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Jadeja's 4-fer, Ashwin's double blow pushes Australia on the back-foot


image-ldwsd3hpJadeja took 3 wickets in the second session [Associated Press]

If Australia were victorious in the first session (by the barest of margins), the second session was completely owned by India and of-course, Ravindra Jadeja.

Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith looked rock solid for most of the time, and were rarely unfazed by the Indian spin trio, but one breakthrough can change the course of the session.

Smith, Labuschagne were laying a strong foundation for the middle order batters, and then the lightning struck in the form of Ravindra Jadeja. As he has done so often, you give him a turning track, and Jaddu will provide you with crucial breakthroughs.

Just one run shy of his maiden fifty in India, Labuschagne went after a turning delivery and was beaten in flight as KS Bharat used his quick hands to dislodge the bails. One brought the wicket of another as Matt Renshaw, playing in place of Travis Head departed on the very next ball. 

A quicker length ball and he failed to read the line as the ball copped a blow on the front leg. India were right on top with twin strikes, but Smith looked like a man on a mission. He struck three boundaries in an over of Axar Patel, but his gritty knock of 37 ended shortly as Jadeja bowled a pearler to knock him over.

Smith, too played for the turn, but the arm ball did the wonders for the bowler. He left a big bat-pad gap and Jadeja exploited it to perfection.

Peter Handscomb, who is apparently known for his astute footwork in Asian conditions, has looked compact in his defence. He was tested  multiple times by Jadeja and Axar, but he has held one end firmly. Carey played some nice looking drives, but perhaps got a bit greedy when he under-edged an attempted reverse sweep that castled his stumps.

Cummins' resistance was short lived as he nicked a Ashwin off-break towards the slip region and Kohli made no mistake at first slip. Murphy followed him soon as Jadeja grabbed his fourth wicket.

At the tea break, Australia are 174 for 8

Talking Points

  • Steve Smith struck three boundaries in an over of Axar Patel, signalling a positive intent against the wily spinner
  • Just when India needed wickets, Jadeja struck two in two and changed the complexion of the game.
  • Handscomb resisted the Indian spinners, but lost partners at the other end as Jadeja, Ashwin wreaked havoc.

Expectations in the next session

Expect India to wrap things up quickly. The wicket has started to deteriorated and the Indian spinners will be looking to end the Aussie innings quickly.


Brief Score

Australia: 174-8 (60)

Marnus Labuschagne 49 (123), Steve Smith 37 (107);

Ravindra Jadeja 4-45 (20), R Ashwin 2-41 (14)