Australia had just lost their opener David Warner (71) and the scoreboard read 139 for one In 47.5 overs — quite an achievement for this struggling side whose four players who have been axed for breach of protocol and one is injured. In came their in-form skipper Michael Clarke, who promoted himself at No 3 to strengthen their top-order. Another good partnership would have put the visitors in a commanding position for the first time in this series.
Big opening partnership had set the stage. The pitch wasn’t behaving crazy. You respect it and it would bestow upon you its blessings. But Clarke seemed in a hurry as if he wanted to assert his domination over Indian spinners - their tormentors in the series so far. He decided to step out on the very first ball only to helplessly see the ball turning, bouncing and beating the outside edge of his bat. Stumps dislodged. “Thank You”, MS Dhoni must have said.
Ravindra Jadeja the bowler was ecstatic to get two wickets (Warner and Clarke) in two balls -- it was the fourth time in five innings when Jadeja dismissed Clarke in this series. It was going to be the defining moment of this innings. From 139 for no loss, Australia ended the day at 273 for seven on the second day, which served as the first day due to a wash out on Thursday, of third Test between India and Australia for Border-Gavaskar Trophy.
Jadeja, though, couldn’t complete the hat-trick in the next over but managed to prove his credentials as a Test cricketer. He ended the day with figures reading 3 for 56. To his credit, Jadeja, whose inclusion in the Test team had evoked severe criticism from all quarters, has shown great improvement and adaptability in his three-Test-old career. With his success, he has showed how important it is to stick to your strength — in his case it is to bowl a tight wicket to wicket line. And with captain’s support, Jadeja is becoming more and more confident of his ability.
COWAN’S lUCK, SMITH’S POSITIVITY
If not for the dropped catches, India could have folded up the Australians by now. Two catches were dropped and two half-chances were missed by the Indian fielders on Friday. And it benefited Ed Cowan, who missed his century by 14 runs, the most. He was dropped twice - once each by Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara. — before being dismissed by Ravichandran Ashwin (1 for 64 in 33 overs), who bowled well but without much success.
Young Steven Smith, who made a comeback to the Test team as a batsman in this match, was the most impressive batsman for Australia. His positive, clear-minded approach helped him get to an unbeaten half-century (58 not out) in his first match on this tour, where even the experienced ones have been struggling. He alongwith Brad Haddin, who replaced injured Matthew Wade in this match, briefly took the attack to the hosts’ camp with some positive and aggressive batting. The way they batted was a lesson for the Australian batsmen who have been repeatedly told to learn from their mistakes.
However, Haddin slightly overdid it and paid the price. In an attempt to cut a wide Ishant Sharma delivery, which kept a bit low, behind the point fielder, he dragged it on to his stumps. It ended the crucial 46-run sixth-wicket stand.
Ishant, who along with Zaheer troubled the Australians on their last visit to Mohali, followed this lucky break with another wicket to expose the Australian tail as he bowled Moises Henriques (0) two balls later.
Peter Siddle succumbed for a duck too. Mitchell Starc and Smith kept their wickets intact to resume their fight for survival on Saturday. With one day already lost in the match, India would be looking to clean-up the Australian batting line-up within the first hour in the morning.
Brief Scores:
Australia: 273 for 7 in 104 overs Ed Cowan 86, David Warner 71, Steven Smith 58 batting, Mitchell Starc 20 batting; Ravindra Jadeja 3/56, Ishant Sharma 2/41) against India at close of play on Day 2.