. Virat Kohli 0. At least, in this round.

I think this is blasphemous. Hey, at least, Kohli keeps his celebration timing on point, every time, all the time.

4.00 pm: Mitchell Marsh is trying to win his critics over, is he? Sees some flight, comes down and throws the kitchen sink, kitchen, house...everything at it! That was big, that was huge. They didn’t want to give the ball back...much like the neighbour uncle who never appreciated the six I hit into his living room. Australia 135/4, lead now 290.

3.55 pm: India’s second review is unsuccessful. All going a little downhill for them. Australia are now, to be fair....cruising. The lead is a little short of 300. And even Mitchell Marsh has just hit his second boundary. Australia 126/6, lead 281.

They’re always a little more vocal when their team is doing well, no?

3.46 pm: The next batsman in is Mitchell Marsh. He’s a bit of a polarising figure among Aussie cricket fans, much like Rohit Sharma in India. He’s already survived an India review for leg-before-wicket. Considering he didn’t even have to bowl, he just has to stick out there with his skipper. Ok, easier said than done.

Sledging has started already.

3.42 pm: WICKET and Renshaw falls. Poor batting there. Tried to hit Jayant Yadav out of the ground, but can’t get hold of it and Ishant Sharma finally holds one at long-off. He’s out for 31 and Australia are 113/4.

There’s plenty of praise for Steve Smith:

3.40 pm: Half-century for Steve Smith. Fine, fine knock. Australia’s lead is now 268 and they still have seven wickets left.

3.30 pm: After the excitement of that second session, it’s all becoming a little one-sided now. Smith and Renshaw don’t look half as troubled anymore. Their partnership is nearing 50 and the runs are coming at a steady drip. In fact, Renshaw even gets his own chance as he reverse-sweeps, gets the leading edge but second slip palms it away for a nice little boundary. Australia 108/3 in 33 overs...lead is 263.

Virat Kohli went for broke by getting Ashwin and Jadeja early and though they got three wickets, pathetic fielding has cost him now.

Brett Lee has answered us. He wants to play this Test! But not with his lightning-fast pace.

Anti-national alert:

3.25 pm: Renshaw goes big and hits Ashwin for two boundaries in that over. Good, attacking, typically Australian batting. The lead crosses 250, currently 254. Australia 99/3.

Why is everyone getting strung up about the drops? Because Australia were emphatic in their fielding when they bowled.

3.18 pm: Third catch off Steve Smith goes down! Abhinav Mukund is the guilty party again. If you’re dropping the opposition’s best batsman not once, not twice but thrice....do you really deserve to win?

Steve Smith is seven runs short of a half-century but his eyes will be on the lead column. Which right now is 241.

Virat Kohli may well be feeling like...

Little bit of sympathy for Mukund...mainly because the non-sympathizer’s language can’t be published!

3.10 pm: Finally a change in bowling. Umesh Yadav, hero of India’s first innings, is in the attack. He gets Renshaw to play and miss once, hits the bat hard and hits Renshaw’s arm. The left-hander is down. The physio has come out to check on him. But he brushes himself off and plays on. Strong guy. Maybe Allan Border will finally like him now? Australia 80/3.

Ravindra Jadeja can still see the funny side of things.

3.01 pm: Virat Kohli is going to get more and more frustrated now. Australia’s lead is now growing. 234/3 now. It’s getting more and more tough for India. Ashwin and Jadeja have been bowling unchanged now.

It’s India vs Australia but the English want to get involved...

2.55 pm: And Renshaw survives by the skin of his teeth. Two reds as he misses the sweep and is hit in front but the ball was not hitting the stumps! Australia 67/3.

Oh get off that collapse bit.

Would Brett Lee want to have been involved in this thrilla in Poona?

2.50 pm: Loud confident calls of “NO” from captain Steve Smith. His 33 has been a gem so far, a lot like KL Rahul’s in India’s first innings. But India know what happened once Rahul was dismissed. The same might happen if they get Smith. Australia 66/3, lead 221.

Very good comment.

Also, Matt Renshaw AKA “If you have to go, you have to go” is out there.

2.44 pm: WICKET, Ashwin gets his third. This time, Murali Vijay holds on at leg slip. Good solid effort from Handscomb (19). Australia 61/3.

2.40 pm: A life for Steve Smith, again! Now substitute fielder Abhinav Mukund can’t hold on to a powerfully timed shot from the Aussie captain. Australia 57/2....or 212/2.

