Ravichandran Ashwin took 6/41 as India effected a famous win by 75 runs over Australia in the second Test at Bengaluru on Tuesday. Chasing 187, Australia were bowled out for 112. They had earlier bowled India out for 274 in their second innings.
Here’s how the day played out:
3.32 pm: And that’s it from us. Enthralling, engrossing Test cricket at its very best. Well done to both teams, especially to India for the way they fought back. See us again for the third Test, staring on March 16 in Ranchi!
3.25 pm: And finally, the presentation ceremony...
Steve Smith: We were outplayed but proud of the way we competed. Pitch was difficult but Test cricket isn’t supposed to be easy. The afternoon didn’t go to plan.
Virat Kohli: We wanted to bounce back, not to show anyone else, but ourselves that we can compete. The comeback started on Day 2 with the way our bowlers bowled. We got the momentum there and knew we had a chance. It’s 1-1 now and can’t wait to go to Ranchi. Game on.
KL Rahul is the Player of the Match with his two fifties (90 and 51): Big win for young India. Pune loss hit us hard. All disappointment of missing out on a hundred has gone with the win.
The winning moment for Team India:
Jai Hind #TeamIndia #INDvAUS 😀 pic.twitter.com/fNjxERrqQV
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 7, 2017
3.15 pm: Some reactions from a very happy Indian team. “Great to win after being so far behind,” says Pujara, who starred with a gutsy 92 that took the match back India’s way. “We knew 200 would be tough to get” says Rahane who played the perfect sidekick’s role with Pujara. As for Ashwin? “I kept the runs down when the wickets were not coming” he said. And Umesh Yadav mentions that they just wanted to hit the deck hard.
This is the fifth-lowest target defended by India.
3.03 pm: THAT’s IT! VICTORY FOR INDIA. Chips it back to Ashwin, Lyon, and that’s six wickets for Ashwin. Bowled out for 112 and India win by 75 runs! What a Test, what a victory, and what a match!
The bowler that Australia were most concerned about, @ashwinravi99, has produced a top performance. Big impact on the rest of the series.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 7, 2017
#IndvAus What a test match! Really great effort by Indian team
— Inderr Meena (@Princemeena9414) March 7, 2017
#IndvAus what a match what a series! WOW!
— Peter Lister (@Peter_Lister) March 7, 2017
That's why Ashwin is the best test bowler in the world, astonishing spell of spin bowling sensational stuff #INDvAUS
— Rayyy (@EliteConte) March 7, 2017
3.02 pm: Swings for the trees and is OUT. Desperation from young Handscomb there but he can’t be blamed. Gets a top edge and Saha snags it. Five-wicket haul for Ashwin again. Australia 110/9.
3.01 pm: Spare a thought for Nathan Lyon as he’s walked out. Took dream figures of 8/50 in the first innings. Bowled India out for below 200. Unbelievable how India have come back. He’ll be crushed that such an amazing spell has been negated like this.
India batsmen positive yesterday rotating the strike, keeping it ticking over. Aussies haven't done this and it's cost them #INDvAUS
— ArmChair Expert (@Jakesherlock29) March 7, 2017
2.59 pm: EIGHT DOWN. Jadeja finally gets one. Keeps low and beats Steve O’Keefe’s defence completely. 110/8.
Deja vu: The last time Aus failed to chase down a sub-200 4th innings target was against India at the Wankhede in 2004#IndvAus #INDvsAUS
— Sammy Srivas (@Sammy_shri) March 7, 2017
2.58 pm: Ashwin gets a maiden. Australia 110/7. Need 79 more. I doubt India will panic unless it goes below 50. Then there might be a few nerves.
2.48 pm: Finally a few runs for Australia. Four runs off that over and the total moves to 107/7, with another 82 runs to get.
