Highlights, 4th Test Day 2: Pant smashes ton, Jadeja hits fifty as India declare at 622/7
ndia put together their second highest team total on Australian soil, piling up 622/7 declared on the second day of the match.
India vs Australia, 4th Test Day 2: A gigantic total posted on the board by India! What an effort by their batting unit. Cheteshwar Pujara led the charge on Day 1 and formed crucial partnerships. This morning, he continued and forged substantial stands with Vihari and Pant as he got to 193. Was unlucky to miss out on a double century but he had done his job. If the Aussies thought that once Pujara departed the Indians would relent they couldn't have been more wrong. Ravindra Jadeja joined Rishabh Pant in the middle and forged a 200 plus stand and smashed the listless bowling attack of the hosts to all parts. The Indians reached 622/7 and look to really run away with this game. (India vs Australia 4th Test, Day 2 Scorecard) (Click Here to get updates in Hindi)
When and Where to watch India vs Australia, 4th Test, Day 2
India vs Australia, 4th Test Day 2: AUS 24/0 at Stumps vs IND (622/7d)
*Whether they can get a result in their favor or not remains to be seen but what they can do is to make a good response to this total that India have set them and there seem no demons which will stand in their way other than their own mistakes.
12.25 IST: A good end to the day for the Aussies after what has been a gruelling 168 overs out in the field for them. Marcus Harris and Usman Khawaja have managed to see through to Stumps without any damage and not much trouble. The ball is not doing much of the surface either for the spinners or for the fast bowlers, at least so far so Australia should feel confident and come out positive tomorrow.
12.24 IST: Kuldeep Yadav to Usman Khawaja, This one is well outside off and Usman Khawaja lets it go. Maiden over and THAT WILL BE STUMPS ON DAY 2. Australia have done well to end the day unscathed at 24/0 after 10 overs.
12.17 IST: Last over of the day. Yadav to bowl
12.15 IST: Indeed, Kohli has opted for spin from both ends. It's time for Kuldeep Yadav.
12.10 IST: Here comes the spinner! Ravindra Jadeja it is. A slip and short leg in place.
11.58 IST: FOUR! Gorgeous shot! This wicket is a batting beauty but you have to play good shots to get your runs. Outside off on a length this time, Harris times this wonderfully wide of a diving point for a boundary. AUS 15/0 in 3.5 overs
11.55 IST: Mohammed Shami to Usman Khawaja, Dropped! Pant has put Khawaja down! A regulation catch goes in and out of the gloves.
11.50 IST: Jasprit Bumrah to Marcus Harris, Outside off on a length, takes the outer half of the bat of Harris who was looking to push at this one and runs wide of point towards the fence. Rahane gives chase and manages to scramble it inside. 3 runs taken.
11.47 IST: FOUR! Good shot! That will give the batsman some confidence. Short of a length ball outside off, Harris is on the back foot and punches it away to deep point for a boundary. First runs for both Marcus and Australia. AUS 4/0 in 0.3 overs
11.45 IST: The Australian openers are out to bat now. They have to survive 10 overs tonight.
11.37 IST:
11.36 IST: The 204-run stand has finally been broken. And with that, INDIA HAVE DECLARED ON 622/7. A flatter one aimed at the off stump, Jadeja dances down the wicket and misses his lofted shot over long on. The off stump is disturbed and Jadeja has to go for a well played 81. Virat Kohli says the total is enough and calls his players back.
11.32 IST: Nathan Lyon to Ravindra Jadeja, OUT b Nathan Lyon. India have lost their seventh wicket.
11.29 IST: FOUR! 150 for Rishabh Pant! It comes up in style as he smashes the short of a length ball in front of square leg for a boundary. Removes his helmet and celebrates in style. IND 620/6 in 166.5 overs. The partnership is now 202!
