Australia take crucial lead over India on Day 2 in Bangalore

Wade (25*) continued on in company of Mitchell Starc and extended Australia’s to lead to 48. The two players added 26 runs for the fourth wicket before Handscomb left and India made a fine comeback into the game reducing Australia to 160.

“It was a grind”. Marsh top scored with 66 while the 20-year-old Renshaw once again showed that he belongs at the top level scoring 60. “But we just needed to bat the whole day and we’ve managed to do that”. “Instead of retiring us on balls, they retired us on runs, so once we got to 50, we had to retire and someone else would come in”, Renshaw said. Marsh went in to tea unbeaten on 38 after that reprieve.

Australia began the day at their overnight total of 40 for no loss in reply to India’s 189 all out on Saturday. 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.

He went on: “I think Pune we knew was going to spin”. More importantly, he combined with Wade for a crucial 57-run stand for the sixth wicket in the final session when it seemed India could take the advantage after reducing Australia to 163 for five at tea.

Marsh had his share of luck, surviving a few close calls against the Indian bowlers, including nicking a Yadav delivery on 14 off the glove.

The Indian captain is yet to land a blow with the bat, dropping catches in the field and probably will not take a wicket but it was he, and not his bowlers, who took it upon himself to rattle the cages of the Australians. India lost both their reviews within 13 overs after the reset. This series, Renshaw has spent over eight hours at the crease, and only nine innings into his worldwide career, the opener has faced in excess of a thousand balls. Wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha completed the stumping in quick time. “First, we’ll look to get four wickets and once we get that we have to bat well and put some runs on the board”.

“I just have to get it out of my system and move forward”, Vijay said ahead of the second test in Bangalore, which starts Saturday and where the pitch is expected to play vastly differently.

“We’ve had the preparation in Dubai which has been fantastic and we’re grateful for that opportunity and it’s really put us in a really good position coming here to India”, opening batsman David Warner said.

Renshaw also had confrontations after he denied bowler Ravichandran Ashwin from stopping a single of Smith.

Renshaw said that Kohli also had a chat with his counterpart Steven Smith. It wasn’t easy for them, the odd ball was staying low and at the same time they put in a lot of hard work. Pujara felt India were still very much in the Test match, regardless, and hoped they could take the remaining wickets quickly.

The second test between the Aussies and India, is on its way and it seems that the home team is yet not able to make their mark in the series.