Apart from all else, this team under @imVkohli has given Test cricket the kiss of life in India
— Cricketwallah (@cricketwallah) March 7, 2017
Hahaha, Mrs. Ashwin has time for a few smiles. This is in reference to Ashwin’s send-off to Starc. Ashwin was mimicking what Starc had done to Ashwin’s Tamil Nadu teammate Mukund.
Hi @ashwinravi99 , why are you poking yourself?
— Prithi Ashwin (@prithinarayanan) March 7, 2017
2.45 pm: Who’d have thought this turnaround would have happened after Lyon took 8/50 on the first day? What a battling performance from India. But is it all over? Can Handscomb ensure one final twist? Stays at 103/7
That spell where Umesh and Jadeja brought the scoring to a grinding halt was crucial. Pressure takes more wickets than great balls #INDvsAUS
— Anand Vasu (@anandvasu) March 7, 2017
Brilliant bowling from @ashwinravi99 lots of over spin. Using the bounce
— Michael Clarke (@MClarke23) March 7, 2017
2.38 pm: THROUGH THE GATE. Ashwin, you beauty. Starc had nothing to do with that. It just went through his defence and castled the stumps. Australia fall further. This should be quickly over now. 103/7.
Are we celebrating yet?! Yes, we are. 3 more wickets to win. Come on India! #IndvAus
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals) March 7, 2017
200th wicket for Ashwin in home Tests, in just the 30th Test. #IndvAus
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) March 7, 2017
2.35 pm: We’ve restarted after tea. Can Mitchell Starc hit a quick-fire 50 like the first Test? That could win Australia the Test....and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. Australia 103/6, need 85 to win.
Long live Test cricket. What a contest.
@anandvasu and what a game, it has been today! Long live the Test.
— Sajjan Singh Thakur (@sstjournalist) March 7, 2017
Very naughty from Steve Smith. That’s not done at all and he should know better.
DRS - Dressing room review system? Smith tries to get some suggestions from the dressing room for a review https://t.co/2V488WaKEp #INDvAUS
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 7, 2017
2.10 pm: GONE, GONE, GONE! Six down at tea. Ashwin gets Matthew Wade who edges down to his feet and Wriddhiman Saha take a diving catch. Is that the match? Australia go into tea at 101/6, still 87 runs away. And it’s a long shot. This looks to be India’s match to lose now.
What a commendable catch Wriddhi #IndvAus
— AVIL (@AveeNayal) March 7, 2017
Hope the Tea break does not work against us. Could not have come at a better time for the Aussies, #IndvAus #INDvsAUS 🏏
— Zubin Daver (@zubinofficial) March 7, 2017
That's a stunner from Saha !! Stunner !!! Straight one from ash getting big inside edge and God how did saha manage taking that #INDvAUS
— KAUSHIK S (@Kaushik1695S) March 7, 2017
2.05 pm: Gone! Ashwin gets Mitchell Marsh and that’s tea. Couldn’t keep on resisting. It was bat-pad and Karun Nair snaggled it. Australia 101/5, need another 87 runs.
And again Mitchell Marsh disappoints.
"It's Mitchell Marsh. He will get out due to his Marshness" @clairebbbear literally 30 seconds before that wicket. #IndvAus
— Capper Towers (@cappertowers) March 7, 2017
Phew! Just when a wicket was needed. Can't afford a partnership, howsoever small it may be. #INDvAUS
— Abhishek Baxi (@baxiabhishek) March 7, 2017
2.00 pm: The runs required go below 100. Oh my. Nice flowing boundary from Handscomb through the covers off Ishant. Gets a single to boot off the next ball. Marsh hits a sweet, sweet straight drive next ball. Pokes a boundary through third man last ball. Australia may be four down but they’re going to go for the runs. Australia 98/4, need 90 more to win. Just past the half-way point.
Can the much-derided, much-hated Mitchell Marsh win Australia the match and the series?
Mitchell Marsh won't get a bigger occasion than this to renew his career. Rahane did that yesterday.