2.35 pm: We’re back after tea and it’s Ashwin to start proceedings. Handscomb steps out and whacks him to the midwicket boundary to bring up Australia’s 50. Jadeja, from the other end, zips through his over as well. 51/2, with a lead of 206.

2.10 pm: That’s TEA. What a session.

Let me catch my breath. In the numbers....81 runs, 31.1 overs and 9 wickets. At the end of it all, Australia finish 46/2 and their lead is now 201.

Whose session? Let Cricket Australia tell you:

Hopefully, that’s the one for the series, from an Indian perspective.

Do India need Sherlock?

2.07 pm: Steve Smith is dropped by Murali Vijay at leg-slip! How costly can that be? And to add insult to injury, he reverse-sweeps Ashwin for a boundary two balls later. And the lead has now crossed 200.

2.05 pm: Just five more minutes for tea. Australia will just want to get through unscathed. Steve Smith as always is key. He’s looking decent on this pitch....and decent is a relative word.

2.00 pm: Steve Smith and Peter Handscomb have managed to steady Australia just a little. Smith looking good in particular. They are 38/2 in 12 overs. Lead is 193.

Already, people are referencing that Mumbai Test in 2004. You remember it don’t you? India bowled Australia out for 93 in the last innings to win a Test which only lasted two days.

Play

1.55 pm: Steve Smith sweeps, sweeps hard and gets another boundary. These are very important runs for Australia here. Could prove to be the different ultimately. 33/2.

Ashwin has been almost unplayable today. Revenge due to the way he was dismissed yesterday? But Handscomb did take a brilliant catch.

Australian supporters still have someone to blame.

But Grant may have a point.

1.50 pm: It does look like a minefield out there. But Peter Handscomb survives that Jadeja barrage and even gets a boundary. Australia 28/2, lead by 183.

1.45 pm: SECOND ONE GOES. But it’s Shaun Marsh and not Steve Smith. Ashwin again takes the second wicket with the one that goes straight on. By my count, that’s 9 wickets in this session and we’re still another 20 minutes away from tea.

1.43 pm: Steve Smith hits another four in that over and Australia move to 24/1. Lead is 178.

People are already referencing that 47 all out.

Someone understands my sentiments!

1.39 pm: No more wickets now. Steve Smith is key here...he’s already hit two boundaries. Keep an eye on the lead, it’s 174 now. Australia 19/1.

Now Harsha is softening a little on the pitch, it seems.

Pitch or not pitch, this is truly a humdinger.

1.32 pm: No damage in the second over...just. Just to note, Matt Renshaw is not opening the batting because of illness. Steve Smith has opened the batting and Shaun Marsh came in at the fall of Warner’s wicket.

More on the collapse:

1.30 pm: OUT! How many wickets will fall in this session? David Warner has come out to bat again and he’s smashed Ashwin for two boundaries already. Then is struck plumb in front on the last ball of the over. Australia are 10/1.

Going by the nature of this pitch, there’s a high possibility India will be batting again by the end of the day.

1.20 pm: 94/4, 95/5, 95/6, 95/7, 98/8, 101/9, 105/10

In a nutshell, that sumps up India’s collapse. Don’t think we’ve ever seen something like this in a long time. Last seven wickets went down for just 11 runs.

What do the experts reckon?

And a very interesting statistic.

1.15 pm: SIX WICKETS FOR O’KEEFE. Finishes with figures of 6/35. What a performance. Last wicket to fall was Umesh Yadav who tried to slog but edged Steve Smith to slip.

1.11 pm: The only reason for this update is to show off this gif in honour of O’Keefe, you beauty.

Tweet does not exist

But I wonder whether India will debate the pitch now.

1.10 pm: GONE! FIVE WICKETS FOR O’KEEFE! Ravindra Jadeja tries to go downtown, but can’t clear Mitchell Starc. Had no other choice really. But what a performance from O’Keefe!

The over which may have turned this match around.

Ravi Shastri knows a thing or two. Listen to him, guys!

1.05 pm: So India 101/8 now. After scores of 700-plus and 600-plus in their last few Tests, did anyone really expect that? Cricket....funny little game, it is.

KL Rahul will not want to watch this. Half-century was good. Thereafter...umm...no...

1.03 pm: India still haven’t touched 100. 99/8. Ravindra Jadeja was given out but reviewed and it was overturned.

1.00 pm: OUT! Hint of MS Dhoni about split-second glovework from Matthew Wade. Gets the stumping and O’Keefe has got four now! Jayant Yadav departs now.

