IND vs AUS, Tea Report: Australia Spin Web Around Indian batters To Push For Victory
Kohli departed for 13 [AP Photos]
Indian batters and their problems against spin continued in the second innings, with the home side pushed on the back-foot at the Tea break on Day 2.
An argument can be made that the Australian spinners have bowled better than the Indian spin trio, and the results were evident in the second innings, with all the wickets going in the bank of the spinners.
Resuming the second session at 13 for no loss, a better batting performance was expected from India's top-order, but that was not the case. Shubman Gill, who came in place of under-fire KL Rahul, went for a rather rash shot and missed it completely as the stumps were castled.
Rohit Sharma, who has been the best batter for India on this series, looked composed once again, but a lapse in concentration resulted in his wicket. He went deep inside the crease for a length ball and missed the flick as the ball struck him on the front leg. The Indian skipper took a review, but it had no effect on the decision.
Virat Kohli and Cheteshwar Pujara started the repair work, but spin came to haunt Kohli once again, with Kuhnemann dismissing Kohli for a paltry 13.
Just like Rohit, he went on the back-foot and the ball copped a blow on the back leg.
Once Kohli went back, Pujara took the aggressive route, and eased the pressure on himself and the Indian side.
Odd ball is keeping low and there was enough turn to keep the spinners on their toes. Ravindra Jadeja, promoted at number 5, went inside his shell and blocked everything coming at him. Eventually that resistance was broken when he missed a Nathan Lyon off-break and it trapped him in front of the stumps.
At the Tea break, India are 79 for 4, and still trail by 9 runs.
Talking Points
- Why Gill why?: He got the opportunity in place of KL Rahul and failed to grab it with both hands. In the second innings, he went after Nathan Lyon and missed his attempted slog as the ball struck the stumps. At that stage, there was no need for a rash shot.
- Off-Spinners love Kohli: First Todd Murphy and then Matt Kuhnemann. He once again looked solid in the second innings, but missed a simple off-break and the ball copped a blow on the back-leg.
Expectations
India would love to have Pujara play for a bit longer. He is looking confident and has hardly been troubled by the spinners. Can he continue the good work in the next session? Australia will look to get two-three early inroads.
Brief Score
India: 79-4 (32)
Cheteshwar Pujara 36* (76), Virat Kohli 13 (26);
Nathan Lyon 3-27 (11), Matt Kuhnemann 1-31 (11)
 "Anurag Dasgupta")