— Sivaram (@SivaramL) March 7, 2017
It's now or never for Mitchell Marsh I'm afraid. #INDvsAUS
— Jacob Thompson (@JacobThompsonRE) March 7, 2017
1.52 pm: Much-needed boundaries in that over from Umesh Yadav. Gets the score up to 84. Australia needed that to give themselves some chance. They’re 84/4, need 104 more.
Virat's celebrations are awesome. pic.twitter.com/YeabjTny1k
— Ashish Magotra (@clutchplay) March 7, 2017
Also, does Virat remind you of someone?
Remember that kid meme? You'd be amazed what he looks like now... #indvaus pic.twitter.com/gr4jD7LRKu
— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) March 7, 2017
1.44 pm: Another close lbw shout. India reviewed but it was umpire’s call. So one review down for each team. Australia are 75/4 and 188 looks a long way away now. 113 to be exact.
Pendulum has swung India’s way completely. What an absorbing match.
Aust have to try to attack here. Letting India buildup balls means an inevitable defeat given how pitch playing #IndvAus
— Daniel Brettig (@danbrettig) March 7, 2017
Massive wicket. Interesting that Smith tried to ask dressing room for help with referral. Some might call it cheating #INDvAUS
— Hemant (@hemantbuch) March 7, 2017
And someone’s a fan of the Virat school of things! High praise coming from him.
Love Virat's aggression. Imagine if he was a fast bowler 😳
— Dale Steyn (@DaleSteyn62) March 7, 2017
1.40 pm: OUT! Steve Smith is trapped lbw by Umesh Yadav! Comes low, plumb in front. Some words exchanged and even Smith looked at his dressing room for an indication which is clearly not allowed. He doesn’t review. Australia are 74/4 and sinking.
I reckon that is the key wicket. I don’t think Australia can get back from this.
And there it is... Smith gone. Superb stuff from Yadav. Game on! #IndvAus
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) March 7, 2017
Looking at the dressing room for a signal to take the review??? Now....that's CHEATING. #IndvAus
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 7, 2017
Looking to the dressing room for guidance as to whether you should review an lbw is well out of order Steve Smith #IndvAus
— Spencer (@QldBaggie) March 7, 2017
1.30 pm: Handscomb copped quite a blow on his thigh from that Umesh delivery, but soliders on. It’s a maiden regardless so India won’t be too worried. Australia 71/3.
A very interesting explanation on the Marsh non-review. Yes, off-field pressure does take its toll.
I bagged him earlier today, but @MaasdorpJR is spot on here about Shaun Marsh in the blog: https://t.co/o4xNvJlBnH pic.twitter.com/Hg37xjTYZS
— Peter Marsh (@peterlmarsh) March 7, 2017
1.27 pm: Jadeja zips through for a one-run over. They are 71/3, need 117. You have to think Australia are just about holding on here. The Shaun Marsh dismissal was unlucky but they’ve tried and have got to have a good partnership going.
1.21 pm: The ball-tracker says the Marsh delivery would have missed the stumps by a long way. He didn’t review. He should have. So even Australia can screw up their reviews. Is it pressure talking? Australia 68/3, need 120
Oh dear... Australia opted not to review the Shaun Marsh dismissal #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/tnuYtmC7vg
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 7, 2017
That's what a wrong drs call can do. Had australia not reviewed @davidwarner31 and got it wrong they would review Shaun marsh. #INDvsAUS
— Boria Majumdar (@BoriaMajumdar) March 7, 2017
pretty sure Shaun Marsh wasn't out then but what are you gonna do.... we will have to rely on Mitch #indvaus
— Angus Livingston (@anguslivingston) March 7, 2017
1.17 pm: WICKET! Three down. Shaun Marsh shoulders arms to an Umesh Yadav in-dipper and he’s adjudged lbw! No review from Marsh this time, but maybe he should have. He goes for 9. India in this by a long way. 67/3.
