Pat Cummins-led Australia dominated India on Day 2 in the batting-friendly conditions of Kennington Oval, London. India looked to make a comeback in the World Test Champions (WTC) final as the pacers got rid of Travis Head and Steve Smith early in the second session but they still ended up posting 469 runs on the board in first innings. India’s top-order struggled continued and they lost half their side on Day 2 still trailing by 318 runs.
Openers fall early
After Australia put a mammoth total in first innings, Indian openers Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill started off well with few boundaries. But Rohit once again disappointed in an ICC final. He played Cummins’ angled-in delivery down the wrong line and got trapped in front of the wickets. Rohit scored just 15 runs from 26 deliveries including two fours. Then an injured Josh Hazlewood’s replacement Scott Boland beat an in-form Shubman Gill all hands up. Gill let the ball hit the stumps as he failed to read its line. He scored just 13 runs from 15 balls.
Pujara, Kohli outsmarted too
After two wickets in the first session, the focus was on Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli. Pujara who had played County Cricket for Sussex started the innings with his typical fashion. But Pujara made the same mistake as Gill. Pujara let Cameron Green's angled-in delivery hit the stumps. Pujara scored 14 runs from 25 deliveries. Kohli was cautious against Australian bowlers who had their tails up after getting rid of top order for 50 runs. Mitchell Starc surprised Kohli with extra bounce as the ball hit the glove and carried to slip fielder Steve Smith. Kohli got out after scoring 14 runs from 31 balls as India found themselves struggling at 71/4 early in third session.
Jadeja’s counter-attack
High-on-confidence Ajinkya Rahane walked out to bat and played few positive shots whereas Ravindra Jadeja decided to take on the bowlers whenever the opportunity presented itself. Rahane got a reprieve when he reviewed a decision and Cummins had bowled a no ball. The fifth-wicket partnership helped India recover from early blows. As Jadeja was nearing his half-century, Nathan Lyon did the trick for Australia. Jadeja edged one to first slip fielder Smith. The all-rounder scored 48 runs from 51 balls including seven fours and one six.
India on back foot
In the last half an hour of Day 4, Rahane and Srikar Bharat ensured no more wickets fell in the third session. Rahane remained unbeaten for 29 off 71 balls. On the other end, Bharat scored five runs from 14 balls as India posted 151/5.
Indian bowlers’ comeback
Earlier on Day 2, Head got out to Mohammed Siraj's short delivery. He scored 163 runs from 174 deliveries including 25 fours and one six. Smith went on to score his 31st Test century but got bowled by Shardul Thakur. He scored 121 runs from 268 deliveries including 19 fours. Apart from Alex Carey's 48-run knock, Australian lower order failed to cross double digits as they got all out for 469. Siraj turned out to be the pick of the bowlers with a four-fer to his name.
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