STUMPS - DAY 2

Aus 273-7 (104 ovs) vs India

India finish with a slight edge on the second day as Australia lost it's way after the good start provided by Cowan and Warner.

At stumps, Australia were 273 for seven in 104 overs.

Jadeja was the most successful bowler for the hosts as he claimed three for 56, while Ishant took two for 41.

In the post tea session, Australia scored 93 runs in 32 overs but more importantly lost four wickets.

Cowan top scored with 86, while Warner made 71 but both of them failed to carry on and post big hundreds. Steven Smith rescued the innings in the post tea session as he stroked his way to 58 to keep his team in with the chance of scoring a total around the 350-run mark.

Aus 244-6 (94) vs India

Ishant then crippled Australia with a double strike in his 18th over. He bowled Brad Haddin and Moises Henriques in the space of three deliveres to leave the visitors in a mess at 244 for six.

Haddin dragged a wide delivery back on to his stumps as he tried to play it on the off-side for 21 while Henriques was done in a full delivery that came in sharply, hit his pads and bowled him for a duck.

The ball is 93 overs old and Ishant is getting fair amount of reverse swing which is proving to be a handful for Australia's lower order as Peter Siddle somehow survives the last three balls of that over.

Aus 237-4 (90) vs India

Brad Haddin starts off with a bang, hitting the third ball he faced for a straight six down the ground as the bowler Ojha can watch the ball sail straight and high over his head.

Smith and Haddin batted with some purpose. Smith hit Ashwin through the point region for a four.

Jadeja replaced Ashwin but was hit for three boundaries in the first over of his new spell. Haddin hit the first ball through midwicket for four and two balls he got a thick edge for another boundary before smashing the fifth ball through midwicket.

After 90 overs were bowled in the day, Australia reached 237 for four with Smith on 45 from 101 balls and Haddin on 18 from 25 balls.

Aus 198-4 (78) vs Ind

Ishant starts the new over after the tea break. A huge appeal for LBW against steve Smith but umpire Kettleborough turns down the big appeal, nearly all the Indian fielders appealed for it. Close looks at the replays indicate that Smith (20) was lucky to survive that appeal as it looked dead in front with Ishant getting the ball to reverse and come in sharply.

Cowan was dropped on 85 by Pujara at silly point off Ashwin to get another lifeline. He was earlier dropped on 64 and 35 at first slip by Kohli.

The latest one was a regulation catch for the silly point but Pujara, who is struggling with a knee injury, failed to hold on.

Cowan's luck finally runs out as he is caught at first slip by Kohli off Ashwin, who gets his first wicket of the game. Kohli is finally relieved at completing the catch and he throws the ball high in the air before shouting some expletives to who knows who!

Cowan played a patient innings of 86 from 238 balls, having stayed at the wicket of nearly four hours.

Cowan and Smith put on 47 runs from  111 balls for the fourth wicket.

Aus 180-3 (72 overs) vs India

Ed Cowan survives another session as Australia reach 180 for three in 72 overs at the tea break on day two.

Cowan has batted sensibly and shown great patience to take his score to 76 from 218 balls with the help of eight fours. Steven Smith came out with a positive approach and has hit 19 from 38 balls with the help of two fours and a six.

Australia must be ruing wasting the good start by their openers as they lost three quick wickets in the post lunch session.

Ravindra Jadeja caused the damage after lunch as he claimed the wickets of David Warner (71) and Michael Clarke (0) off successive deliveries. Phil Hughes continued his poor run in the series as he was caught down the leg side off Pragyan Ojha for two.

Australia scored just 71 runs in 36 overs in the post tea session.

Aus 151-3 (60 overs) vs India

Hughes finally gets off the mark from the 20th ball he faced, his first runs off spin from 59 balls faced in the series, in the 56th over.

