Ind vs Aus, Day 2: Ashwin's six help India hit back after Khawaja Green show
Following Usman Khawaja's amazing 180, which essentially wiped out the hosts for the majority of the first two days, R Ashwin picked up his 32nd five-wicket haul to lead India's response with the ball. Cameron Green provided good support with Khawaja, adding 208 runs with him for the fifth wicket before Ashwin got involved and held Australia to 480.
Australia threatened to surpass that for a significant portion of Day 2's opening half due to an unfussy, fluid pairing. Green, who had a score of 49 when the day began, was flawless throughout, despite India's efforts to maintain tight control on a flat ground. He was able to profit anytime India misplayed their lengths, collecting a total of 18 boundaries on route to his first Test century.
On the other end, Khawaja made few adjustments to his approach and kept batting calmly while facing any bowler. The pair had batted through the morning's opening session without incident and had remained together for 378 balls in total to take out India.
Australia benefited from Green's earlier-in-the-day partnership with Khawaja. The plan by India to bowl dry was maintained at one end the entire time, but Umesh Yadav's wastefulness proved to be a hindrance to their overall approach.
Despite Umesh's erratic behaviour, Rohit Sharma stuck with him for a 6-over stint that ended up going for 37 runs in the session, giving Australia's stability some extra punch. Many of these gifts were given to Green, who gladly received them. India was left perplexed by their 177-run stand as Australia's grind once more was nearly flawless.
The second session began with well-timed drives from Green, but just as he was about to step up his game, he fell gloving a sweep at Ashwin that was expertly collected by KS Bharat down the legside. By outright dismissing Alex Carey for the fifth time in the series, Ashwin followed up that breakthrough. He got Carey at short third man for a duck after luring him to play a big shot with a ball that was flung up. He had Mitchell Starc caught at the short leg with one sliding on as the inspirational spell continued. Australia lost three for nine in the span of five overs, thus ending most of the previous progress.
Khawaja became the first foreign player to bat 400 balls in an innings in India in 13 years despite the mistakes made at the other end of the field. Axar Patel eventually managed to get past a shot that had been mainly successful, the flick, and had him LBW on 180, which led to his eventual ejection shortly after Tea.
Though Nathan Lyon and Todd Murphy added 70 runs together, India was once again forced to work hard for their wickets after Khawaja's departure. The end didn't come quickly until the next new ball, when Ashwin had Lyon steal a similar ball from slip to bowl Australia out and complete with a six-wicket haul. He had one slipping on from behind the wicket to get Murphy LBW.
After a hard-fought day of play, India's openers easily completed the final 10 overs to give the hosts a secure finish.
Brief Scores:
Australia 480 (Usman Khawaja 180, Cameron Green 114, R Ashwin 6-91)
India 36/0 (Shubman Gill 18*, Rohit Sharma 17*)
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