Australia vs India 2018-19, 2nd Test: 5 talking points from Day 2

The day began with India having the arduous task of cleaning up the tail, something they have failed to excel at in recent times. And the first hour looked no different with Australian skipper Tim Paine and Pat Cummins grinding out the runs.

They left the balls that were doing too much, defended the ones that needed to be defended, ran the tough singles and in the process added 33 more to Australia’s overnight score of 277/6.

However, there was a twist in the tale as India then struck four times in quick time to bowl out the hosts. Australia’s final four fell for 16 runs with Umesh Yadav delivering a peach of a delivery to remove Cummins, Jasprit Bumrah trapping Paine in front of the stumps and Ishant Sharma picking up the remaining two in two deliveries.

India’s chase of Australia’s 326 didn’t start well as both the openers, Murali Vijay and K L Rahul, failed to see off Australia’s new ball attack. Skipper Virat Kohli then joined Cheteshwar Pujara to stitch together a partnership of 74 runs.

After Pujara’s dismissal, Ajinkya Rahane joined Kohli in the middle and the two stayed put at the crease, remaining unbeaten on 51 and 82 respectively. India ended the day on 172/3.

While the stage looks set for an absorbing last three days, let us take a look at the talking points of Day 2.

#1 Pat and Paine put up a fight

India started off Day 2 with Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami sharing the nine-over-old new ball. Surprisingly, India’s best bowler on Day 1, Jasprit Bumrah, was kept away and was only introduced into the attack as the second change, later in the session.

Although both Ishant and Shami bowled tight lines, they fell victim to the age-old problem of not pitching the ball up. Very few balls that they delivered would go on to hit the stumps, and also, very few balls made the batsmen play.

Both Paine and Cummins made the most of this. They were selective in their shot-making but at the same time made sure they rotated the strike.

The duo added 59 valuable runs for the seventh wicket, 33 of which came today. The partnership was finally broken by Umesh Yadav who, in the middle of a fiery spell, accounted for Cummins’ off stump.

#2 India’s openers continue to struggle

A lively green pitch that is spitting out unplayable deliveries. One of the best pace trios in the world raring to have a go at you. The need to battle out the few overs before lunch.

Those circumstances don't make for an ideal situation for any batsman. But it is a situation that the Indian openers should’ve familiarized themselves with, having found themselves in similar circumstances throughout the year.

However, it was a case of history repeating itself for the Indian fans, who have got used to seeing the openers fall cheaply.

Mitchell Starc had already dismissed Mural Vijay in both the innings of the first Test at Adelaide, with Vijay going for costly drives and getting caught behind the wicket. His dismissal at Perth was a treat to the eyes, but more for the Australian fans than the Indian ones.

Having sprayed the ball all around in the over, Starc finally got his radar right and pitched the ball up. The ball changed its direction and swung back in, and crashed through the tiny bat-pad gap of Vijay’s failed straight drive.

K L Rahul soon followed suit as an in-dipping yorker that swung away at the final second from Josh Hazelwood sent the stumps flying.

With Prithvi Shaw and Mayank Agarwal waiting in the ranks, the days are surely numbered for Vijay. And if Rahul’s poor form continues, he might follow suit there too.

#3 Kohli-Pujara keep India in the game

India two down early in the innings. India’s number three and four fight it out in the middle and save India from a spot of bother, if not put them in a commanding position.

This is a template that has featured in some of India’s best comebacks, especially in the late 90s and early 2000s.

Today was another such day where India’s number three Cheteshwar Pujara and captain Virat Kohli pulled India out of trouble. The duo joined hands when India were 8/2 and right away a push-drive from Kohli down the ground brought some calmness among the chaos.

Kohli later took on Josh Hazelwood as he scored three consecutive boundaries which included a drive on the up and two Kohliesque mid-on flicks off half-volleys. Pujara, meanwhile, went about things in his own usual way as he held one end up.

The two were tested thoroughly as they went through some dry spells, especially against Nathan Lyon. The partnership ended as Pujara was strangled down the leg-side by a short ball from Starc, but they had seen through the danger period and set a platform for India to capitalize on.

#4 Rahane 2.0

After the fall of Pujara’s wicket, both Mitchell Starc and Australia had their tails up, looking determined to pursue the short ball strategy. But out came India’s vice-captain, Ajinkya Rahane, with different plans.

Rahane played a pull shot off the third ball he faced. Though he didn’t time it well, he was able to clear the in-field and was rightly commended by the commentators on the air for his intent.

Rahane built on this intent and played his shots whenever the ball was there for the taking. He cut anything wide and short, and scored the first six of the match - and also the first at the Optus stadium.

Rahane’s counter-attack put Starc out of the attack and hampered Australia’s plans with the short stuff. He also brought up his second half-century of the series.

Rahane’s attacking attitude was on display even in the first match at Adelaide. Instead of going about things in his normal monotonous fashion, Rahane seems to have a set plan as to how to go about his run-scoring Down Under.

This positive outlook is a welcome sight for Indian fans at a time when India’s batting, other than Virat Kohli, has been under the scanner.

#5 Nathan Lyon keeps things tight

A hard and green looking 22-yards at the Optus stadium meant India and Australia opted for different approaches in their bowling attack. While India went for all-out pace like they’d done earlier in the year at Johannesburg, Australia stuck to their tried and tested bowling combination of Nathan Lyon along with the three pacers.

The lack of a frontline spinner for India meant there was no plug to the run-flow in the first innings, especially when the pitch surprisingly played placidly in the first session of Day 1.

Although Lyon went wicketless on Day 2, he remained consistent throughout and hit the right spots to help keep the fast bowlers fresh. 34 runs were scored off Lyon’s 22 overs, which included 4 maidens. He was the most economical bowler of the four.

There has been a lot of talk about India not picking the frontline spinner and having a long tail. But Lyon going wicketless and the pitch coming alive on certain occasions while remaining flat on others has put the 'right choice bowling attack' matter up for debate.