Khawaja, Handscomb lead Australia fight in 2nd India Test
Gritty half-centuries from Usman Khawaja and Peter Handscomb guided Australia to a fighting 263 all out against inspired Indian bowlers on Friday's opening day of the second Test.
Pat Cummins Sport News
Australia score modest 263 underpinned by Khawaja, Handscomb
NEW DELHI :Usman Khawaja struck an enterprising 81 and Peter Handscomb made an unbeaten 72 as Australia laboured to a modest 263 all out on the opening day of the second test against India in New Delhi on Friday.
Watch: India vs Australia - Usman Khawaja In Utter Disbelief As KL Rahul Bags One-Handed Stunner
KL Rahul pulled off a stunning catch to dismiss Usman Khawaja on Day 1 of the second Test encounter between India and Australia in New Delhi on Friday. Khawaja looked completely at ease after finishing his half century and it took a special effort on the field to finally end his stay. The Australia opener went for an adventurous reverse sweep, but KL Rahul pulled off a full-stretched dive to complete the one-handed catch. Khawaja was at the crease for 125 deliveries and the wicket proved crucial for India as it allowed both Ashwin and Jadeja to target the tailenders on a pitch that assisted the spinners a bit.
India vs Australia: Ravindra Jadeja Pips Kapil Dev To Claim Massive Test Milestone
Ravindra Jadeja added another feather to his already illustrious career by becoming the fastest Indian cricketer to score 2500 runs and take 250 wickets in Tests. The feat was achieved during Day 1 of the Test encounter between India and Australia when KL Rahul pulled off a blinder to dismiss the in-form Usman Khawaja. Jadeja was able to reach the milestone in his 62nd Test match – three matches ahead of India legend Kapil Dev who did it in 65 games. Overall, Jadeja claimed the second spot just behind legendary England all-rounder Ian Botham who achieved this impressive feat in just 55 matches.
Watch: KL Rahul's stunning catch brings up 250th Test wicket for Ravindra Jadeja
Ravindra Jadeja.LIVE UPDATES: 2nd Test, Day 1Batting on 81, Australia's top scorer of the day Khawaja went for a revere sweep against a delivery from Jadeja that was tossed up just outside the off-stump. The Australian left-hander hoped to beat the point fielder KL Rahul but he dived full length to his right to pull off a one-handed blinder.
Watch: Ravichandran Ashwin Dismisses Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith Within Three Balls
It was the Ravichandran Ashwin show on Day 1 of the second Test match between India and Australia in New Delhi on Friday as the veteran spinner took the wickets of Steve Smith and Marnus Labuschagne in the span of just three deliveries. The Aussie duo looked set at the crease but two brilliant deliveries from Ashwin brought India back into the encounter. Labuschagne was the first to depart as he was trapped LBW by a delivery that did not spin and crashed straight into his pads. Three balls later, Smith was foxed by a spinning delivery as he ended up edging the ball straight to KS Bharat behind the stumps.
India vs Australia: Aussies go into Delhi Test with just one pacer, but Steve O'Keefe remains bullish the visitors can bounce back
LIVE SCORE: 2nd Test, Day 1Australia lost the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar series by an innings and 132 runs on a turning track, which prompted Cummins to go with just one quick and three spinners -- Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy and debutant Matthew Kuhnemann -- in the second Test at the Arun Jaitley Stadium on Friday.This is the first time in more than five years that Australia are playing three regular spinners, with the previous occasion being the2017 Test against Bangladesh in Chattogram, where the visitors went in with three tweakers -- Lyon, Ashton Agar and O'Keefe.
Watch: R Ashwin Comes Close To Running Out Marnus Labuschagne At Non-Striker's End
Ravichandran Ashwin, the man who made non-striker's run-out cool, again came close to doing the same in the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar series against Australia in New Delhi. With Marnus Labuschagne at the non-striker's end, Ashwin stopped short of delivering the ball in the 19th over of the innings on Day 1. While Ashwin completed his full action, he didn't deliver the ball to turn around and check the position of Labuschagne. The latter took his crease quickly after spotting Ashwin's action.