[PPS]

Just about everyone criticized KL Rahul's place in the Squad when the team was selected & today he showed why the Team Management believes in his ability! He's a must in the XI based on his technique alone especially on Australian or SA pitches. Its unfortunate that now Jurel & Sarfaraz won't get much of a chance to play unless there are injuries. I hope better sense prevails & KL gets to bat in the top 3 on this tour now that Rohit Sharma has boarded the flight to Australia. Rohit Sharma's cute 20's & 30's won't win us any Tests! He should also look to grind out the Opposition just like how Jaiswal & KL did today. The likes of Pant can play their usual game once the ball is soft. After 17 wickets fell on Day 1, don't think anybody expected such a scoreline on Day 2.

[hothatchaway]

Great to see Ozzy noses being rubbed into the dirt. Not a great deal more to say about Jaiswal. Such an exciting batsman to light up test cricket. Unfortunate for Rahul to miss out on a hundred. He really deserved it. Showed such character and grit right from the first innings. His talent was never in doubt. Hope this defines the rest of his career.

Padikkal reminds me of Sadagopan Ramesh. Folks from the 90s will remember him. Great eye and touch especially on the off but zero footwork. He can capitalise here with the platform he's got.

[SoumenD]

Originally Posted by PPS

Just about everyone criticized KL Rahul's place in the Squad when the team was selected & today he showed why the Team Management believes in his ability!

Probably that’s why they are in selection committee and we are just fans of the game.

Aussie bowlers look frustrated to the core and clueless. Hope we bat the whole day and set a mammoth 500+ target. We still would have 2 more days to bowl them out.

[NPV]

Originally Posted by SoumenD

Aussie bowlers look frustrated to the core and clueless.

Exactly why moods, fortunes, morale, confidence, pressure and everything else that matters in a game can fluctuate in Test cricket, good to see the game from a session by session perspective to see these swings. We’ve done extremely well so far, just need to continue till tea or end of day today if possible.
After Jaiswal’s wicket, we’ve quickly lost Pant and Jurel in quick succession.

400+ will make it almost impossible for Australia to chase down successfully.

[NPV]

Kohli gets a wonderful century in quick time and India declared on 487/6, leaving Australia with a staggering target of 534 to win this game. Happy to finally see our batting come good! For a change, our bowlers have a lot of runs to defend and they just need to focus on getting 10 wickets. Go India, Go!

[AtheK]

Finally a century after ages, hope he gets few more in this series, but was struggling against lyon again. Jaiswal is absolutely amazing, hope he goes on to have a very long successful career.

Ball is misbehaving, Australia will have to play really well to take this game deep.

[UD17]

If India manage to take few wickets in these 30 minutes, then the match will well turn into India's favour.

Very well acceleration by Reddy and Kohli in last 10 overs.

[sunilch]

Originally Posted by NPV

Kohli gets a wonderful century in quick time and India declared on 487/6, leaving Australia with a staggering target of 534 to win this game. Happy to finally see our batting come good!

With 2 days, and a capable team that AUS is - it will be a good match to watch. AUS can do it with patience (if they play with patience, that is) and drag the two days, if desired.

Time for our Bowlers to spin the magic again.

Perhaps we should have let Nitish to finish his 50 as well today and then declare? That guy was aggressive from his start.

[Revvatron]

Originally Posted by SoumenD

Probably that’s why they are in selection committee and we are just fans of the game.

We have seen this before, KL/Siraj will have one good match and then disappear. Let's hold off giving credit to management until we see them actually be consistent this time.

[UD17]

Well good news, that Bumrah has struck again in first over. Very interesting stage indeed.

[sunilch]

Why has Cummins decided to come at the top in 2nd innings? Anyone able to decipher his line of thought here?

[Fx14]

Originally Posted by sunilch

Why has Cummins decided to come at the top in 2nd innings? Anyone able to decipher his line of thought here?

Don't bother. Siraj heard you and sent him back.

[NPV]

Australia 2 down, probably going to be 3 down now! Marnus Labuschagne reviewed but given out!
12/3, just 7 more Aussie wickets for a thumping Indian test match victory.

Originally Posted by sunilch

Why has Cummins decided to come at the top in 2nd innings? Anyone able to deciphert his line of thought here?

Simple, he is leading from the front by setting an example - they decided to send in a night watchman and he took up that role himself.

Of course the whole idea behind sending in a night watchman is a questionable tactic but that’s the team's think tank making those decisions.

[PreludeSH]

Not sure night watchman was right when innings had just started and even good batsmen were finding it difficult.
Kohli looks like he plays more for his wife than India

[PPS]

Originally Posted by hothatchaway

Padikkal reminds me of Sadagopan Ramesh. Folks from the 90s will remember him.

Paddikkal has more or rather better footwork than S Ramesh! Ramesh was all hands & his feet used to be rooted to the crease!

Originally Posted by NPV

Exactly why moods, fortunes, morale, confidence, pressure and everything else that matters in a game can fluctuate in Test cricket,

India can't play spin at home & Australia can't play pace at home! What a time to be in.