11.28 IST: Rishabh Pant brings up his 150! India 616/6 in 166.3 overs vs Australia in Sydney
11.26 IST: FOUR! Fuller length ball outside off, Pant lifts it over cover and the ball runs away for a boundary. 149 now! Highest score for an Indian keeper in away Tests. IND 612/6 in 166.1 overs
*Drinks break. This has just been carnage from the Indians. They are driving home the point that they are here to dictate terms over the hapless Aussie bowlers. The hosts are just going through the motions and would be dreading facing a few overs at the fag end of the day after two long days in the field. That is, if India decide to declare.
11.26 IST: Most overs bowled without a maiden by an Aussie at home since six-ball overs were introduced (1979/80):
26.0: Mitchell Starc v Ind, 2019
20.0: Murray Bennett v WI, 1984
19.0: Mitchell Starc v SL, 2013
*There is no real reason why they must though, as they lead the series 2-1 now. Last hour of play on Day 2 coming up! Nathan Lyon to bowl now.
11.13 IST: FOUR! Make it 16! Slapped away in front of square this time. Short length ball at pace but Jadeja is seeing the ball like a hawk now. He rocks back and lifts it over the head of mid-wicket for a boundary. 4 fours in this over. IND 602/6 in 164 overs
11.12 IST: FOUR! Third boundary of this over. Stand and deliver stuff this. Fuller length ball and the southpaw smashes it right back over the head of the bowler for a boundary to the long on fence. 12 off this over so far. IND 598/6 in 163.5 overs
11.11 IST: FOUR! Pulled away nonchalantly. Short of a length and Ravindra Jadeja pulls it away hard and behind square on the leg side for a boundary. No stopping those. Went like a rocket. IND 594/6 in 163.4 overs
11.09 IST: FOUR! At the hips, whipped away by Jadeja to the vacant deep square leg fence. All too easy here. IND 590/6 in 163.1 overs
11.05 IST: FOUR! Hazlewood isn't impressed! Short of a length ball at the hips, Jadeja swivels and pulls it away fine on the leg side. Deep square leg comes around but Harris cannot stop it as he misfields it and allows it to go for a boundary. IND 585/6 in 162.4 overs
11.00 IST: FOUR! Shot! Full and Jadeja smashes it right back down the ground to the left of mid off for four runs. IND 578/6 in 161.4 overs
*Mitchell Starc to operate from the other end.
10.56 IST: FOUR! Classy shot! Full and outside off, driven beautifully through the covers all the way to fence. Timing and placement were magnificent. IND 568/6 in 160.5 overs
10.54 IST: Josh Hazlewood to Rishabh Pant, How is that not out? Hazlewood was pleading for an LBW. Good length ball on middle and shaping back in, Pant gets beaten and rapped on the pads.
*The third new ball is available and has immediately been taken and handed over to Josh Hazlewood.
10.51 IST: SIX! Smashed! Flighted one on off, Pant dances down the track and lifts it over the head of long on for a maximum. Lyon has a puzzled look on his face. The Aussies seem like they have had enough but the visitors are relentless. IND 563/6 in 160 overs
10.50 IST: FIFTY! Ravindra Jadeja scores his 10th Test half-century. India 557/6 against Australia in Sydney. Well played but in all honesty, it was served on a platter to him. The sword celebration comes out.
10.45 IST: FOUR! All kinds of mockery. Pant goes for the reverse hit and gets into position early. He lifts it fine on the off side beating backward point who has to go get the ball from the fence. The 550 comes up with the boundary. IND 552/6 in 158.2 overs
10.44 IST: Travis Head to Rishabh Pant, Flighted again to Pant, he comes down the ground but can't get under that one. Hits it on a bounce to long on. Single taken.
*5 more overs left for the third new ball!
