Nagpur, Feb 9: Team India ended day one of the Nagpur Test in a dominant fashion on Thursday (February 9), courtesy of some terrific bowling efforts from their lead spinners Ravindra Jadeja and Ravichandran Ashwin and captain Rohit Sharma.
At stumps, India reached 77 for the loss of the solitary wicket of opener KL Rahul while captain Rohit Sharma carried his bat unbeaten on 56 with night-watchman Ashwin present at the other end on 9 (not out).
The day belonged to India and it all started with Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin forging a 42-run partnership in the opening hour. However, debutant Todd Murphy opened a window of opportunity for Australia by dismissing Ashwin, Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli. Nathan Lyon castled Suryakumar Yadav to reduce India to 168 for the loss of five wickets but Rohit kept going from the one end and was supported superbly by Ravindra Jadeja. Leading from the front, Rohit brought up his ninth Test hundred and first as a captain. He was dismissed for 120 by his Australian counterpart Pat Cummins. Srikar Bharat could add only seven runs to the India total and ended up being Murphy's fifth victim. But before Australia could fancy bundling out the hosts, Gujarat-born stars Jadeja and Axar marred their plans and slammed fifties to take India's lead past 150.
Earlier, India bundled out the Aussies for a paltry 177 as comeback man Jadeja returned with his career's eleventh five-wicket haul in Tests.
Before the start of the highly-anticipated match, Rohit Sharma was spoilt for choices over selection of playing XI in Nagpur.
The Test series has been gaining prominence as one of the hotly-contested bilateral red-ball series with Steve Smith calling it tougher than winning the Ashes for obvious reasons.
Over the last decade, the two sides have been involved in intense battles and the same is being anticipated in the four-match Test series from Thursday.
What makes the Test a mouth-watering experience for the fans because of the quality of players on both sides, who are currently the cricketing giants of the world.
Many experts have picked their favourites for the series with former India coach Ravi Shastri expecting Rohit Sharma and side to put daylight between them and their rivals.
"As far as the series result goes, I think India should back themselves to win this series by a two-match margin. You're playing at home; you've got the bowlers for that. You've got the batting line-up as well. I think you've got to put pressure from Test match one," said Shastri.
Indian batting legend Sunil Gavaskar also backed India to dominate the series but expect a strong Australian side to pull one back at least in a 2-1 triumph for the hosts.
Here are the highlights from Day 2 of Nagpur Test:
India take 1-0 lead in the series after an innings and 132 runs victory.
Shami wraps Scott Boland in front and VAR doesn't save Australia now. Australia: 91/all out
Ravindra Jadeja disturbs the timber of Steve Smith and Australia are bundled out for 88. Ohhhh Nooooo!! It is a No Ball.
Nathan Lyon's stumps are uprooted by Mohammed Shami. Full and Straight and the tail-ender had no answer to that. Australia: 88/9
A simple chip and Rohit Sharma takes the easiest catch of his life at short mid-wicket. Todd Murphy (2) goes in the bowling of Axar Patel. Australia: 75/8
Ravindra Jadeja strikes after some outstanding bowling. Pat Cummins struggle comes to an end as he manages an outside edge. KS Bharat completes a smart catch to send the Aussie skipper packing. Australia: 67/7
Australia lose their 6th wicket as Alex Carey departs. They are 64/6 and it has been a procession of the visitors batters. They have had no answer to Ashwin. They trail by 159 runs. India need 4 wickets to win the match.
Australia half a side down.
W for Wicket for Ashwin yet again. Another LBW and Renshaw goes back for just 2 runs. Australia tottering at 48/4. India just need 6 more wickets to win the match. And they can complete it today.
Another Wicket down for Australia as David Warner departs. Ravi Ashwin is rattling the visitors here. Australia still trail by 188 runs and have 7 wickets in hand. Are we in for a 3rd Day wrap? 49 overs still to play. AUstralia: 35/3
Marnus Labuschagne departs in the bowling of Ravindra Jadeja. Australia: 26/2
Virat Kohli has dropped David Warner in the bowling of Ravichandran Ashwin. Australia: 19/1
And just as we said, Khawaja is gone. Ravichandran Ashwin gives the first blow. The ball turned away and took a thick edge. Virat Kohli completes the catch. Khawaja goes for 5. Australia: 7/1
Usman Khawaja hits a decent boundary of Ashwin. A drive that will boost his confidence. Australia: 7/0
Todd Murphy is a bright spot for Australia thus far. The young debutant showed immense discipline and grit and got the rewards for those.
India now lead by 223 runs. An uphill task ahead for the visitors in the 2nd innings. They will have to bat extremely well for the next one and half day.
Slower ball from Pat Cummins. Patel misses his slog and the ball just kissed the off stump, doing just enough to dislodge the bells.
India bowled out for 400. Axar Patel the last man out.
India have crossed the 400 mark. Axar Patel nearing his maiden hundred as Siraj hangs on at the crease.
Mohammed Shami goes for the slog and manages only a top-edge. Alex Carey takes a good catch. Shami goes for a decent 37, Todd Murphy gets his 7th wicket. India: 380/9
India get another 50-run partnership for the 9th wicket as Axar and Shami march along. Mohammed Shami (36) has scored bulk of the runs though as the pair will aim to damage further.
Consecutive Sixes for Mohammed Shami. Fantastic Six over Long-Off by Mohammed Shami. Flighted by Todd Murphy and Shami pounces on it. And then he slogs and clears Deep Mid-wicket. India: 376/8
India have crossed 350 mark in the first innings. Axar (63) and Shami (17) look settled and untroubled by the Aussie bowlers. The lead is now 180 runs. Score: 357/8
Axar motoring along while Mohammed Shami also looks decent. Shami, already dropped at long-on by Scott Boland.
Todd Murphy picks up his 6th wicket. Ravindra Jadeja is gone after a fantastic knock of 70 runs. India 328/8
India will be aiming to score big and get a lead around 300 on the Third Day. The order for the Aussies is wickets though. We are up for an exciting day.
Have been doing well with the bat for the last one year. That confidence is coming in handy. My technique, I always knew it was good. I work on it when I get a break. Work with the coaching staff. They tell me that I have the ability, so I try to contribute. When you go in to bat you find some difficulty (on that pitch), but it gets easier after spending some time. The talk with Jadeja was to not lose focus. Till the time we bat tomorrow the pitch will play well, and when we get the chance to bowl, we'll find help (laughs).
A bad, bad, day for Australia. Another dropped catch in slip. Jadeja survives, hard luck for Lyon who has his head in his hands.
India all-rounders are doing to job here. First Jadeja and now Axar, Australia have been outplayed by these two alone. Second for Axar in Test cricket.
A full-toss from Axar and he pounces onto it for a four towards mid-wicket. He is a boundary away from his fifty now/