India and Australia are going toe to toe in the ongoing Test series. After dominating the first two days, India lost the match in Adelaide after a horrendous batting collapse.
But the team management made some important changes going into the second test. Rishabh Pant was brought into the team to add batting depth in place of Saha. The young wicket keeper made crucial contributions from behind the stumps on Day 1.
He was constantly chattering with the bowlers and plotted the wicket of Matthew Wade. The left handed batsman was in full flow against Indian bowlers in the initial overs. But Ashwin managed to outfox him courtesy of inputs from Pant.
Wade swept Ashwin to a boundary during the 13 th over. But Pant has Ashwin to keep the line of the ball within the stumps in order to induce a false shot off the batsman.
“Andar hi rakhna, ye maarega,” Pant’s comments were captured in the stump mic.
Ashwin flighted the next delivery and put Wade little off. Wade was already outside the crease and tried to fetch the ball. He looped the ball towards mid on and Ravindra Jadeja took a great catch running backwards.
Here is the video
Rishabh Pant 🔥
He was saying from behind, "Andar hi rakhna, ye maarega" & it did happen next ball.#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/zSNEjyxVa3— Akshaj Singh 🇮🇳 (@akshajranu22) December 26, 2020
India stamped their authority on second test on Day 1. The bowlers were on mark as they rattled Australian batters throughout the day. Marnus Labuschagne once again impressed with the bat but could not convert his start.
On the other hand, Mohammad Siraj was terrific in his debut match. He was aggressive and got two key wickets during the innings. Jasprit Bumrah was the pick of the bowlers along with Ravichandran Ashwin.
Bumrah was brilliant in the opening spell dismissing Burns. He also came back and took the wicket of Travis Head to break an important partnership for Australia. Ashwin was once again brilliant with his spin as he took wickets of Wade, Smith and Paine.
India lost the crucial wicket of Mayank Agarwal inside the first over. But Pujara and young Shubman Gill ensured that India stayed on top at stumps. India trail by only 159 runs and have 9 wickets in hand.
The onus is on Indian batters to ensure the team has the advantage on Day 2. They have to bat out Australia out of this test match.
