AUS vs IND 4th Test: Pujara, Rahane maintain key to India’s revival as guests finish on 62/2 on rain-hit Day 2

Rohit Sharma’s indiscreet shot choice pegged India again after rookie bowling assault restricted Australia to 369 on a rain-curtailed second day of the fourth Test on Saturday.

With heavy thundershowers stopping any play within the put up tea session, India ended the day at 62 for 2.

Rohit was elegant as ever in his 44 off 74 balls earlier than Nathan Lyon in his a centesimal Test enticed him to come back down the monitor however the half-chip-half-loft was safely pouched by Mitchell Starc within the deep.

India additionally misplaced Shubman Gill (7) who edged one off Pat Cummins to Steve Smith. Cheteshwar Pujara (8) and Ajinkya Rahane (2) added solely two runs within the 6.1 overs earlier than the break.

There have been six boundaries from Rohit however he didn’t fiddle at deliveries in and across the off-stump channel whilst Cummins and Josh Hazlewood bowled a testing spell underneath overcast circumstances.

The shot of the session was an on-drive off Cummins which got here after a streaky boundary via the slips in the identical over. Another pleasant stroke was an off-drive off Cameron Green as 49 runs have been added for the second wicket.

There wasn’t a lot swing on provide however the tempo off the monitor has elevated in comparison with the primary day and it solely helped that the Australian tempo assault is a extra properly constructed one with common velocity being not less than 6-7 kmph greater than their Indian counterparts.

Pujara, on the different finish was taking part in his normal ‘grinding out’ sport nevertheless it did not look too arduous until Rohit stored the scoreboard ticking on the different finish.

It would not be an over assertion to say that amongst all high order batsman throughout either side, Rohit regarded essentially the most comfy and until his dismissal by no means regarded like being troubled by the four-pronged assault.

However as has been his wont in SENA nations, Rohit simply earlier than the tea break went after Lyon when the scenario demanded that he may have performed for session-end.

It was similar to his dismissal off Moeen Ali on the stroke of tea through the 2014 collection and that was additionally after being set within the middle-order.

India, who’ve been pressured to subject a depleted facet will not thoughts an inclement climate which successfully makes the house staff extra jittery as a draw could be sufficient for Ajinkya Rahane to raise the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

In the primary session, India’s rookie bowling line-up did put up a lion-hearted effort, getting the final 5 wickets for 95 runs.

Shardul Thakur (3/94) together with debutants Washington Sundar (3/89) and Thangarasu Natarajan (3/78) obtained the breakthroughs whereas Mohammed Siraj (28-10-77-1) obtained one on the opening day.

For an assault as skinny on expertise as India, the trouble in hostile occasions can solely be recommended. India misplaced 5 fundamental bowlers via the three Test matches and have been pressured handy Test debuts to Natarajan and Washington.

Nathan Lyon (24 off 22 balls) and Mitchell Starc (20 off 35 balls) counter-attacked the inexperienced Indian assault with a brisk 39-run partnership to take Australia previous 350-run mark.

Going by statistics, Australia have by no means misplaced a Test match on the Gabba after scoring 350 within the first innings.

Resuming at 274 for 5, Tim Paine (50) and Cameron Green (47) prolonged their stand to 98 earlier than the house staff encountered a mini-collapse.

Thakur bowled a fuller supply that formed away and Paine’s lazy drive with out going to the pitch of the supply noticed Rohit Sharma take a regulation catch on the second slip.

Paine was simply moving into the groove with some good drives when Thakur offered the breakthrough.

With the partnership damaged, Green most likely misplaced his focus as he performed for the flip to an angle supply from Sundar which straightened after pitching and breached via his defences.

Pat Cummins (2) was adjudged leg earlier than as he yorked himself to a fuller supply from Thakur as Australia slumped from 311 for 5 to 315 for eight earlier than the tail wagged as soon as once more to beef up the whole.

Brief Scores:

Australia 1st innings: 369 all out 115.2 overs (M Labuschagne 108; T Paine 50, M Wade 45; T Natarajan 3/78, S Thakur 3/94, W Sundar 3/89).India 1st innings: 62 for two in 26 overs. (R Sharma 44, C Pujara batting 8; P Cummins 1/22).