IND vs AUS: 4th Test – Day 2 – Khawaja puts AUS in driver’s seat

Day 1 of the fourth and final Test between India and Australia saw the visitors put up a dominating performance against the hosts, and they continued from where they had left off to start the proceedings of Day 2. The first session was completely dominated by the Australians as Usman Khawaja, after hitting a ton on the previous day, went on to reach the 150-run mark.

Indian bowlers failed to pick a wicket in the first session, and the situation continued in the initial stages of the second session as Cameron Green notched up his maiden Test century. But Ravichandran Ashwin managed to pick three wickets before Tea and sent Green, Alex Carey, and Mitchell Starc back to the pavilion, and the hosts were back on track.

In the third session, Axar Patel managed to dismiss Khawaja and hand India the much-needed breakthrough as the Australian opener was barred from getting a double-century. Ashwin successfully got another five-wicket haul in the Border Gavaskar Trophy as Australia finished the first innings with 480 runs on board, and India started off with their batting innings. At stumps, Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill remained unbeaten and guided the side to 36/0 in 10 overs.

Usman Khawaja’s magnificent knock

After getting a century on the final over of Day 1, Khawaja continued to dominate with the bat on the second day. Though he lost partners on the other end post Lunch, his knock of 180(422) propelled Australia to cross the 400-run mark.

Cameron Green’s maiden Test ton

After assisting Khawaja brilliantly on the first day and throughout the first session of Day 2, Cameron Green finally reached the three-figure mark to claim his maiden Test ton and finished at 114(170) before being dismissed by Ashwin.

Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy’s ninth-wicket partnership

After Green and Khawaja’s dismissal, the tailenders kept Australia’s innings going. The 70-run partnership between Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy for the ninth wicket helped Australia close their innings at 480/10 in 167.2 overs.

R Ashwin’s six-wicket haul

It was just another day on the field for Ashwin as the veteran went on to pick a six-wicket haul against the Aussies. After picking up Travis Head’s wicket on Day 1, he dismissed Cameron Green, Alex Carey, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, and Todd Murphy on Day 2 which helped India put an end to Australia’s innings.