Steve O’Keefe grabs six wickets as India collapse for 105

“It’s been a challenge for both sides”.

India were at 94-3 on day two before O’Keefe turned on the style against a stunned Indian batting order that offered no resistance as he raced to career-best figures of 6-35.

“It’s certainly going to be a hard next three Test matches”. India last tasted a home defeat in Tests in 2012 against England.

Ever since the first innings of India folded at 105 on Day 2, one thing that seemed in constant jeopardy was the unbeaten streak that Virat Kohli had proudly protected for 19 matches. He also assured that India will put pressure on Australia from ball 1 at Bengaluru Test starting from March 3.

Lyon’s dismissal meant the visitors – who have a terrible recent record on the sub-continent – had slumped from 119-1 to 205 for nine before Starc put on an unbeaten 51-run stand with Hazlewood.

Virat Kohli was handed India’s Test captaincy immediately after MS Dhoni made a decision to exit the scene from the longer format of the game. Both were three-day wins for India, but in both those Tests India won the toss. “Everybody assumed we wouldn’t lose another Test”.

Kohli has been in outstanding form.

“Terrific job over the last three days”, the 27-year-old said.

Perhaps the Aussies prepared better and more thoroughly and professionally for the four-Test series against India.

At the post-match press conference Kohli said: “It’s been a good run”.

In comparison, Aussies played out 90 and 87 overs in their first and second innings respectively against the likes of Ravichandran Ashwin, Ravindra Jadeja and Jayant Yadav who together have taken more than 100 wickets this season. K.L. Rahul who raised his second Test fifty in 84 balls and also showed signs of recovery with a 50-run partnership with Ajinkya Rahane for the fourth wicket played a reckless shot, charging down to O’Keefe and skying it to David Warner.

Australia have the strongest cricket system in the world that produces quality cricketers regularly.

Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has continued his scathing criticism of the Australian team, despite his nation being dismantled by Steve Smith’s men by 333 runs in the first Test. But Smith has an excellent record against India. The opener scored his second test half-century off 84 balls, and then the slide began.

Before the ongoing Test, 90 Test matches had been played between the two countries. One match was tied. And, yes, on what looked from the outside like a mental capitulation from India’s batsmen in both innings. They tried their level best. Australia’s lowest is 83, recorded in Melbourne in February 1981. Even the knowledgeable and discerning Down Under had warned Australia would find it very tough in India.

Not many spinners come to India and dominate the Indian batsmen. Umesh looks a much improved and mature bowler than what he was six months ago.

Pujara was dismissed by O’Keefe in only the second delivery after tea as a delivery that skidded off after pitching hit his pad plumb in front of the wicket. In outright results, the fast bowlers’ average drops to 28 as against 59 for spinners. Cricket pundits couldn’t spot a Warne among his successors – Brad Hogg, Stuart MacGill or a Nathan Lyon.