Brisbane: After losing a close first test at Adelaide, India would look to dominate Australia in second test under the leadership of MS Dhoni from the first day itself.
With these two batsmen, Dhoni and Ashwin yet to bat tomorrow, it would be interesting to see what total India targets. Or will the lower order collapse again?
Steven Smith's first day as a captain didn't went according to the plans. With the unbeaten partnership of 50, Rahane and Rohit would look to start Day 2 with the same positive mindset they had today.
Rohit played cautiously not like first test where he threw his wicket playing an irresponsible shot.
Hazlewood's strikes helped Australia claw their way back. However, Vijay teamed up with Rahane to recover any ground claimed by Australia. India's position was further fortified with Rahane overcoming a streaky start to raise his 6th Test fifty.
Batting first on the green and pacy track, it was a good toss to win by Dhoni. Vijay assaulted the Aussie bowlers to become the 7th Indian opener to score century in Australia. Early on, Dhawan threw his wicket after getting to a good start.
India became only the second visiting side to score 300+ runs on the first day at this venue.
That was the session that solely dominated by Indian batsmen. 160 runs scored in 31 overs with the loss of one wicket at the run rate of 5.16 runs per over much more than the total of the first two sessions.
STUMPS DAY 1
India 311/4 after 83 overs
Rahane 75 (122), Rohit 26 (34)
Johnson didn't had a desired start with the new ball. He was smashed by Rahane for 10 runs including two boundaries. Hazlewood joins him from other end in 82nd over but he was in some discomfort and left the field after two deliveries. Shane Watson continued his over. Johnson bowling the last over of the day conceded three runs to end the Day 1 with a partnership of 50 runs by the two batsmen.
Mitchell Johnson brought into the attack straightaway with two slips in place for Rahane.
Second new ball has been taken
India 298/4 after 80 overs
Rahane 63 (113), Rohit 25 (25)
Lyon's bowling figures has been spoiled by Rohit Sharma with the first SIX of the Indian innings followed by a boundary. He was replaced by David Warner who was smashed for a boundary as well in the very first ball. Some good and impressive drives by Rahane shows his class.
The flood lights have been switched on here at Gabba.
Update: Vijay's dismissal was actually caught behind. He got a nick onto that and was snaffled by Haddin. That's 4th catch by him in the innings.
India 266/4 after 75 overs
Rahane 54 (98), Rohit 3 (9)
Murali Vijay played his part before getting stumped, Rahane is doing good and now Rohit Sharma needs to fire as well in order to lead India to a strong total at the end of the day. Wicket of Vijay in the last hour of the game, that's what the Australians wanted. Indians are pegged back a bit after losing him.
Rohit Sharma is the next batsman in for India.
He leaves the ground with a standing ovation from the crowd and Australia finally breaks the stand.
India 261/4
Murali Vijay c Haddin b Lyon 144
OUT! Vijay is caught behind! That's not a good choice of shot to play. He was way down and Haddin gets an edge. Another catch for Haddin, 4th in this innings. Haddin whipped off the bails as well but it was catch taken earlier than stumping.
Another milestone for batsmen in four balls. Now Rahane gets his 6th test half century pulling 3 runs out of Watson's short and wide delivery.
India 255/3 after 70 overs
Vijay 143 (206), Rahane 47 (84)
Nathan Lyon had been expensive in 66th over of the day conceding 13 runs including 3 boundaries which also brings up the 100 run partnership between Vijay and Rahane. Though nothing changed after he was replaced by Hazlewood and Vijay reaches another milestone of 2000 test runs down the ground in just 29 matches.
India 224/3 after 65 overs
Vijay 127 (197), Rahane 32 (63)
Rahane gets in the show as well, playing Lyon and Starc for boundaries. Both the batsmen have gained pace after the tea break. So far it has been a good session for India. Singles are coming and a boundary in every over in last few overs, India needs to continue the same show as an hour time or above game is remaining.
India 202/3 after 60 overs
Vijay 122 (192), Rahane 15 (38)
Runs have started flowing for India. Murali Vijay after a long effort finally gets his 5th test century after hitting couple of boundaries each off Shane Watson and Mitchell Starc. He also becomes the 7th Indian opener to score a century in Australia. He was dropped yet again by Shaun Marsh, this time at short covers. Vijay hit that hard and Marsh could just manage to get his one hand touched.
Vijay is again into the nervous 90s...just 8 short of his century.