10.34 IST: Travis Head to bowl now.
10.31 IST: FOUR! Pant continues his merrymaking. Flighted on middle and Pant just dictates terms here. Goes down on his knee and sweeps this one beautifully in the gap for a boundary to deep backward square leg. IND 533/6 in 153.3 overs
10.27 IST: FOUR! Flighted ball on middle and Rishabh Pant sweeps this away in front of square leg and all the way to the fence. The fielder in the deep has no chance. IND 526/6 in 152.4 overs
10.25 IST: 100-run partnership comes up between Pant and Jadeja.
10.23 IST: Usman Khawaja to Rishabh Pant, How on earth did he miss out on this one? A friendly full toss on middle, Pant swings his bat a bit early and it goes off the inner half to deepish mid on for a run.
*Khawaja to roll his arm now
10.17 IST: FOUR! HUNDRED! Rishabh Pant scores his 2nd Test century. India 509/6 against Australia in Sydney. Short and on middle, Pant pulls this away and the fielder in the deep seems to have missed it as he fails to move. Maybe a lapse of concentration. It doesn't matter though as Pant gets to his landmark. Got his previous one in England, this is in Australia. Well done.
10.11 IST: Nathan Lyon to Rishabh Pant, Much better! The ball is shorter this time and Pant rocks back to place it behind backward point. Three runs were taken, good running that!
10.10 IST: Nathan Lyon to Rishabh Pant, Lots of air given there, Pant comes dancing down the ground and wants to smash it over long on but the ball gets the inside half off the bat and onto his pads. Not the time to lose your head when you are so close to a landmark.
10.09 IST: Marnus Labuschagne to Ravindra Jadeja, Another quicker one on middle and leg, Jaddu pushes it towards deep mid-wicket for a couple of runs.
10.02 IST: Day 2, Session 3 set to go underway...The umpires and the players make their way back to the middle. How many overs more will they bat is the question. Jadeja to face the first ball from Nathan Lyon.
09.45 IST: Another grinding session for Australia. With very little to no help from the surface, their bowlers failed miserably as India continued their march towards a big first innings total. We will see you in 20 mins!
09.42 IST: That's Tea on Day 2. Pant 88*, Jadeja 25*, Lyon 3/144
09.38 IST: Mitchell Starc to Ravindra Jadeja, Good length on off, Jadeja inside edges his attempted backfoot punch and the ball rolls behind square leg for one.
09.32 IST: Mitchell Starc to Rishabh Pant, A back foot punch this time, through the gap at covers for three runs. 11 from the over, India are 19 short of 500.
09.30 IST: FOUR! Four leg byes! Runs continue to come for India. This time Starc serves a good length ball around leg, angling down, Pant fails to flick and it goes off his pads to fine leg for a boundary. IND 478/6 in 142.5 overs
09.29 IST: FOUR! Lovely shot! Moves to 81... A length ball outside off, Pant gets forward and unfurls a delightful square drive for a glorious boundary. IND 474/6 in 142.4 overs. Pant on 81
*Mitchell Starc runs in...
09.22 IST: SIX! Pat Cummins to Ravindra Jadeja! Jadeja sends it packing over cow corner! 50-run stand comes up! Cummins delivers it on a length around off, Ravindra senses the opportunity to free his arms and dismisses it into the stand. IND 469/6 in 141 overs
09.20 IST: Pat Cummins to Rishabh Pant, A mistimed shot! Width on offer outside off, Pant throws his bat at it and in the process loses his shape. Fails to middle his shot properly and it flies over point. The sweeper cover fielder runs across to his right to make a sliding stop and they take a couple.
09.16 IST: FOUR! Wow, what a shot! Loopy and full around middle and leg, Rishabh gets down on one knee and reverse sweeps it with authority through point for a boundary. IND 457/6 in 139.5 overs
*Marnus Labuschagne is into the attack with nothing happening for Australia.
09.10 IST: FOUR! What a shot! Cummins digs in a short delivery as per the plan, it's in line of the stumps, Jadeja picks it early, hops back to create room and whacks it over point. 450 comes up! IND 453/6 in 138.3 overs
09.06 IST: FOUR! Pant continues to chance his arms. Advances down the track and tries to play the inside-out shot over covers. But maybe the connection ain't proper and it flies over wide mid off for a boundary. IND 445/6 in 137.3 overs
*Short leg comes in now along with a leg gully. So, Jadeja will be expecting some short stuff now.