OUT! Umesh strikes now with SMarsh trapped in front leaving one from round the wicket. Gone for 9. Australia 3-67 #INDvAUS
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 7, 2017
OUT! Umesh strikes now with SMarsh trapped in front leaving one from round the wicket. Gone for 9. Australia 3-67 #INDvAUS
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 7, 2017
1.09 pm: Another six-run over from Ashwin. Steve Smith looks the key batsman here. He’s looked in good touch and been largely untroubled, though that’s an understatement considering the nature of this surface and match. They are 65/2, need 123 to win. The first target will be to get the chase below 100.
Steve Smith's played an awesome innings so far.
— cricketingview (@cricketingview) March 7, 2017
#stevesmith is not going to make it is easy for #India 🇮🇳 ! I predict #Australia 🇦🇺 will win #indianajones #Testmatch #Cricket
— Dreams_under_process (@aamirajaz) March 7, 2017
1.07 pm: Jadeja into the attack. Took six in the first dig, remember, despite being under-bowled. Gets a maiden. Australia 59/2, need 129.
Ashwin conceded six runs in the last over. India have to plug these runs. This could get away.
If the Lord asks Umesh Yadav for 3 wishes he will say "My Lord, one will do. Can the edges I produce find safe hands?"
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 7, 2017
1.00 pm: Expensive over from Umesh. But he got a Smith edge which was dropped by Kohli at slip. Touch chance, but well...you know. Australia 53/2, need 135 more.
I’m still a little confused about that Warner dismissal. It looked clearly hitting outside the line of off stump so dunno how DRS says “Umpire’s Call”. Ah well.
Was umpire's call by a millimetre and that's being conservative! #IndvAus
— Daniel Brettig (@danbrettig) March 7, 2017
There's a clear gap between the line of the stumps and the ball, how is that out? #INDvAUS https://t.co/LCUCSHzmwz
— Conor Dillon (@cmdil) March 7, 2017
12.53 pm: GONE! Warner is given out. Big wicket. Can’t nail the sweep this time and he’s given out. He reviews and there are a couple of yellows, but the original call remains. India have got a key player out. Warner’s bad run continues. Australia 42/2.
Thoughts? #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/8IShFKKzh9
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 7, 2017
Ashwin kills 2 birds with one ball...wicket of Warner and one DRS review for Aus.👏#indvsaus #indvaus
— kill me softly (@hangmenow_) March 7, 2017
12.51 pm: Australia have now moved on to 42/1 off 9 overs. A run rate close to five. It’s a good, breezy start but they’ve lost Renshaw and need to keep their heads around them. Need 146 more.
Loving the way @stevesmith49 & @davidwarner31 have rotated strike and attacked. With a small target it really puts pressure on #INDvAUS
— Alex Carter (@abbacarter) March 7, 2017
Though wicket down, Australia scoring at a brisk rate #IndvAus
— MOHAMED RIYAZ (@ursriyaz) March 7, 2017
12.44 pm: SIX. Emphatic intent from Warner. Goes down the ground, swings over mid-wicket and gets it big. He will now be dictated to. Australia 40/1, need 148.
12.41 pm: Ishant concedes two off that over. Man, it’s so tight. So tense. Australia 31/1, need 157.
Ishant Sharma bowling to Steve Smith reminds me of former bowling to Ricky Ponting in that famous spell few years ago in Australia. #INDvAUS
— Raunak Verma (@RaunakVerma18) March 7, 2017
This was that spell:
12.36 pm: Spicy over from Ashwin. Got one to bounce up to Warner who took a single. Then Steve Smith showed real positive intent, sweeping him first ball for a boundary and then driving him for two. Australia 29/1, need 159 more to win.
12.31 pm: GONE! First one down for Australia. Brilliant from Ishant, kept nagging away and finally takes Renshaw’s edge. Australia 22/1.