Ok, did anyone find out what’s happening?

12.52 pm: Ok, what just happened there?

Never ever discount the Australians.

12.48 pm: One more. Now Ravichandran Ashwin joins the procession. Ball hits bat, ball hits foot, ball goes up. Handscomb dives forward, takes a great catch. Nathon Lyon the man here. India 95/7.

12.47 pm: Who is Steve O’Keefe and where has he learnt his mastery? Here’s more on him:

Play

12.45 pm: THREE IN ONE OVER! O’KEEFE gets Saha in the same over. What are India doing? They’ve collapsed to 95/6. Saha goes for a duck!

12.41 pm: NOW, RAHANE GOES. Fantastic catch by Peter Handscomb at gully who snares a leading edge with the bat turning towards mid-wicket. O’Keefe gets another. Rahane’s tentative innings comes to an end. He waited for a bit but the catch was clean. AUSTRALIA ON TOP, INDIA 95/5.

12.37 pm: OH NO! KL Rahul has hurt himself every way there. Jumps out of the ground, wants to hit O’Keefe into Lonavala but only gets the leading edge and holes out for 64 to Warner! To make matters worse, he’s hurt his shoulder as well. Partnership broken, Australia in the advantage again!

That just wasn’t a good shot...

12.35 pm: FIFTY partnership up between Rahul and Rahane. Rahul has scored 37 of those runs. While that’s great, that’s not the best for India. They can’t put all their eggs in the Rahul basket, however good he’s looking. Rahane cannot lose his wicket right now....and he’s looking tentative against Lyon. Was half-dropped by David Warner at leg-slip. India 94/3.

Rahane though is just the man India would want in a pressure situation:

Play

12.27 pm: Up in the commentary box, Shane Warne makes a good point about Nathan Lyon having to bowl it a little slower to get the odd one to grip and cause doubt in the batsmen’s heads. Lyon has settled into a good routine and Rahane plays him out for a maiden.

KL Rahul has scored almost 66 percent of India’s runs in this innings.

12.20 pm: FIFTY for KL Rahul. It’s been a knock which has saved India. He’s been aggressive, unorthodox and not afraid to put Australia off their lines. He just needs to carry on.

He then gets two streaky boundaries off Mitchell Starc. Goes for two big expansive cover drives, gets a thick edge but it flies over slip and gully respectively. Living a little dangerously but the runs are coming and India move on to 88/3.

12.18 pm: First two overs after lunch safely negotiated. Rahane actually looks like he’s settled down. Rahane is two runs away from what would be a very well-deserved half century.

The heat will be a problem for Australia’s bowlers this session. It’s already boiling hot...

12.10 pm: Keep an eye on KL Rahul this session. He’s fantastic, I tell you. He’s tremendous. Absolute high energy. He knows how to win.

Ok, sorry for the Donald Trump interruption...

12.00 pm: The second session awaits and in case you thought we were watching an One-Day International or a Twenty20, Sanjay Manjrekar is here to clarify your doubts.

Starc attack and now sizzling Starc? More nicknames...

The other big sports today is the sacking of Claudio Ranieri by Premier League champions Leicester City. It has caused shock and anger all over the football world.

11.30 am: And that’s LUNCH. India go back to the shade at 70/3 in 25. They have KL Rahul to thank for that with his unbeaten 47. He’s played very well to get India away from 44/3 and a Virat Kohli duck. India still trail by 190 runs.

Australia’s session without doubt. Getting Vijay, Pujara and Kohli cheaply is brilliant for them. Of course, Rahul out there will prove a hindrance. They only managed four more runs in the morning.

Starc, Hazlewood have been brilliant. Lyon has been steady. O’Keefe got some turn right at the end of the session.

Ayaz Memon agrees with our assessment:

There was a minor interruption due to a fire which was doused quickly:

11.23 am: Another few more overs till lunch. Solid over from Hazlewood. India 70/3 after 23 overs.

11.15 am: Enough on Kohli. Let’s talk about KL Rahul. He’s 45 off 69 balls....India’s score is 65/3. He’s single-handedly carrying India on.

Rahul’s familiar with Australia. He scored his first century against them away and that was also one fine knock...

11.06 am: KL Rahul has, by far, looked the best batsman across the two teams on this surface. He hits Mitchell Starc for an absolutely delectable cover drive through the covers. India 58/3.