India 171/3 after 55 overs
Vijay 92 (171), Rahane 14 (29)
Rahane faced a fiery bouncer right after the tea break. Rahane jumps and the ball hit the handle of the bat. Luckily it landed in no mans land. While Murali Vijay started aggresively hitting two back to back boundaries off Hazlewood to enter the 90s. Hazlewood was struggling with a cramp after he was slipped during the followthrough but fit enought to bowl after having some water in this scorching heat.
The players are out in the middle. Mitch Johnson will start the proceedings and Rahane takes the strike.
The third session will be underway in moments. India would look to end the day with the partnership of Vijay and Rahane. They are already on the backfoot and one more wicket might push them much back despite having a good start.
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If India had agreed on the use of DRS they might have Pujara batting who once again had an unfortunate dismissal. Kohli looked good for the time he was at the crease but he gifted his wicket away after playing a loose shot.
It was an evenly matched session. After losing the morning session, Australia came back picking up crucial wickets of Kohli and Pujara. In 27 overs bowled, India scored just 62 runs and lost 2 wickets. Debutant Josh Hazlewood has been pitching the ball on right areas and making it tough for the batsman.
TEA BREAK
India 151/3 after 52 overs
Vijay 73 (157), Rahane 13 (25)
Australian bowlers have started troubling Indian batsmen after two wickets in this session. Vijay was almost out when Hazlewood's good length delivery just went inches above the stumps after he tried to leave. He survived second when Vijay got an edge off Shane Watson to second slip but the ball fell short. Both batsmen are living dangerously out there. Vijay might be thinking that he is lucky not to lose his wicket just before the tea break.
India 137/3 after 45 overs
Vijay 72 (136), Rahane 0 (4)
Man in form Virat Kohli went cheaply at the score of 19 to Hazlewood trying to cut a short delivery to third man. Rahane the new man in survived a couple of chances soon after his arrival at the middle. On the other end Vijay is trying to push Indian innings, playing both Starc and Lyon for boundaries and looking for far more than that. He is inching slowly towards the big milestone of 100. Bit of turn for Nathan Lyon as well but he is still looking for his first wicket. It is very hot out there in the centre. Australian players had cold towels around them during the drinks break.
Virat Kohli c Haddin b Hazlewood 19
OUT! Kohli gone! Short pitch, he tried to cut and gets the edge. Haddin takes the third catch and Hazlewood gets his second on debut.
India 121/2 after 40 overs
Vijay 62 (116), Kohli 13 (21)
Vijay and Kohli have now the responsibility to share another good partnership to take India to a massive total at the end of the day. Mitchell Starc has shown some good pace in 39th over with a couple of short pitch deliveries that surprised Kohli who is in every mood to be aggressive.
India 105/2 after 35 overs
Vijay 57 (101), Kohli 2 (6)
Slow start for India after the lunch. Runs have been dried up. Vijay is not getting the chance to score and Pujara's unfortunate dismissal had made him more defensive. Only 16 runs have been scored in last 10 overs. India's run rate has come down under 3 which was once hovering around 4 runs per over.
Virat Kohli comes in next
India 100/2
Cheteshwar Pujara c Haddin b Hazlewood 18
OUT! Bouncer does the trick and Hazlewood gets his first test wicket. That has hit the helmet and went to keeper but umpire raises his finger. Another unfortunate dimissal for Pujara. Poor decision by the umpire Ian Gould.
Cricket Australia have tweeted that Mitchell Marsh has a sore right hamstring and is being assessed.
India 99/1 after 30 overs
Vijay 54 (92), Pujara 17 (49)
Murali Vijay completes his 3rd half century in a row after smashing Starc through the covers for four. Perfectly timed that was. He has now become Mr. Dependable for India's top order. Pujara on the other end is trying to be too defensive. Mitchell Marsh looked in some discomfort after bowling the last delivery of the 27th over and went off the field.
Vijay has the strike and Johnson to resume bowling
Players are back on the ground and the two batsmen are in the middle.
Second session is about to get underway
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Vijay was dropped by Shaun Marsh soon after Dhawan got out and Pujara has had a couple of iffy moments. But they have gotten through to lunch unbeaten. Australia would be a bit disappointed with their morning's effort. They didn't bowl enough in the areas to make the batsmen play and only Johnson looked threatening.
It was a great start for India after taking a brave decision to bat first in the green and pacy pitch of Gabba. The foundation was once again set by Vijay and along with Dhawan. They picked on the right ball to get their runs and made first half century stand in any away test since 2011.
