2nd Test, Day 2 in Bengaluru

Hard fought half centuries by Shaun Marsh (66) and Mathew Renshaw (60) helped Australia make 237 for 6 and gain a handy 48-run first innings lead against India on the second day of the second test being played at M Chinnaswamy stadium here today.

Australian captain Steve Smith (8) entered the fray, but he was never able to impose himself on the match as India’s spinners racked up the maiden overs and piled on the pressure. Spin, bounce and pace are all variable, requiring Renshaw and the rest of the Australians to adapt further still to every ball spun or seamed down towards them. It surely looked like a gameplan to unsettle the Australian skipper.

On the day several former greats believed would decide the series, the youngest player in the side, Matt Renshaw, led the way with another courageous half-century as Australia displayed their newfound resilience on the subcontinent.

The ball had pitched outside leg, and crashed into the off-stump, and Warner (33, 67b, 3×4) was done in by the magical delivery.

As the deficit came under 30 runs, Ashwin picked a blinder of a wicket at midwicket off Jadeja to send Peter Handscomb (16) packing and in the final delivery of the session, Sharma had Mitchell Marsh (0) LBW as the visitors reached 163 for five.

After David Warner was clean bowled by R Ashwin in the 22nd over, the Indian offie tried to field a Steve Smith straight drive, but instead of getting around non-striker Renshaw, ran straight into the batter. Shaun Marsh was batting on 38.

Australia could only add 47 runs from 29 overs while losing two important wickets.

Matthew Wade and Marsh formed a good partnership in the first hour of the final session, and Kohli chose to take the new ball with the hope of making a breakthrough.

“There was a bit of talk but I think that’s because they’re trying to unnerve each other (Smith and Kohli) and get under the skin”, he said. Renshaw in particular had been edgy; his patient survival was critical for Australia, though he will need significant support as the day wears on. He added 57 runs with Matthew Wade to take Australia past 200.

Off-spinner Nathan Lyon took eight for 50 in the first innings for the best figures by an overseas bowler as India suffered their third consecutive batting meltdown in the series after being all out for 105 and 107 in Pune.

Kohli has endured a horror start to the Border-Gavaskar series, dismissed for scores of 0, 13 and 12 – the latter two without offering a stroke – while his side is yet to post 200 against an Australian side whose spinners have dominated.