India vs Australia | Talking points from Day 2 of the 2nd Test in Bengaluru
© Getty
On a pitch that offered every bit to the bowlers, the Australian batsmen showed remarkable patience and intent to reach a score of 237/6 by Day 2 of the Bangalore Test. Matt Renshaw and Shaun Marsh scored half-centuries to give them a 48-run lead and a good chance to take a 0-2 lead in the series.
Brief scores: India 189 (Rahul 90, Lyon 8/50) trail by 48 runs against Australia 237/6 ( Renshaw 60, Shaun Marsh 66, Jadeja 3/49)
Matt Renshaw proves his pick
Matt Renshaw was picked as the opening partner to David Warner ahead of Usman Khawaja after some deliberation from Steve Smith when the series began. But for someone playing only his second Test in Indian conditions, Renshaw has batted with the poise of a veteran. The dry surface of the Chinnaswamy, which made life difficult for Indian batsmen, did not deter the youngster who exhibited Oogway-level patience.
Renshaw’s 60-run innings saw Australia gradually closed in on India’s first-innings total. When the runs were far to come by with Ishant Sharma and R Ashwin tightening the screws, the youngster partnered Shaun Marsh to weather the morning session.
The Aussies have shown India how to play quality spin in Indian conditions. Can India follow up on that tomorrow?
Shaun Marsh shows his subcontinental strength
Shaun Marsh has been touted as the most accomplished batsman of spin in the current Australian team, and today he reiterated it.
In Australia’s disastrous tour to Sri Lanka last year, Marsh had tackled veteran Rangana Herath and Lakshan Sandakan with absolute ease and today, he made a replay of that by nullifying the turn of Ashwin to a great extent.
After his partnership with Renshaw, Marsh joined hands with Handscomb and then wicketkeeper Matthew Wade to keep the score inching close to India’s total. In the fag end of the day, Marsh fell to Umesh Yadav, who was finally rewarded for his incisive bowling. With Marsh coming back to form, India
DRS-India: a tragic saga
India
India will have it tough tomorrow
The pitch has proved to be a bowlers' paradise so far and only a steady approach from the Aussie batsmen has seen them weather the storm. The pacers have found some uneven bounce across the turf and the spinners are finding prodigious pace if they pitch the ball in the right areas. With the pitch only getting tougher to bat on, Australia
With their backs to the wall in Pune, the Indian batsmen had wilted and showed minimal resolve. While batting second was the reason touted back then, they do not have any excuses to go back to this time around. Will they stand up when they need to tomorrow?
