After being sublime, Dhawan tentative
After playing a thrilling innings on Saturday, debutant Shikhar Dhawan (187) got out rather softly in only the second over on Sunday morning. He could add only two runs to his overnight score and missed the opportunity to hit a double ton in his first match. He looked tentative on Sunday. The decisiveness and comfort that he showed on Saturday was missing. He jabbed at a good length delivery from Nathan lyon and lobbed an easy catch towards Ed Cowan at silly point.
Unlucky Pujara
After waiting almost the whole day for his turn on Saturday, Cheteshwar Pujara was in the centre early this morning. He was looking solid as ever until an incoming reverse swinging Peter Siddle delivery created suspicion to hit him on the pads, though after taking the inside edge of his bat. But, it seems, the umpire couldn’t see that. He adjudged him out. Pujara couldn’t believe it and took some time to get to the grips of this unfortunate reality.
Sachin’s wait for Test ton continues
Sachin Tendulkar’s last Test century came long back in January 2011 against South Africa in Cape Town. Since then he has come close to the three-figure mark several times but could never achieve it. In Mohali as well, he failed to do that. He fell to Steven Smith for 37.
Vijay completes 150
Murali Vijay completed his second consecutive over 150-run score. He had hit 167 runs in the last match in Hyderabad. It was his third Test century — all have come against Australia.
New ball does it
After a successful morning session where Australia stopped India’s aggressive march with regular strikes, skipper Michael Clarke decided to take the new ball in the post lunch session. And his bowlers, who toiled hard on Saturday, responded positively with four wickets in six overs at the expense of just 19 runs.
Indiatake 91-run lead
After quadruple Australian strike, Virat Kohli and Bhuvneshwar Kumar steadied India’s innings with a 61-run stand for the seventh wicket and helped the hosts gain a decent first innings lead of 91 runs.
Bhuvneshwar’s triple strike
With a 91-run lead and only a day left in the match, it was important for India to strike early in order have a shot at a win. Bhuvneshwar struck thrice to stifle Australia’s top-order. He dismissed the dangerous David Warner in the first over only. After that Dhoni changed his end and Bhuvneshwar removed Ed Cowan and Steven Smith as well. Considering that all three of them scored half-centuries in the first innings, India have gained an upper hand over the visitors.