Ojha comes back for a new spell and he nearly strikes with a wicket. Cowan (64) gets a lifeline as he is put down by Kohli at first slip but in reality it was Dhoni's catch but the ball hit his pad and deflected to Kohli. Dhoni has struggled with the gloves in the last few Test matches.

But Ojha gets a wicket in his next over as Hughes is caught down the leg side by Dhoni for two. It continues the left-hander's poor series in Australia for a lowly tally of 27 runs in five innings at an average of 5.4 with a best of 19.

India on top with the three-wicket burst after lunch.

Aus 145-2 (55 overs) vs India

Hughes still to get off the mark, he has played 18 deliveries so far. Cowan continues to bat resolutely, but has slowed down considerably as his score reaches 62 from 167 balls.

Cowan broke the shackles in that over as he cut a short wide delivery from Ashwin through point for a four.
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Aus 139-2 (50 overs) vs India

Phil Hughes to face the hat-trick ball. Hughes safely negotiates the first ball safely on the leg side and it goes on the bounce to the fielder at leg slip.

Hughes has struggled to get runs in this series for a tally of just 25 runs in four innings.

Australia's No. 3 batsmen having been a rough time in this series, losing 0 for 5 in 40 balls.

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Aus 139-2 (49 overs) vs India

With two wickets falling in the last over, Cowan is ultra cautious against Ashwin, who completes another good maiden over.

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Aus 139-2 (48 overs) vs India

Jadeja finally provides the breakthrough for India as he strikes with the wicket of Warner. The left-hander chips down the track and looks to defend but gets an inside edge that goes on to his pads and is caught by Dhoni.

WICKET: Warner c Dhoni b Jadeja 71 (147b, 9x4)

Warner falls after a matured knock of 71, having stayed at the wicket for 206 minutes, hitting nine fours from 147 balls.

Warner and Cowan put on 139 runs for the opening wicket from 290 balls.

Michael Clarke walks out to bat at No. 3.

And oh God, he has fallen off the very first delivery. He steps down the track but Jadeja gets one to turn big beating Clarke and Dhoni completes an easy stumping.

WICKET: Clarke st Dhoni b Jadeja 0 (1b)

And Jadeja will be on a hat-trick at the start of his next over

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Aus 137-0 (47 overs) vs India

Australia have picked India's slow fielders quite well today. Once again they hit the ball straight to Ishant at mid-off and steal a quick single. How many times they have done this today!

Warner is then struck on the pads by Ashwin but umpire Kettleborough once again turns down the appeal and right as there was an inside edge before it hit the pads.

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Aus 136-0 (46 overs) vs India

For once Ashwin errs with his length as he gifts a full toss to Warner which is calmly flicked through midwicket for a four. The rest of the over is bang on the mark and Warner can only come forward and defend it.

Jadeja's next over doesn't produce drama as Cown gets just a single from it.

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Aus 130-0 (44 overs) vs India

Warner steers Jadeja fine on the off-side for a couple and a few balls later cuts a short ball behind point for another couple. He picks a single on the leg side off the fifth ball as Australia continue to milk the bowling.

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Aus 125-0 (43 overs) vs India

Warner drives it down to long-off for one to take his score to 60, his highest outside Australia. Cowan is then hurried into the shot as he gets his bat down in time to keep the quicker delivery out.

Cowan defends the rest of the over as Ashwin completes another tidy over.

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Aus 121-0 (41 overs) vs India

Ashwin bowls an unplayable delivery to Cowan who tries to defend off the front foot but the ball turns right past the face of the bat. A few deliveries have spun and bounce but India have not been consistent with their line to cause enough trouble.

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Aus 120-0 (40 overs) vs India

Cowan chips down the track to Jadeja and flicks him through midwicket for a four to bring up his fifty in style. He took 120 balls to complete his third fifty against India and break his run of poor scores in the series.

Australia have reached 120 in 40 overs for a run rate of exactly three.

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Aus 114-0 (39 overs) vs India

Ashwin bowls a maiden over to Warner who had resisted the urge to attack the bowlers so far. Australia wanted discipline in their dressing room and the two openers are showing some discipline out in the middle too.