India got all important Renshaw #INDvAUS
— 🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺EsVar🇦🇺🇦🇺🇦🇺 (@I_EswarSakamuri) March 7, 2017
And the first breakthrough comes! Ishant's good bowling has been rewarded. #INDvAUS
— Abhishek Baxi (@baxiabhishek) March 7, 2017
12.29 pm: Ashwin tests Warner out thoroughly in that over. Almost a repeat of his first innings dismissal but the ball missed off-stump. Sharp turn conceded another round of four byes. And we have an interruption because the Spider-Cam is jammed above the batsman and it’s not moving. Very bad timing. Australia 22/0 in 4 overs.
Spider cam stops the play here at Chinnaswamy. #IndvAus pic.twitter.com/ANPXfacyMe
— Deepu Narayana (@deeputalks) March 7, 2017
These runs are gold. #INDvAUS
— SimonC (@simonsbargains) March 7, 2017
Highest successful chases by AUS in Asia: 307 v Ban, Fatullah, 2006 194 v Ind, Bangalore, 1998 122 v Pak, Lahore, 1959#INDvAUS
— #INDvAUS #INDvsAUS (@BCCI_Score) March 7, 2017
12.20 pm: Five runs off this over from Ishant but a brilliant last two balls. Almost squared Renshaw up with a jaffa that just moved away. The caught-behind shout wasn’t given but should India have gone for the lbw review? Who knows. Australia 18/0.
12.15 pm: Ashwin concedes seven in that over, given the new ball over Umesh. First ball went for four byes. Warner and Renshaw took singles. Australia 13/0.
Just like that, 13 runs off first two overs. #INDvAUS
— Anish Anand (@testbowler) March 7, 2017
12.10 pm: And we’re off. Ishant’s line wasn’t the best off the first three balls, he bowled a wide as well, but but off the fourth ball, he got Renshaw’s edge which went through vacant gully for four. Betters his length, makes it fuller. Australia 6/0.
12.05 pm: This match is also suspiciously reminiscent of Sri Lanka vs India, Galle 2015. India were set 176 to win the Test. They were bowled out for 112, Rangana Herath taking 7/48.
12.00 pm: Well, well....Australia’s target of 188 will not be easy. Only four scores higher than this have ever been chased down against India in India. None of them came after 2000 and the last instance was coincidentally Australia doing it in Bangalore in 1998.
The predictions are coming, thick and fast.
This will be a game of pressure now as much as skill. Result of the series so important for both sides that it could impact performance
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 7, 2017
@cricketwallah … and I think India have enough to win, but not enough to be comfortable: thus enough for some enthralling cricket.
— Dilip D'Souza (@DeathEndsFun) March 7, 2017
188 to win. Mostly down to how Ishant Sharma/Umesh Yadav make the new ball count, if they get to bowl with it, that is. #IndvAus
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) March 7, 2017
11.26 am: GONE! Finally, Ishant’s patience runs out. Uppish drive to O’Keefe and gives a catch to Shaun Marsh. India 274 all out and Australia need 188 to win the 2nd Test and take a 2-0 lead in the series. They’ll start their innings after lunch.
Just to point out, it’s another collapse for India. The last-wicket partnership made it a little more palpable but India still lost their last six wickets for 36 runs.
Collapses are becoming the norm for this Indian team. #IndvAus pic.twitter.com/wqrRBktKZy
— TheField (@thefield_in) March 7, 2017
Unbelievable bowling with the new ball by Starc & Hazelwood, the game is still hanging in the balance.Never know about the 4th inn.#INDvAUS
— Shiv Dhawan (@shivdhawan10) March 7, 2017
Is 188 enough? Just about? Or just a little bit short? #IndvAus
— Amol Karhadkar (@karhacter) March 7, 2017
11.25 am: Oh Hazlewood. Tests Wriddhiman with a testing over. Gets one to scoop up but David Warner can’t cling on to a tough chance. Partnership has now lasted 57 balls and put on 16 runs. India 274/9, lead by 187.
