IND vs AUS 2nd Test Day 2: Ashwin-Axar keep India in the hunt despite Lyon's five-for, AUS lead by 62 Runs

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India have managed to salvage themselves out of the rubble as a late resurgence by Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel has stormed India right back into the game on Saturday (February 18).

Australia were bowled out for 263 on the first day. Mohammed Shami picked up 4 wickets while Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja got three wickets each. In reply, India came back from 139/7 to finish at 262 runs, conceding a slender lead of just 1 run.

India played out the final half hour of the first day without any damage as KL Rahul, and Rohit Sharma started the proceeding for the hosts on Day 2.

India vs Australia Live Score:

India vs Australia 2nd Test Day 2:

It was an enthralling day of Test cricket at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi as spectators were treated with a see-saw battle between the two teams. Australia certainly had the upper hand in the early stages, but the hosts finished the day with much more comfort.

Nathan Lyon dismantles India early:

It was a steady start for India on the second day. The Indian openers looked decent during the early overs, but Nathan Lyon changed the whole complexion of the game in a matter of overs. Lyon picked up KL Rahul (17) as the batter was caught in front. Indian skipper Rohit Sharma was next as he was castled by Lyon, and Cheteshwar Pujara (0) and Shreyas Iyer (4) followed soon.

Lyon was the main architect behind India's capitulation as he picked up all 4 wickets, making India crippling at 66/4 before lunch.

Kohli resurgence and Dismissal:

Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja steadied the ship for India. The duo took the hosts beyond the 100 mark and was looking decent. Kohli, in particular, played some exquisite shots as he temperament, timing were impeccable throughout the inning. But Jadeja was picked up by Todd Murphy, and Kohli fell soon after. Debutant Matthew Kuhnemann picked up Kohli as the Indian batter was given LBW in Controversial circumstances. India were 139/7 as Srikar Bharat also departed after an awful shot as Nathan Lyon picked up his 5th in the match.

Ashwin and Axar game-changing Partnership:

India were staring down the barrels and it was looking like the visitors were closing in on a huge lead. But Ravichandran Ashwin and Axar Patel had other plans in mind. The spinner duo came in and negotiated the Australian spin trio with ease. Axar, in particular, was fantastic as he took on Lyon and Murphy to break the shackles.

As the day progressed, things kept getting easier for the hosts. Australia were guilty of not taking some catching opportunities and some wayward bowling, but Axar and Ashwin were assured with their batting as they steered India towards safety. The pair added 114 runs for the 8th wicket as the hosts came close to Australia's first-inning total at the flag end of the day.

Ashwin departed for 37 in the bowling of Pat Cummins, but it was nothing sort of a brilliant effort by the duo to take India out of the mud. Axar Patel (74) also bit the dust in Todd Murphy's bowling, but the pair did their job exceedingly well as they rallied India back into the match.

India were bowled out for 262 runs as the visitors managed a 1-run lead going into the second innings.

Aggressive batting by Australia in the end:

Australia, in their second innings, started in an aggressive manner. Travis Head was sent in to open and he played a few decent shots. But Ravindra Jadeja struck for India as Usman Khawaja was departed for just 6 runs. The southpaw, who batted brilliantly in the first inning, went back to the hut courtesy of a stunning catch by Shreyas Iyer.

But Marnus Labuschagne and Travis Head continued their positive intent and scored some valuable runs. At stumps, Australia are on 61/1 and the visitors lead by 62 runs.

India vs Australia 2nd Test Day 3:

The Day 3 of the 2nd Test will start on Sunday at 9.30 AM IST. The match will be shown Live on Star Sports network, while Indian viewers can live-stream the match on Disney+ Hotstar App and Website.