09.02 IST: Pat Cummins to Ravindra Jadeja, The line is straight and it's angling down, Jadeja tries working it on the leg side but misses and is hit on the thigh pad. Paine puts in an appeal from behind the wickets, seeing that Pat also turns to appeal but the umpire is not interested.
08.59 IST: Nathan Lyon to Rishabh Pant, Good running between the wicket! Loopy and full around off, Pant pushes it with gentle hands towards cover-point and pinches a run.
08.52 IST: Pat Cummins to Rishabh Pant, Edged but safe! Short length outside off and angling away from the left-hander, Pant goes for the cut off the back foot. Gets a thick edge that flies wide of backward point and down to third man for a single.
08.47 IST: Lyon to resume the proceedings against Pant.
*Drinks Break. The first hour of the second session has been done and the talking point will be the fact that Pujara has been undone by Lyon finally and he did not get his 200. Pant though did get to his half-century and it has been easy going for the Indians. The hosts are sitting back and waiting for mistakes from the batsmen. It is up to the visitors' batsmen how they want to go now, whether to play the ball around or go for the big shots. Also a question would be, how much will be enough? Let's wait and watch.
08.35 IST: Josh Hazlewood to Ravindra Jadeja, Back of a length ball around off, Jadeja shuffles across and tucks it in front of square leg. Straightaway calls for two and completes it quite easily.
08.37 IST: FIFTY! Rishabh Pant scores his 3rd Test half-century. India 426/6 against Australia in Sydney. Good innings this, curbing his natural instinct to go for the big shots and played around Pujara. Deserved this too. Well played. Coming to the ball, it was a length ball on middle, Pant stands tall and pushes it to down to long on. Mid-wicket makes a diving effort but cannot stop the ball.
08.32 IST: FOUR! Easy-peasy! Short and down the leg side, Rishabh stands back inside the crease and helps his pull shot down to fine leg for a boundary. Moves to 49! IND 424/6 in 131 overs
*Jadeja joins Pant in the middle. Expect some fireworks now.
08.26 IST: OUT! Lyon removes Pujara for 193. India 418/6 in 130 overs vs Australia in Sydney. No 200 for Pujara! A very soft dismissal to what has been a stellar knock. Lyon has his 3rd and he takes a simple catch of his own bowling to deny the Indian number 3 a double century.
08.22 IST: Josh Hazlewood to Cheteshwar Pujara, Seems like the ball got stuck in the wicket there. Hazlewood attempted the short ball and Pujara was early into his pull. He gets hit on the right shoulder when the ball comes through.
08.17 IST: Nathan Lyon to Rishabh Pant, BEATEN! Turn and bounce! This would make the Indian spinners happy. The ball is short and outside off. Rears up off the length and bounces a lot more than Pant expected it to, beating him as he tried to cut.
08.11 IST: FOUR! Beautiful shot! A length delivery straighter in line, Pant flicks it with nice timing through mid-wicket and it just races away. Head gives the chase but the ball wins the race. IND 416/5 in 126.3 overs
*Josh Hazlewood is back on.
08.08 IST: Nathan Lyon to Cheteshwar Pujara, Dropped! Pujara has been dropped on 192. The ball was well outside off and on a shorter length. Partnership 83 now.
08.04 IST: FOUR! Short and treated with disdain! Pujara rocks back and pulls this over mid-wicket for a boundary. Into the 190s now. IND 409/5 in 124.2 overs
08.03 IST: Nathan Lyon to Cheteshwar Pujara, Use of the feet again by Che. He walks forward and clips it in front of square leg for an easy run. Moves on to 187 now.
08.01 IST: Marnus Labuschagne to Cheteshwar Pujara, Flatter one on middle and leg, Che works it towards mid-wicket and after some confusion, the batsmen take a single. It brings up the 400 for the visitors. In a very strong position now.