Nearly a screamer of a catch from Warner and then a close call for a run-out off the same ball. It's all happening in Bengaluru! #INDvAUS
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 7, 2017
"You need to respect a bowler like Starc. You can't walk out against him thinking you are batting on 303." - Gavaskar on Nair #Burn
— Ashish Magotra (@clutchplay) March 7, 2017
11.17 am: Hazlewood thought he had got Ishant Sharma there but umpire’s call saves him. Close call there. Vital runs being done here. India 273/9, lead 186.
Just when Aussies thought they are chasing 170 odd and not going into 5th day, Ishant and Saha ensuring a fight, brilliant effort #INDvAUS
— Krishna Kulkarni (@kgk2608) March 7, 2017
Sharma being able to bat patiently should be a good sign for Australia at least. #INDvAUS
— CricketAus Fan (@CricketAustFan) March 7, 2017
11.15 am: Ishant doesn’t look a No. 11 at all. And he looks to be at ease against Nathan Lyon. Three runs off that over. India are slowly getting that lead close to 200 and that could be vital..272/9, lead 185.
Here is Saha’s first Test century:
Ishant deserves praise:
WOW, what brilliant batting from India's No. 11!
— Suhith Kumar R.N (@suhithtweets_92) March 7, 2017
Gutsy and clever with his approach to every delivery. #INDvAUS
11.07 am: Saha solidly keeping Hazlewood at bay. When will it start irritating Australia? Last wicket has put on 11 valuable runs. Could be gold. Ishant has also looked a solid force.
#IndvsAus #IndvAus For a test cricket, Saha seems to be playing with good batting average at the moment.
— Talk Time (@zoominfire) March 7, 2017
Saha farming the strike, refusing to take easy singles with eight men on the rope #INDvAUS
— Samuel Ferris (@samuelfez) March 7, 2017
11.04 am: Good batting from Ishant. Sweeps Lyon for a boundary and takes a single. He doesn’t look too bothered. The lead crosses 180. India 268/9, lead is 181.
#Poll
— TheField (@thefield_in) March 7, 2017
What will be a good total for India to defend in Bangalore? #IndvAus
11.00 am: Saha gets a valuable boundary off the last ball off the Starc over. India move to 262/9, lead is 175.
This must be directed at Umesh....
Even if you are a tailender, in a situation where 5 or 10 runs could be critical, you have to put a price on your wicket.
— Harsha Bhogle (@bhogleharsha) March 7, 2017
10.52 am: Well done, Ishant. His defence is looking very compact. Far better than Umesh Yadav, at least. Plays out six balls. Maiden but India won’t be worried. India 258/9.
10.49 am: Maiden over. Saha doesn’t take the single off the first four balls and can’t get it off the last two. India stay at 258/9, lead 171. And Hazlewood has six balls at Ishant.
It's all up to Saha to take us to 200. #INDvAUS
— Sanika Sawant 🏏 (@SawantSanika19) March 7, 2017
Fallen like a pack of cards for the fourth time in a row. Some really poor batting without any application from lower order.#INDvAUS
— Tarun Gupta (@XpressionsTG) March 7, 2017
10.41 am: NINE DOWN. Umesh Yadav needed just a single, he went for some expansive off-drive but only gave a simple catch to Warner. Six for Hazlewood. India 258/9, lead is 171.
Madness.
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) March 7, 2017
Idiotic cricket. What was Umesh trying to do there? Saha can bat, you know #INDvsAUS
— Ashish Magotra (@clutchplay) March 7, 2017
10.38 am: Well, well. All happening now. Saha has gone on the offensive and hit a four off Starc off the first ball of the over. Third ball, it hit a crack and was just saved by Wade. Saha is trying to farm the strike and he hits a six off the last ball, an attempted yorker which became a full-toss. All these runs are vital. India 258/8, 171.
