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

#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.