07.59 IST: Marnus Labuschagne to Rishabh Pant, Falls short of Hazlewood! For some reason, Pant has lost his patience. He goes for the lofted shot over mid-on to this loopy one on middle. The ball isn't timed well and luckily for Pant and India, it does not carry to Josh in the deep at long on.
07.49 IST: Nathan Lyon to Cheteshwar Pujara, Slightly short outside off, Che rocks back and pushes it through point for an easy single.
07.47 IST: Marnus Labuschagne to Rishabh Pant, Shorter one on the pads, worked away along the ground to square leg for a single.
*Marnus Labuschagne to bowl from the other end.
07.40 IST: Welcome back, the players and umpires are making their way back to the field. Nathan Lyon to start proceedings. Rishabh Pant on strike.
07.30 IST: Meanwhile, Australia have announced their squad for the ODI series against India
07.05 IST: 27 overs, 86 runs and 1 wicket. It has been all too easy for the Indians in the opening session of Day 2. See you on the other side at 07.40 IST, for the post-lunch session . Till then stay tuned!
07.00 IST: That's Lunch! India 389/5 at Lunch against Australia in Sydney. Pujara 181*, Hazlewood 2/65
06.57 IST: FOUR! Starting on off, and spinning down leg. Pujara gets a faint tickle to this ball and it runs away fine on the leg side for a boundary. The fielder at short fine leg seems too tired and does not put in a dive. IND 386/5 in 115.5 overs
06.56 IST:
*Labuschagne is back into the attack.
06.50 IST: Nathan Lyon to Rishabh Pant, Flighted delivery, landing full around leg, Pant gets down on one knee and sweeps it down to fine leg. They appeal as the batsmen cross a couple of times. Given as runs. Just a reminder, Australia have no reviews left.
06.47 IST: Josh Hazlewood to Cheteshwar Pujara, Nearly deceives the batsman with a slower one. Fuller and outside off, Pujara is early into his shot but luckily for him his chip shot goes safely over covers for a couple of runs. The replays show that it was a knuckle delivery.
06.41 IST: Nathan Lyon to Cheteshwar Pujara, Poor line. Straying down the leg side, easy pickings for Pujara as he nudges it to fine leg for three runs. The stand now moves to 42 in no time.
06.37 IST: Josh Hazlewood to Cheteshwar Pujara, A rare lapse in concentration for Pujara. Hazlewood bowls it short outside off and manages to lure the batsman into a square cut. But there is some extra bounce as it beats the outside edge of Pujara's bat.
*Josh Hazlewood is back on.
06.32 IST: Mitchell Starc to Rishabh Pant, Sliding down the leg side, Pant flicks it through square leg for a run. An interesting spot from the on-air commentator. Pant's back leg moves back as his trigger movement rather than his front leg getting forward and that's the reason he becomes a prime contender for an lbw. Starc seems to have spotted that and hence working over it.
06.26 IST: FOUR! Four leg byes! Starc looks for a full yorker length ball but gets it all wrong. It goes down the leg side, Pant fails to flick but still it clips his pads and speeds past the keeper to the fine leg fence. IND 362/5 in 108.1 overs
06.25 IST: FOUR! Shot! He does play that stroke superbly. Only slightly short around by Lyon, Pujara picks it early. He immediately goes on the back foot, superb transfer of weight and then cuts it through cover-point for a boundary. IND 358/5 in 108 overs
06.20 IST: FOUR! Good cricket all around! First up a great inswinging yorker, approaching the batsman on the full at 150.6 kph. Pant does well to keep his eyes on the ball and pushes it back with a straight bat. It finds the sweet spot and hurries down the ground for a boundary, beating the effort of the mid on fielder. IND 352/5 in 106.4 overs
06.16 IST: Lyon to Pant, No run. Appeal for a caught behind, not given. Nathan Lyon is not convinced but his skipper is. Tim Paine takes the DRS. Here we go again...Not out! Nothing on the Ultra Edge or the Hot Spot!