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Aus 114-0 (38 overs) vs India

Jadeja to bowl from the pavilion end. Warner continues to bat defensively as he watchfully plays the first four balls before stepping down the track and hitting it past the bowler for a single.

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Aus 113-0 (37 overs) vs India

R Ashwin to resume proceedings after lunch. He has a huge appeal off the first ball of the session as Cowan is struck on the pads but the umpire turns down the ball indicating perhaps the ball was slipping down the leg side. A close shave for Cowan straightaway after lunch.

Cowan then flicks the fourth ball behind square on the leg side for two followed by a single and Warner ends the over with a single on the off-side.

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LUNCH - DAY 2

Aus 109-0 (36 overs) vs India

A superb batting display from both Warner and Cowan as they held forte bravely to keep the Indian bowlers at bay.

Warner played a patient knock of 54 from 107 balls, while Cowan made 43 from 112 balls as the two batsmen spent two and half hours at the wicket in that session extended to make up for time lost on day one.

The Indian bowling hardly made an impression except for two close chances late in the session. Dhoni also surprised many by going on the defensive very early.

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LUNCH - DAY 2

Aus 109-0 (36 overs) vs India

Warner showed great patience to bring up his fifty from 105 balls, taking 127 minutes to get there. This was his seventh fifty in Tests. Warner cut down on his usual attacking approach to play a watchful knock and give his team a solid start.

The positive thing about Australia's batting today has been the footwork from it's two openers. Cowan once agian chips down the track and steals a quick single to mid-on.

Two balls later Warner gets lucky as he throws his bat at a wide ball and gets an edge which flies between the keeper and Kohli at first slip for a four. Kohli reacted very late and didn't even get his hand at that one.

Australia reach 109 for no loss in 36 overs at lunch on the opening day.

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Aus 103-0 (35 overs) vs India

Ashwin replaces Ojha, who bowled a first spell of five overs and even created that half chance in the last over.

Warner cuts the first ball past point for a couple to take his score t0 48 and inch closer to his fifty. The next ball turns and bounces big time as Warner lets it go and then defends the rest of the over before taking a single from the last ball.

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Aus 100-0 (34 overs) vs India

Cowan drives Jadeja to mid-off where Kumar makes a half stop for two runs which brings up Australia's 100 in the 34th over.

Warner has eased his way to 46, while Cowan is on 42.

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Aus 98-0 (33 overs) vs India

The two left-arm spinners have hardly made an impression bowling against the two Australian left-handed openers.

Ojha creates the first real chance of the day. Cowan goes back and tries to play the cut and it flies past Virat Kohli, who hardly has time to react to give Australia a boundary. That can at best be termed as a half-chance but that India's best moment with the ball in the morning session.

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Aus 93-0 (32 overs) vs India

Cowan picks a single from Jadeja's first ball. Warner chips down the track and tries to force it through the off-side but Dhawan makes a good save at short cover.

Warner then hits it in the vacant spaces behind point for a couple before the last ball comes in sharply which Warner somehow defends.

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Aus 90-0 (31 overs) vs India

This is Australia's highest opening partnership in Mohali, their previous best was between Shane Watson and Simon Katich 87 runs in October 2001.

Dhoni having a long chat with Tendulkar before the start of that over from Ojha. India must be getting desperate to make a breakthrough but their defensive tactics not helping.

Warner using his feet well but has controlled his aggressive instincts for the moment and is waiting for the loose deliveries to score.

Ojha bowls a maiden over to Warner as the lacklustre proceedings continue.

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Aus 90-0 (30 overs) vs India

India make another change with Ravindra Jadeja replacing Ashwin, who bowled a first spell of ten overs, giving away just 14 runs.

Warner rocks back and punches the third ball, which is short and wide, past the cover fielder for a boundary.

He then clips the next ball to deep square leg for one.

