Having previously scalped a five-wicket haul with the ball, Ravindra Jadeja doubled up with an impressive half-century to help India build a significant lead against Australia in the ongoing first Test of the 2023 Border Gavaskar Trophy. At the end of Day 2, the hosts’ run-tally reads 321/7, enjoying a 144-run first innings lead.
Jadeja came out to bat when India were in a precarious position, having lost two of their most reliable batters in Virat Kohli and Suryakumar Yadav, in a span of seven overs. The all-rounder, however, effectively ceased the fall of wickets by building a 61-run sixth-wicket stand alongside skipper Rohit Sharma.
After scoring 120 runs, curtains were called on Sharma's knock as he was bowled by Pat Cummins, while in his debut Test outing, wicket-keeper batter KS Bharat could only accumulate 8 runs.
Jadeja, however, continued adding to India’s advantage, while fellow all-rounder, Axar Patel provided him with commendable support.
While the former scored his 18th half-century in Test cricket, the latter brought up his second fifty in this format. At the end of day 2, Jadeja is batting on 66 off 170 deliveries, with Axar being unbeaten on 66 off 170 deliveries at the other end.
Rohit Sharma Creates New Record
Earlier in the second session of the day, Sharma brought up his maiden Test century against Australia. The baggy greens had a dream start to the session, as Todd Murphy, who scalped a five-fer on debut, sent Virat Kohli packing. In an attempt to dispatch a ball on the leg side, the former Indian skipper ended up giving a catch to Alex Carey.
Making his Test debut for the national side, Suryakumar Yadav struck a delightful boundary in the first delivery he faced. The delight, however, did not last long as he was clean bowled by Nathan Lyon whilst batting on 8.
However, Sharma’s knock helped India cross the opposition’s tally of 177.
The Indian captain brought up his ninth ton in this format, and subsequently, made history by becoming the first Indian to score centuries across all three formats of international cricket whilst also leading the team.
Todd Murphy Shines for the Baggy Greens
In the first session of Day 2, India scored 74 runs at the loss of two wickets. After losing KL Rahul at the dusk of Day 1’s play, the hosts sent Ravichandran Ashwin as a nightwatch to see the day out. The all-rounder got off to a good start as he took the attack on Nathan Lyon and Pat Cummins. Sharma joined the act soon, as India took all but eight overs on Day 2 to breach the 100-run mark, courtesy of an audacious pull by the 35-year-old.
The duo continued batting at the same pace, switching effortlessly between acceleration and deceleration, as the first hour of the day saw them accumulating 40 runs without the loss of any wickets.
The breakthrough, however, came in just the second over after drinks.
Bowling from round the wicket, Murphy gave Ashwin a taste of his own medicine, as he outfoxed the veteran with spin to trap him leg before wicket. While the on-field umpire was initially unmoved, he was forced to change his decision after a successful DRS appeal showed all three reds, as Ashwin had to depart after scoring 23.
The youngster almost had his third wicket in his next over when his off-spin foxed Sharma, and while the umpire signalled not out this time around as well, DRS did not come to the baggy greens’ rescue for a second time.
Whilst the experienced players struggled to pose any threat, Murphy did all of the talking for the visitors, as he eventually had his third scalp just moments later. In his attempt to play a sweep, new batter Cheteshwar Pujara ended up edging the ball into the palms of Scott Boland at short fine-leg, thereby departing after scoring only 7 runs.
Had luck been on his side, the 22-year-old could have scalped his fourth in the first session itself as Kohli also edged a delivery, but it was wide of backward point. There was also a run-out opportunity for Pat Cummins’ men, but they could not capitalise on it.
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