Fast bowler Umesh Yadav and bowler Ravichandran Ashwin each claimed three wickets to trigger a dramatic Australian batting collapse in the first session of Day 2 of the Indore Test on Thursday (March 2).
Resuming their innings at 156-4, the visitors put themselves in a strong position, reaching 186. It all went downhill from there, however, as Australia lost their last six wickets by just 11 runs to be bowled out for 197.
Peter Handscomb, who was unbeaten in seven overnight, was the first Australian wicket to fall on Day 2 in Indore. A pitch thrown by Ashwin induced an inside edge from Handscomb (19), who was cleverly caught by Shreyas Iyer with short leg.
The wicket opened the floodgates as Cameron Green (21) was caught lbw by Yadav, and the all-rounder was struck with a late inside move. Mitchell Starc (1) was brought down with a peach when a short pitch from Yadav tipped in and held the line from him to beat the Australian lefty. It was Yadav’s 100th Test wicket in India.
Here is the video of Starc’s wicket:
ICYMI – ππ¬π¬ππ΅ π§π²ππ ππΆπ°πΈπ²π in India for @y_umesh πͺ What a ball it was for Umesh Yadav as he mops Mitchell Starc to grab his 100th Test wicket at home. #INDVAU https://t.co/AD0NIUbkGB
Australian goalkeeper-batsman Alex Carey (3) was next to fall. He was badly hit while playing on the wrong line and got caught in front of the stumps. DRS was unable to save him, as replays confirmed that the ball would have hit his leg stump.
Yadav produced another beauty to castle Todd Murphy for a duck as Australia’s innings continued to implode. Ashwin put an end to his misery when Nathan Lyon (5) missed his sweep and was tackled.
Here is the video of Ashwin shopping for Handscomb:
A session that started with a lot of promise for the visitors – they did very well in the first hour – did not end as planned as Yadav and Ashwin went on a rampage.
Indian openers survive a difficult period ahead of lunch against Australia
After defeating Australia for 197 in their first innings in 76.3 overs, the Indian openers had to survive a tricky four-over spell before lunch on the 2nd in Indore. They emerged unscathed, with captain Rohit Sharma returning unbeaten in the 5 and Shubman Gill in the 4.
However, India lost Gill (5) at the start of the second session. He was taken down by Lyon as he ran down the track and missed his slog.
The Indore Test is important for the hosts as a win will confirm their place in the World Test Championship final.