[Shumi_21]

Marnus Labuschagne bowling wild & wayward 135kph bouncers was not on my bingo list

At tea we are 84/0, leading by 130. The pitch is still difficult, with Yashasvi & KL playing and missing quite a few. But both openers have shown tremendous skill to not only hang in there, but also score runs. Standout shot for me today was Jaiswal playing a full blooded extra cover drive right under his eyes, off a 142kph Starc outswinger. A similar delivery & shot had been Yashasvi's downfall in the first innings.

[NPV]

Great patience and batting skills (finally)!
But the job isn’t done, especially against the Aussies, we need to keep going. Couple wickets could start a procession.

This just proves that it’s not lack of skill, but it’s really more the lack of application, patience and grit.

Looking at our batsmen play, the Aussies will also be making notes and have some idea of how they can play better in the second innings. I think anything < 350 could be an achievable target for Australia.

[Asish_VK]

Finally, proper test cricket batting is back!
Superb display of grit and determination by Indian openers. I think India should bat through today and till tomorrow last session. Set a target of >300.

Happy for Rahul, doing justice to his talent and potential. Not sure about his position once Rohit is back, I guess one down will be ok, since Rohit will be a free wicket where fast bowlers have some assist

[sunilch]

Originally Posted by NPV

Great patience and batting skills (finally)!
But the job isn’t done, especially against the Aussies, we need to keep going. Couple wickets could start a procession.

This just proves that it’s not lack of skill, but it’s really more the lack of application, patience and grit.

Looking at our batsmen play, the Aussies will also be making notes and have some idea of how they can play better in the second innings. I think anything < 350 could be an achievable target for Australia.

Originally Posted by Asish_VK

Finally, proper test cricket batting is back!
Superb display of grit and determination by I dian openers. I think India should bat through today and till tomorrow last session. Set a target of >300.

Happy for Rahul, doing justice to his talent and potential. Not sure about his position once Rohit is back, I guess one down will be ok, since Rohit will be a free wicket where fast bowlers have some assist

Given the pitch now and other conditions, AUS can also stay at the crease for long, if determined and patient. So we need to either have a massive total lead (500+) before giving it to AUS or at-least get through the 3rd day without any major losses. Then the rest of the two days can be utilized to defend and win.

[Asish_VK]

Originally Posted by sunilch

Given the pitch now and other conditions, AUS can also stay at the crease for long, if determined and patient. So we need to either have a massive total
lead (500+) before giving it to AUS or at-least get through the 3rd day without any major losses. Then the rest of the two days can be utilized to defend and win.

Yes, we should bat till last session of 3rd day. It's supposed to be the best day for batting. If we could manage that, I guess 400+ lead is achievable.

4th innings is always tough at this ground

[harry10]

Can't even remember when we had such a great opening partnership in tests.

KL finally coming good when needed most and Jaiswal showing why he is going to be a Cricket great in future.

1st innings debacle by both teams has ensured there will be a result this game and right now it looks massively in favor of India.

[Laxmistart]

Happy to see Rahul's innings so far, while backlash was warranted, its great to see him overcome. Now its Kohli's bat to do some talking.

[NomadSK]

Finally an innings which shows how a test match needs to be played !!

Now can we keep Sharmaji out of this team now and don’t bring in the bad habits of T-20 into tests.

2nd innings would be a huge task for bumrah as he only looked wicket taker, all others looked quite mediocre unless pitch starts to deteriorate and help them, it’s gonna be a hercluean task.

Whoever wins, All in all a great test match unfolding.

[Shumi_21]

What a brilliant batting display from KL & Yashasvi. Both have played out 57 overs together and we are essentially 218/0. Especially impressed with Jaiswal, playing his first match in Australia, he showed immense patience and skill. KL was amazing in both innings. He seems at his best when playing a supporting role to a more (mentally) accomplished batter, recent example being away against England in 2021.

The pitch was definitely easier to bat on compared to yesterday and it underscores the importance bowling performance put in by the pacers. Had Bumrah not blown away the Aussie top order, followed by supporting acts from Harshit & Siraj, the Australians would have had the best of batting conditions today. We always talk about batters playing a captain's innings, the 5-wicket haul from Bumrah was as much as a captain's innings as any of those centuries by Virat or Rohit.

[PreludeSH]

More than runs its the time you allow for Australian second innings. Looks interesting.
Also, its not generally the 4th innings. Its when and how many overs into the game it starts from that will tell how the pitch behaves

[searacer932]

India could win this test match provided they bat till lunch on Day-4. That should give them a lead in the range of 520.

Australian pitches are very good to bat on. You will need to break your back to get wickets!

Anything less than 400 runs lead, Australia can chase this down.

[AtheK]

Originally Posted by NomadSK

2nd innings would be a huge task for bumrah as he only looked wicket taker, all others looked quite mediocre unless pitch starts to deteriorate and help them, it’s gonna be a hercluean task.

Disagree whole heartedly, Harshit and Siraj bowled very very well and kept other end also tight, hence the wickets. While Bumrah was stand out, the other two also deserve a lot of praise.

No matter who wins, that team will have to put up a great fight and will be deserving winner, India does seem a bit ahead at this time.

[UD17]

Originally Posted by UD17

hope our batting line up could read the pitch better in second innings.

As i said yesterday, Such matches are easy on second inning and we need to secure a big lead to win this match. The Australian batting will also play this pitch better in 2nd inning.
Overall very interesting test so far.

[SoumenD]

I just hope Sharma Ji being his usual selfless man, doesn’t return and let this team capitalise. Rahul’s talent is no secret and now that he’s coming good I wouldn’t want to break this combination. I seriously hope both the openers get their well deserved century and we manage a solid 400+ lead.

Don’t remember when was the last time I watched whole day of test match live inspite of <4RPO. Watching bumrah and team go boom boom & then the batters do their thing was so amazing after ages.

Did anyone notice the win probability meter swing? From <20% India to now 75% in favour of India it’s been a treat. Only thing I want to see now is Koach getting back to his best form. Am sure he is itching to have a go

P.S: My Sunday is sorted. Match & snacks

[Emvi]

Looking at how the playing conditions have drastically changed on the second day, I think, in a way, it's good for India that they got bowled out for 150 in 50 overs yesterday. What this has done is allow India to make the most of the conducive bowling conditions by bundling out the Aussies for 104 in 52 overs. Had India batted the whole day yesterday and scored around 250 before getting all out, the Aussies would have had much better conditions to resume their first innings and would likely have posted a massive first innings score, which could have taken the match beyond India's reach. It's now India's match to lose, and the Aussies are left playing catch-up.