What are Puma thinking after Kohli’s duck?

It is all up to Rahane now. He’s not been in the best of form...

11.00 am: But moving on. Rahane gets off the mark by bat-padding one which just eluded leg-slip. Tough times. Tough battles. KL Rahul counter-attacks and reverse-sweeps Lyon away for a boundary. Good shot, good way to re-establish your superiority. He’s become the key batsman now. India 50/3 off 18 overs.

If you missed the Kohli dismissal, check it out here:

10.50 am: Whew. That over has changed everything. Pujara and Kohli, two of India’s most in-form batsmen out. How good is Starc? Beautiful bowling.

And now Ajinkya Rahane comes out to join KL Rahul. India under the cosh. Massive massive pressure now. 260 seems quite far away now. Lyon suddenly gets turn. Watch this space. India 45/3 in 16 overs.

10.46 am: OH, HOW BIG IS THIS! Virat Kohli goes for a loose drive outside off and edges to slip! THREE DOWN! Kohli is out for a duck. Would you believe that? Australia 44/3.

10.43 am: STARC ATTACK PAYS OFF FOR AUSTRALIA! Absolutely rip-snorter from Starc, rears up from a length takes Pujara’s bat. Big, big, big wicket. India 44/2.

10.33 am: Nathan Lyon is here and the “Naaaice, Gary” chant is back from behind the stumps. Even though he’s hit for a four, it doesn’t abate. Everyone loves Gary, don’t they? And India move on to 42/1 after 12 overs.

Think school will forgive you, kid.

10.26 am: It’s drinks right now and it’s precipitated by KL Rahul cramping after he stepped out and hit O’Keefe for a six. He manages to stay on though. India 34/1 after 10 overs.

Ok guys, can you just lay off the surface for a bit?

More McGrath comparisons.

And concern about KL Rahul.

10.20 am: Josh Hazlewood is providing a real handful. He’s keeping it a very teasing length, continously stays in the game. Not easy for India out there. The commentators are comparing him to Glenn McGrath. Guess who Hazlewood goes his Baggy Green from?

Play

10.14 am: Cheteshwar Pujara is the new batsmen out. He likes playing against Australia. Made his debut against them and this is what he did:

Play

10.10 am: GONE, GONE, GONE. Hazlewood into the attack and Vijay nibbles at one outside off stump and edges behind. India 26/1.

10.05 am: Easy, easy, easy runs coming for India. Steve Smith has spread his field out for O’Keefe and the singles are on offer. India have already got off to a good start. And O’Keefe hasn’t managed to do anything spectacular as yet. India 25/0.

And you thought only Indian fans were cynical?

Tweet does not exist

9.58 am: Rahul gets another four off O’Keefe. Breezy start for him. Behind the stumps, Wade has started with his “Naaice” calls. You know of the “Naaaice, Gary” phenomenon right?

Play

He’s made Nathon Lyon a cult star!

9.51 am: Australia did an India and decided to give the new ball to left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe. But safely negotiated by Rahul and Vijay. There’s a nice battle between Rahul and Starc in the next over. Rahul gets the boundary off the first ball but Starc keeps on pushing it wider hoping for the edge. Rahul doesn’t oblige...yet. India 11/0 after 3.

Of course, everyone can’t be Ashwin. Because he’s a record-breaker.

Meanwhile, the battle of the pitches is still going on and now Aakash Chopra has joined in the fray...

9.45 am: Starc gets dangerous inswing right from the first few balls. Vijay and Rahul have managed to block it out and Rahul even chipped one to the boundary when it strayed a little on leg-stump. Spicy stuff. India’s openers have their task cut out. India 5/0 off 1.

Renshaw’s runs, Wriddhiman Saha’s stunning catch and Starc’s breezy cameo were the moments of Day 1.

Here’s Saha’s catch....again, because it deserves to be seen....

9.40 am: So 260? What do you reckon? Considering India’s batting and the fact that Australia’s spinners aren’t that high-quality, I would say it’s too little.

Renshaw with his 68 and Starc with his 61 the top-scorers for Australia. Yadav stays with figures of 4/32 and Ashwin has figures of 3/62.

Today, by the way, is a special day. Today is the day when the Master entered the 200 club.

9.31 am: Good morning and goodbye, Mitchell Starc. Only took five balls in the first over of Day 2. Starc hammered Ashwin for a boundary, then tried to swing him over mid-wicket but holed out to Jadeja. Australia bowled out for 260, Starc gets 61.