AUS vs IND Day 2 Review
AUS vs IND Day 2 Review, AUS vs IND Day 2 Match Highlights, WTC 2023 Final Day 2 Highlights, AUS vs IND Day 2 Match Updates, Australia vs India vs Match Updates, IND vs AUS Day 2 Match Details, AUS vs IND Day Match Scorecard.
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Australia motored at a rapid pace on day 1. They finished supremely strong with the scoreboard reading 327-3 at the end of day 1. Indian bowlers looked listless and lacked penetration. The fielders seemed devoid of energy. It was expected that Australia would cruise past 500 and it will take something special from India to stage a comeback.
We look at the defining moments of day 2:
#1 Steve Smith scored yet another century
There is something about Steve Smith in the big games. He almost always turns up and makes his presence felt. Smith smashed yet another century in the very first over of the day. It wasn’t a fluent knock but Smith fought his way through. He played and missed on numerous occasions but hung in there gamely to take Australia to pole position.
#2 Head sizzled but exposed
Travis Head has scored faster than anybody in the current WTC cycle. He has been an impact player in the 2.0 version. Head counterpunched brilliantly on the opening day to stun the Indians. The Indian bowling lineup came up with a short ball ploy but couldn’t land it effectively against Head. On the second morning when runs flowed thick and fast, Indian seamers brought back the short ball to trouble Head thereby exposing his frailties against the rising ball.
#3 A comeback of sorts
Australia scored runs at a brisk pace in the first session of the second day. They were 361-3 when Mohammad Siraj dismissed Head with a short ball directed at hip height. Mohammad Shami then dismissed Cameroon Green with one that held its line. The most crucial blow though came from Shardul Thakur when he bowled Smith with an innocuous delivery. Axar Patel fielded as a substitute then ran out Mitchell Starc with the score reading 422-7 at lunch.
#4 Australian tail wagged to add crucial runs
Alex Carey smashed a quickfire 48 in the company of Pat Cummins to take the total past 450. Once he was dismissed, the end came abruptly for Australia as they wrapped up for 469. The total was a mighty one but in the context of how Australia was going it felt as if India won a moral battle.
#5 The openers start positively but the joy was short-lived
Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill started off in top fashion. Both the openers played delectable strokes as they scored at a run-a-ball in the first 5 overs. But a Cummins in dipper brought out the downfall of Sharma. Gill and Cheteshwar Pujara made a massive error in judgement as they found their off-poles uprooted. Virat Kohli could do little to a peach from Starc as India lost their top order with just 70 odd runs on the board.
#6 The tough ask for the lower middle order
It has been India’s biggest strength in this WTC cycle. The likes of Shreyas Iyer, Rishabh Pant, and Ravindra Jadeja have more often than not rescued India from tough situations. Jadeja in the company of Ajinkya Rahane started resurrecting the Indian innings. He scored freely but lost his wicket against the run of play right before stumps. Srikar Bharat then played out a nervy couple of overs to see India through at 151-5.
#7 The day’s verdict
India is 318 runs behind Australia and has just 5 wickets in hand. They have an uphill task to get as close to the Australian total. Their first priority will be to negate the follow-on. They don’t have resources who could help them in this rearguard but they will hope to bring back the memories of Gabba. How far can India stretch itself on day 3 will decide how long the final will last. The ball is well and truly in Australia’s court at the end of day 2!