10.30 am: FIVE WICKETS FOR HAZLEWOOD. Now he gets Ravichandran Ashwin. Bowled him! India 246/8!
India lost 4 wickets in a span of 8 balls in Pune and 4 in 9 balls in Bangalore - both their worst 4-wicket collapse (where info available).
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) March 7, 2017
If India's fast bowlers are watching, just bowl stump-to-stump. #INDvsAUS
— Ashish Magotra (@clutchplay) March 7, 2017
One 5-wkt haul in each of the 4 inns for Australia bowlers in this series.
— Bharath Seervi (@SeerviBharath) March 7, 2017
O'Keefe in both inns of first Test, Lyon and Hazlewood in this.
10.25 am: Now Hazlewood! Gets sharp bounce and Pujara only fends away. He’s gone for 92. India 242/7, lead is 155.
Pujara departs on 92, first time in 90s in Tests. #INDvAUS
— Cricketopia (@CricketopiaCom) March 7, 2017
10.21 am: OHH, BEAUTIFUL. THE BIG IN-SWINGER FROM STARC DESTROYS KARUN NAIR’S STUMPS. He goes for a golden duck. Two in two for Starc. Are Australia back in this? India 238/6.
An inside edge... thats 2 in 2... jeez this match! #IndvAus
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) March 7, 2017
Wow! Beaten for pace! 154kph!! Brilliant from Starc! #Ind in trouble.👊😎😉#cricket #INDvsAUS #INDvAUS #test
— OjasKumar (@OjasManvi) March 7, 2017
Starc finally found it, but did all those runs he conceded with the previous ball cost his side the match...? #indvaus
— Innocent Bystander (@InnoBystander) March 7, 2017
10.18 am: The good news for India is that the lead has crossed 150. The bad news? RAHANE FALLS FOR 52. The in-swinger from Starc finally, finally gives India the wicket. Partnership of 118 ends. India 238/5, lead is 151.
It was a brilliant half-century from Rahane and his celebration was typically unrestrained.
A gritty half-century from @ajinkyarahane88, his 11th in Test cricket #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/h0UGunsX06
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 7, 2017
Well, Rahane has showed them, right? As they say, form is temporary and class....
But...but... Rahane should be dropped because three bad matches vs Eng and Karun scored 300... #idiots https://t.co/x4L1sTP8yw
— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) March 7, 2017
This one's for all those who wanted him dropped after the first Test! https://t.co/VyGzmGy8B6
— ZENIA D'CUNHA (@ZENIADCUNHA) March 7, 2017
10.10 am: Hazlewood had a quiet over. One lbw shout where Pujara had padded but it wasn’t coming back enough. Frustration is evident on Australia’s faces now. A Starc delivery hits a crack and bounces over the cordon to be called a wide! India 235/4, lead 148 runs.
The good thing with the new ball taken by Aus is that we have both Pujara and Rahane out there, both certified openers #INDvAUS
— Prem Mohanty (@philipbkk) March 7, 2017
Eased out really? Doesn’t look like it!
Indians jumping up and down, the wkt has eased out and 250 is the min we need.#IndvAus
— Mayank (@fab_mayank) March 7, 2017
10.00 am: First boundary of the morning. And it comes from Rahane who hits the bright new red ball from Starc for a lovely cover boundary and gets his fifty in the process. Good batting and good recovery after the first delivery kept low and almost took out the off-stump. Missed by a whisker. Australia will feel their luck is deserting them. Catches not going to hand, edges not carrying, stumps being missed, lbws being overturned. Another Starc delivery keeps low but doesn’t hit the off-stump/ What does Australia do to get a wicket? India 232/4, lead 145.
Scoring Runs On Batting Friendly Pitches Is Too Mainstream, @ajinkyarahane88 Scores In Tough Conditions!