LUNCH BREAK
India 89/1 after 25 overs
Vijay 46 (75), Pujara 15 (36)
Hazlewood and Lyon kept it tight for the batsmen to score boundaries but having no trouble for singles and doubles. Vijay is off to another flying start after first test with four short of his half century at the lunch break. Mithcell Marsh bowling the last over of the first session conceded just two runs to Pujara.
India 77/1 after 20 overs
Vijay 41 (60), Pujara 8 (21)
Despite losing his partner Dhawan early, Murali Vijay is going strong playing defensively and cautiously. He is judging the ball very well and is not playing irresponsible shots. The new man in Pujara survived a catch off Mitchell Marsh after snicko confirmed that there was a thin outside edge. Nathan Lyon's good incoming delivery to Pujara gets the bounce and went for four missing both the batsman and keeper.
India 62/1 after 15 overs
Vijay 38 (49), Pujara 0 (2)
India have done extremely well to get off with a half century opening stand with relatively no trouble at all. Having said all that, both Vijay and Dhawan have looked quite good. Vijay had another good start after smashing number of boundaries but was dropped by Shaun Marsh at slips. A length delivery on the pads to Dhawan for four completes the 50-run stand for the openers, the first in an away test since 2011. But his poor form continues as he failed to give his innings another good start and out for another 20s to Mitchell Marsh who gets his first test wicket.
Cheteshwar Pujara is in at no. 3
India 56/1
Shikhar Dhawan c Haddin b Marsh 24
OUT! There was a small nick and Haddin takes the catch. First wicket for Mitchell Marsh and another faliure for Dhawan. That was short and wide, he tried to play big but gets an edge.
India 40/0 after 10 overs
Vijay 25 (34), Dhawan 15 (26)
Both the Indian batsmen started cautiously this morning. Singles are easy to get while and due to larger boundaries, the ball stops inside the boundary line. Vijay is looking in good touch after smashing Starc for boundary past gully. Hazlewood playing first test match, is quite impressive so far keeping the ball away but close to off-stump.
India 14/0 after 5 overs
Vijay 13 (22), Dhawan 1(8)
Debutant Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Johnson started the Australian attack on Indian batsmen. Johnson is getting good pace and bounce and is keeping the line away from the batsmen. An unexpected short delivery by him left Vijay clueless though he picked Johnson for a beautiful cover drive and flick for a couple of boundaries. Hazlewood's perfect line and length outside the off troubled Dhawan and also missed a couple of outside edges.
Vijay takes the guard Mitchell Johnson has the ball.
Indian openers Shikhar Dhawan and Murali Vijay are walking in upto the middle. Steven Smith is leading his side to the ground for the first time.
Its a treat for fast bowlers and Johnson is going to have the maximum use of it. Indian openers will have to work today. They have to get a good opening stand and later middle order has to take up.
That's a brave decision by Indian skipper Dhoni to bat first on a green top. If it does not work, then he will be criticized for that decision.
Australia playing XI: David Warner, Chris Rogers, Shane Watson, Steven Smith (capt), Shaun Marsh, Mitchell Marsh, Brad Haddin (wk), Mitchell Johnson, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood.
India playing XI: Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli, Ajinkya Rahane, Rohit Sharma, MS Dhoni(w/c), Ravichandran Ashwin, Ishant Sharma, Umesh Yadav, Varun Aaron
India have won the toss and will bat first. Three changes made in Indian side as well. Dhoni is in for Saha, Ashwin for Karn Sharma and Umesh Yadav for Mohammad Shami.
Australia have a superb record at the Gabba as they have lost only eight times in the 56 matches they have played at this venue so far.
Apart from this Peter Siddle and Ryan Harris makes way for debutant Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc.
Australians have lost their skipper Michael Clarke due to hamstring injury and Shaun Marsh is set to replace him. Steven Smith has been given the resposibility to lead the side in remaining tests.
Gabba curators assued of a green pitch which will be very helpful for the fast bowlers so any change in pace department is unlikely and Shami, Aaron and Ishant would be in playing XI.
For India, the regular skipper MS Dhoni is back in the side which means Wriddhiman Saha is sure to sit out. Kohli's gamble of playing Karn Sharma instead of Ashwin and Jadeja doesn't worked out properly. After Dhoni's arrival he might get replaced by Ashwin or Jadeja.
First test was gem of a test match. India was on the verge of winning but late blows from Nathan Lyon who took career best 12 wicket haul snatched the game away from the visitors. Stand-in skipper Virat Kohli led Indian fightback and scored second century of the match despite falling short of partners on other end.
