Jadeja-Axar Fifties Hurt Australia After Rohit's Ton; India Lead By 144 Runs At Stumps On Day 2
IND vs AUS: After Rohit Sharma notched his first ton as Test skipper, left-handers Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel went on to test the Australian bowlers as India scored 321.7 at Stumps on Day 2. The hosts have extended their lead to 144 runs in the first innings in reply to Australia's 177.
India lost skipper Rohit Sharma early on in the third session, bowled by the opposition skipper Pat Cummins. Debutant KS Bharat soon followed behind as Australian debutant Todd Murphy completed his maiden 5-fer. However, all-rounders Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel got together to frustrate the Aussie bowlers.
While Jadeja brought up his 17th Test fifty, while Axar Patel, batting at no. 9, brought up his 2nd Test fifty. While the former scored 6* runs, the latter etched 52* runs to his name. Earlier, India started the day on 77/1 and while batters kept coming and going at one end, Rohit Sharma stood solid at the other end, defying a fiery debutant at his priced wicket.
Todd Murphy grabbed a 5-fer on his debut while Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins registered 1 wicket each to their name. On Day 1, Australia were bowled out for 177 runs as Ravindra Jadeja picked up a 5-fer on his return. Marnus Labuschagne was the top scorer for the visitors with 49 runs to his name.
Earlier, Australia captain Pat Cummins won the toss & opted to bat first against India in the 1st Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. This match is being played at Vidarbha Cricket Association Stadium, Nagpur.
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