— Akshay Aher (@AkshayAher05) March 7, 2017
A Man Of Crisis#INDvsAUS #IndvAus
Anil Kumble said there's no question of dropping Rahane. He was so bloody right. #INDvAUS
— Anish Anand (@testbowler) March 7, 2017
Crisis man - Rahane. Well played.. Just because of his overseas runs, he deserves a permanent place in this team #INDvAUS
— Vimarsh Pratap (@VichaarVimarsh) March 7, 2017
9.53 am: Rahane is skipping down the track with abandon. He was lucky to get an edge on one which hit his pad but didn’t go to hand. The good thing is both these batsmen are watching till the end and getting the bat in front of their pads. So, no bat-pads or lbw shouts. And the lead is 137. India 224/4.
Here’s a list of chances Pujara gave at the beginning of his knock. A edge hit keeper Wade’s pad but spooned up into no-man’s land. Another edge went to the left of Smith who only managed to get a hand. Rahane gave a chance to leg-slip but a jumping David Warner only got one hand. Yes, India have been lucky this innings but so was Steve Smith in that second innings.
Pujara looks a bundle of nerves this morning.. Just like the way he started yesterday. Needs to settle down fast! #INDvAUS
— Vimarsh Pratap (@VichaarVimarsh) March 7, 2017
9.47 am: Definitely a much more disciplined line and length from Lyon so far. He looks to have regained some of that rhythm from the first dig where he took a career-best 8/50. Has had an edge and close lbw shout already this morning. Needs to get that final knockout blow. Till now, India survive. 221/4, lead 134.
The pitch has woken up again, it seems and both parties are saying it!
Again...this is one weird, weird pitch!! #IndvAus
— Kate Wall (@TheKateWall) March 7, 2017
Now all of the Sudden Pitch Has Woken up #INDvAUS
— Balaji (@Balaji_201) March 7, 2017
9.43 am: PUJARA SURVIVES! Caught in front of his stumps and the umpire gave it. He went for the review and this time it was a good one. Replays showed it would have missed leg stump completely. Decision overturned. It’s all going India’s way here. They stay 220/4.
Pujara has been the bane of Australia’s existence earlier as well:
9.38 am: Oh, something happening. Bat-pad from Pujara but it fell just short of Handscomb. Well one chance for Australia there. Otherwise, it’s been a pretty easy morning for India. Runs coming pretty easily. India 220/4, lead 133.
India have a 65 percent chance of winning this Test. But it’s fluctuated wildly through this match.
Here is #WinViz at the start of day four in Bengaluru. #IndvAus pic.twitter.com/XMV1glh11u
— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) March 7, 2017
#WinViz has fluctuated wildly in a thrilling Test match in Bengaluru. #IndvAus pic.twitter.com/Ir69TH4pvE
— The Cricket Prof. (@CricProf) March 6, 2017
9.33 am: No morning hiccups in the first over. Pujara and Rahane coolly keep it out and keep things simple. India 215/4, lead 128.
Character is the key word
Sport doesn't build character. It reveals character. And this Indian Team has shown its character in last two days. Proud. #INDvsAUS
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash) March 6, 2017
Laxman. Dravid. 2001. Kolkata.
— Zankrut Antani (@ZankrutAntani) March 7, 2017
Rahane. Pujara. 2017. Bengaluru.
Can it happen?
Not as hard as 2001! #INDvsAUS
9.00 am: Good morning! Welcome to our live coverage from Day 4 of the second Test between India vs Australia.
First things first. It’s not raining. It rained in the evening in Bengaluru yesterday but it’s not raining now though. Hopefully the rain will stay away through the day.
It was India’s day yesterday and they finally turned up in the series. Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane showed gumption and intent to slowly but surely turn the game India’s away. Their unbeaten 93-run partnership saved India from all sorts of trouble. A lead of 126 is already substantial on this surface.
The other big talking point from Day 3 was the controversial leg-before-wicket call of Virat Kohli. Was it bat before pad? Pad before bat? Check for yourself: