India vs Australia First Test, Day 2: 5 Talking points

India have not been very generous hosts over the last couple of months. New Zealand, England and Bangladesh will attest to that fact. On day 1, India were not very nice hosts to Australia either. But on day 2, the Aussies showed that they can be equally rowdy visitors as well.

On India’s most damaging day on their home season yet, they were absolutely dominated by a far superior Australian side who showed the intensity of great Aussie sides of the past to put themselves in an absolutely commanding position at the end of the second day.

Yesterday, it was fair to say that the honours were shared between India and Australia. Today, the day belonged to the visitors.

Here are 5 talking points from the day’s play –

#5 KL Rahul sizzles before moment of madness

KL Rahul kept losing partners at the other end during India’s reply to Australia’s first innings of 260 but looked very composed and measured in his approach. He started his innings like he normally does, with a couple of good boundaries, most notably a cover drive to Mitchell Starc before settling down and choosing his shots more wisely.

As he lost Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara and Virat Kohli at the other end, he knew he must see India to the lunch session. Along with Ajinkya Rahane, he managed to do just that.

After the break, he returned a changed man as he looked to take the attack to the Aussies. He was slashing hard at deliveries and living dangerously.

When Steve O’ Keefe flighted a dolly on his off stump, he danced down, and without actually getting to the pitch of the ball, hoisted the ball to deep extra cover where David Warner was stationed to take a comfortable catch.

To make matters worse, it appeared that he might have injured himself in the process.

#4 Steve O’ Keefe arrives on the international stage

Australia returned from the lunch break and knew that they had to pick up wickets. The sight of Steve O’ Keefe with the ball did not please a number of experts in the commentary box, who believed that the team’s best spinner, Nathan Lyon should have instead begun proceedings.

A change of ends would change O’ Keefe’s fortunes. First was KL Rahul, who absolutely threw his wicket away. That was the shot in the arm that O’ Keefe needed as he went on to torment the Indian batsman.

He snared the wickets of Rahul, Rahane and Wriddhiman Saha in one over. He added the wickets of Ravindra Jadeja, Jayant Yadav and Umesh Yadav to take his first career 5-wicket haul and end with figures of 6/35.

#3 Virat Kohli doesn’t handle DRS well

Frustration had clearly taken over the Indians when the reality set in that they must put in an incredible batting performance to come close to winning the match. This was after the Australians had abated the early threat and scored runs effectively thereafter.

By the 30^th over, the visitors were going along nicely and the lead was above 250. India seemed to have no luck whatsoever and a number of changes in bowling yielded no reward.

In a period of 8 balls, India would absolutely waste both their DRS reviews.

First came Mitchell Marsh. As he attempted to sweep the ball, he got no contact and the ball crashed into the pads. On first sight, it looks like a terrible appeal as it definitely looked to be going down leg. The replays only confirmed that fact.

Second, it was Steven Smith’s turn. Off the same bowler, Jayant Yadav, Smith attempted to play a similar shot like his compatriot and had a similar result. Yadav looked utterly unconvinced of the review, but Kohli went for it anyway. Same result.

It is certainly one of the aspects of the game that Kohli could learn from MS Dhoni, the latter being quite deadly with his referrals.

#2 India absolutely sloppy in the field

The Indian team under Virat Kohli have shown incredible athleticism in the field over the last couple of months. The athleticism, coupled with the intensity of the skipper has led to the team being absolutely deadly in the field.

Australia were unbelievable while fielding in the first innings, taking a number of stunning catches. On a pitch that is turning square, India would have to take their catches as well.

On day 2, India would end up dropping 4 catches. Murali Vijay and Abhinav Mukund would be the culprits on two occasions each.

While Matt Renshaw was dropped once, skipper Steven Smith was dropped an inexcusable three times. He would go on to punish India.

#1 Steven Smith shows the way

Steven Smith has a point to prove in India. Not only does he come to India leading a side that is considered as heavy underdogs due to their recent form in the sub-continent, but as the world’s number one batsman according to the ICC rankings, he needs to show Kohli that he deserves the number one spot.

On day 2, he did exactly that. He came out to bat and was in an extremely aggressive mood as he was slashing hard at the ball and playing the sweep shot regularly.

That would be the tone of his innings as he would go on to score 59 off 117 deliveries with 7 boundaries. While he would be given three lives, he made sure he was there at the end of the day. With him at the crease and 6 wickets to spare, Australia are in a commanding position with a 298-run lead.