India might have wanted to forget the bad memoirs of Pune test, but the same has resurfaced once again in the second test in Bangalore on Day 1. This time, it was not Steve O’Keefe, but his bowling partner Nathan Lyon – who did the major carnage on the field. Lyon’s precision with the ball revived the hope of the Aussies to take an unassailable 2-0 lead by winning the 2nd test.
Nathan Lyon claims eight wickets as Australia dismiss India for 189
What a fantastic spell (22.2-4-50-8) it was from the experienced Aussie off-spinner. Lyon’s off-spin deliveries completely demolished India’s tall batting order in a shocking way. Indians completely surrendered themselves without showing any intent to even stick to the wicket. The Aussie fast bowlers Mitchell Starc and Hazlewood bowled wonderfully too along with Lyon to keep the Indian batsmen under pressure throughout first innings.
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Winning the toss, Kohli decided to bat first but Indian batsmen completely misread the first few hours’ play. Six of the first 12 overs of the Indian first innings went for maidens and then the introduction of Lyon went in full favor of the Aussies. Lyon was targeting the “outside the off stump” region to trouble Indian batsmen more.
Eventually, India were bundled out for just 189 runs on the scoreboard with an hour of first day’s play remaining. Apart from Lokesh Rahul’s determined knock of 90 from 205 balls with 9 hit to the fence, other batsmen did not even bother to support him and take India’s scoreboard further.
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All big guns including the likes of Kohli (12), Rahane (17) and Pujara (17) amongst others failed miserably today. If KL Rahul didn’t play such a valuable knock today then the hosts could have got bowled out below the three-figure mark. Pujara’s irresponsible shot just at the time of the lunch hours made the task simpler for the visitors as India’s score came down to 72 for 2 with Mukund already returned back to pavilion after scoring a duck.
Even Virat Kohli threw his wickets away. Lyon struck him LBW though he was well-set to play a big knock today. After much hullaballoo, Karun Nair was recalled back into the Indian team. But he could score just 26 and wasted the chance at this test. Nair misjudged reading a Steve O’Keefe’s turning delivery and eventually, Wade stumped him out without any trouble.
At the end of 71.2 overs, India could put only 189 runs on the board. Australia then came to bat and safely negotiated the Indian bowling for the rest of the day without losing any wicket. At stumps on Day 1, 2nd Test – Australia are playing at 40 for no loss with Warner (23*) and Renshaw (15*) at the crease.
Brief Scorecard:
India 189/10 (Lokesh Rahul 90, Nair 26; Lyon 8 for 50)
Australia 40/0 (Warner 23*)
Tags: 2nd Test, Australia, Bangalore, Bengaluru, India, M Chinnaswamy Stadium, Nathan Lyon, Preview, Steve Smith, Test Match, Virat Kohli
