STUMPS, day 2: India will be rather pleased with this reply, having lost just one wicket in reply to Australia's 451. Rahul couldn't convert his fifty but he did an important job by ensuring a strong opening stand. It gave Virat Kohli peace of mind and more time to let his shoulder heal.
Australia didn't do too badly, posting 451. They could have posted more, so credit to Jadeja for restricting them. Steve Smith remained unshakeable, staying unbeaten on 178. This pitch is still good for batting, so India will have to make best use of it on day three, before it starts to deteriorate further.
Join us tomorrow for the third day. Goodbye!
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UPDATES
STUMPS, day 2 - India 120/1 (Rahul 67, Vijay 42*, Pujara 10*) v Australia 451 (Smith 178*, Maxwell 104, Jadeja 5-124)
38.1 - India 119/1
An unsuccessful review by Australia. There was an appeal for a bat-pad catch to forward short leg. Vijay was given not out and Smith took a while before opting fir a review as Lyon wasn't so sure. No bat involved, Vijay's safe
Rahane has padded up so we can safely say Kohli won't come out to bat tonight. Unless something dramatic happens in the last couple of overs.
34 overs - 107 for 1 (Vijay 35, Pujara 4)
Pujara has been watchful, with a handful of overs to go to stumps. If another wicket falls, will Kohli come in? Might be a better idea to send in Rahane.
31.2 overs - WICKET - India 91 / 1 Rahul c Wade b Cummins 67
A fine bouncer from Cummins gets Rahul, who yet again scores a fifty but falls short of a century! Directed at the body, he tried to sway away but it brushed the glove. Nevertheless, fine innings by Rahul. He has ensured a solid platform for India.
22 overs - India 73/0 (Rahul 52, Vijay 21)
KL Rahul reaches his fifty with a sweep of Lyon. He has been the dominant man in this opening stand. His fourth fifty of the series. Just the kind of start India needed.
Kohli will be especially pleased as it will give him extra time to rest his shoulder. He isn't in his whites yet though. Cameras showed him in the dressing room with a white plaster over his shoulder.
17 overs - India 49/0
KL Rahul and M Vijay have looked comfortable. Australia have used four bowlers and the spinners are now bowling in tandem.
Something for the Aussies to ponder about:
TEA, Day 2 - India 20/0 v Australia 451
4 overs - India 4/0
While we wait for something to happen, check out Ravi Shastri announcing his arrival on Twitter in "grand style".
END OF INNINGS - Australia 451 Hazlewood run out (Jadeja) 0
You can't keep Sir Jadeja away from the game today! A slick run out to go with his five wickets. Smith pushed this towards short fine leg and wanted two, Rahul gathered and threw it to Jadeja at the bowler's end as Hazlewood was slow to take off, Jadeja back-flicked it to the stumps and replays showed the batsman was inches short
135.6 overs - Australia 449/9 Lyon c Nair b Jadeja 0
We've been expecting you, Mr Cummins
Five wickets for Jadeja! Lyon was defending forward, the ball went off the face of the bat straight to Nair at silly point. That was a sharp catch
134.3 overs - WICKET - Australia 446/8 O'Kefe c Vijay b Yadav 25
Full marks to O'Keefe for placement! But straight to fine leg! It was a short ball from Umesh, O'Keefe couldn't resist the pull, Vijay didn't have to move. The batsman couldn't have picked the fielder better. O'Keefe was starting to annoy the bowlers so India will be happy to see the back of him
133 overs - Australia 442/7 (Smith 171, O'Keefe 24)
Nothing much to shout home about for India post lunch. The two Steves - Smith and O'Keefe - are pushing on quite comfortably. One thing that would worry India is that Ashwin hasn't been able to assert control. He's going at 3.35 runs per over.
LUNCH, Day 2 - Australia 401/7 (Smith 153)
116 overs - WICKET - Australia 395 /7 Cummins b Jadeja 0
Make that two for the over! This is quite a ripper from the left-arm spinner. Landed on middle and leg, Cummins was playing straight, the ball spun, beat him completely and clipped the top of off stump. Jadeja one wicket away from a five-for
115.4 overs - WICKET - Australia 395/6 Wade c Saha b Jadeja 37
Another caught behind off Jadeja and this time it's Wade. He was playing forward, looking to push the ball to the off side, took the edge to Saha. The umpire knew it and so did Wade, who didn't review it
112 overs - Australia 381/5 (Smith 144, Wade 26)
Ashwin was brought on quite late this morning. Perhaps Rahane was encouraged by the sharp turn Jadeja was getting. Spin in tandem now. Australia getting closer to 400.
Virat Kohli continues to be off the field. He has a ligament tear in his shoulder. We will update you once word arrives.
101.2 overs - WICKET - Australia 331/5 Maxwell c Saha b Jadeja 104
Maxwell goes immediately after getting to his century! Jadeja strikes. Maxwell was looking to punch it through the off side, but it took the edge to the keeper Saha. There was a slight puff of dust too. So India will be relieved that they have broken this partnership of 191.
98.6 overs - Australia 328/4 (Maxwell 103, Smith 124)
With a cut past the slips, Maxwell brings up his first Test hundred! It was short and wide from Umesh and he slashed it away. Kisses the badge, takes a moment. For all the criticism thrown at Maxwell, and the questions about his Test credentials, this is quite a statement from him
That ball from Umesh was too tempting for Maxwell to let go. He just had to hit it. Let out a roar!
BALL 1, Day 2 : Maxwell's bat is split in half, would you believe it! And that too after playing a harmless forward defense. Quite a sight that. Umesh Yadav the bowler, bowling at just under 140 kmh. What is it with bats these days? They are like tree trunks but yet so fragile. We have seen a few instances of late of bats breaking so this isn't new. Should we go back to more durable bats from the 1990s and earlier?
Published - March 17, 2017 09:33 am IST