06.11 IST: FOUR! Left-handers do look good when they play shots like those! The ball was full and outside off stump, Pant leans onto his front foot and drives it beautifully wide of mid off and for a boundary. No stopping those, and he holds the pose as well. Excellent shot! IND 344/5 in 104.4 overs
06.09 IST: FOUR! Pujara making it look all too easy. Around the wicket to Che, too full outside off. The ball is driven through the covers and it runs away from the mid off fielder due to superlative timing. IND 339/5 in 104.1 overs
*Drinks Break. The first hour of the morning session has been a sedate one but India will be really happy with the way things have panned out. Although the debatable decision against Hanuma Vihari will be the talking point at the moment. Australia clearly looking clueless with their plans as the touring team is slowly but steadily heading towards their desired first innings total.
06.00 IST: Rishabh Pant, the wicket-keeper batsman and also a part-time baby-sitter of Tim Paine's kids, is in next. Remember that pic?
05.56 IST: OUT! Lyon removes Vihari for 42. The third umpire spots a spike as the ball goes past the bat. He asks the on-field umpire to remain with his decision and Vihari has to walk off. India 329/5 in 101.5 overs vs Australia in Sydney
05.50 IST: FOUR! IND 328/4 in 101.2 overs. 150 up for Pujara
05.45 IST: FOUR! Thank you says Pujara. Short and wide outside off, a loosener to start off with. Che just rocks back and lofts it over the head of point. All the way to the fence. Moves to 146. IND 323/4 in 100.1 overs
*Change at both ends. Mitchell Starc replaces Josh Hazlewood at this end.
05.38 IST: Josh Hazlewood to Cheteshwar Pujara, Short of a length aimed at the rib cage, fended down into the ground on the leg side by Che on his toes.
05.29 IST:
*Hanuma Vihari 41 (73), Cheteshwar Pujara 138 (265), Josh Hazlewood 23 - 8 - 59 - 2
05.20 IST: Josh Hazlewood to Cheteshwar Pujara, Good fielding! Excellent dive from Nathan Lyon, considering he has done the bulk of the bowling yesterday. Saves a run for his team. Fuller length ball outside off, Pujara drives and finds the gap through the covers. The outfield seems a bit slow and the ball doesn't have the legs to reach the fence. Would have just trickled over if not for Lyon's effort.
05.15 IST: Josh Hazlewood to Hanuma Vihari, Fuller length outside off, Vihari gets this punchy-drive through the gap in the covers. Double taken.
05.10 IST: Josh Hazlewood to Hanuma Vihari, Another play and a miss! This one looks like its landed on the seam or on a crack and taken off. Vihari who was hanging back went nowhere with his footwork as he tried to push this through cover. Is beaten comprehensively on the outside this time.
05.02 IST: Josh Hazlewood to Hanuma Vihari, Play and a miss! Perfect line and length outside off, Vihari plays a loose shot outside off and the ball cuts in a bit beating him on the inside.
05.01 IST: The batsmen and the fielders are out in the middle. Josh Hazlewood to bowl first up and Cheteshwar Pujara to take strike. Let's go...
05.00 IST: Hello and welcome to our live blog of the Day 2 of the fourth Test between India and Australia at the SCG!
Brief Day 1, Report: Cheteshwar Pujara played the anchor's role yet again with his third masterful hundred of the series, helping India dominate Australia on the opening day of the fourth and final Test in Sydney. Leading 2-1 after the 137-run win in the Melbourne Test, India made a strong start by ending at 303/4 in 90 overs on Thursday. Opener Mayank Agarwal was another solid performer, continuing his good form with a 77-run knock. At stumps, Pujara (130) and Hanuma Vihari (39) were holding fort for the visiting side, which is in pursuit of a maiden Test series triumph on Australian soil. Virat Kohli's men have already secured the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with their unassailable lead. (Read Full Day 1 report)