Cowan then jumps down the track but can't beat the fielder at mid-on before defending the last ball on the leg side.

Australia are 90 for no loss after 30 overs, with Warner on 44 from 85 balls and Cowan on 34 from 98 balls.

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Aus 85-0 (29 overs) vs India

After a slow start, Cowan is getting into his stride and is now fast catching up on Warner, who looks determined to play a big knock.

Warner chips down the track and hits it on the leg side for one before Cowan turns it fine for two runs.

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Aus 82-0 (28 overs) vs India

30 minutes to go for lunch as Australia are well placed after the first two hours of the Test match.

Cowan takes a single from the third ball before Warner hits it to the cover region for one.

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Aus 80-0 (27 overs) vs India

Ojha has struggled to get started. He again bowls one down the leg side which Warner and keeper Dhoni both miss for four byes.

Warner then drives it to mid-off where Ishant fumbles but the batsmen were anyways going for a single and Cowan turns it to fine leg region for another single to end the over.

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Aus 73-0 (26 overs) vs India

Cowan takes a quick single, tapping it to mid-off and running with the shot but Ojha is slow to react and his direct hit doesn't even pass close to the stumps for the only run of that over.

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Aus 72-0 (25 overs) vs India

Finally, Pragyan Ojha comes into the attack. Cowan defends the first ball before he goes on the backfoot and crashes a short ball through the covers for a four. Two balls later Ojha drifts way down the leg side and Cowan helps it along for the second four of the over before taking a single to end the over.

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Aus 63-0 (24 overs) vs India

Ashwin continues as India look for a much-needed breakthrough in the morning session.

Cowan pushes the first ball of the over for a single and Warner is content to defend the rest of the over.

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Aus 62-0 (23 overs) vs India

India trying to dry up the runs by bowling one side of the wicket and employing a 8-3 off-side field. But the two openers are still easily getting the scoreboard moving at a fair rate.

Sharma bowls another maiden over to make it three maiden overs in a row.

I doubt if you have ever witnessed a more boring first session of a Test match.

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Aus 62-0 (22 overs) vs India

Cowan tries to cut a short, wide ball from Ashwin but can't beat the point fielder and he repeats it a few deliveries later.

Australia content to play watchfully against Ashwin, who is getting turn but has been easily dealt with so far.

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Aus 61-0 (21 overs) vs India

Ishant comes on to bowl his ninth over. And he sends down another average over which Cowan easily sees off.

India get frustrated now as Australia keep playing out the overs, scoring at a good rate too.

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Aus 61-0 (20 overs) vs India

Ashwin bowling from over the wicket and angles it across Warner, who lets the first four balls go through. Ashwin then switches to round the wicket and pitches one up which Warner lofts back over his head for a four, his sixth of the innings, to take his score to 36.

Australia have reached 61 for no loss after 20 overs.

Not only have they been defended well but also managed to score at over three runs per over.

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Aus 57-0 (19 overs) vs India

Dhoni not willing to bring on his left-arm spinners into the attack yet. Ishant continues to bowl and Cowan cuts a short ball and places it perfectly between thirdman and deep point for a boundary.

He plays out the rest of the over as Australia continue to build carefully.

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Aus 53-0 (18 overs) vs India

A flat wicket offering nothing for the bowlers and India have gone on the defensive straightaway.

Ashwin drifts one down the leg side and Cowan helps it past wicketkeeper Dhoni for a four to bring up Australia's 50 to continue their good start.

A single from the last ball takes Australia's score to 51 from 18 overs.

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Aus 48-0 (17 overs) vs India

India have one slip in place now for Ishant, who is bowling to Cowan. The left-hander pulls the first ball to fine leg region for one and Warner turns it on the leg side for another easy single.

Cowan takes a single from the last ball as Australia reach 48 after 17 overs at the first drinks break on day two.

Australia have done it quite sensibly after electing to bat. Warner has made 32 from 51 balls, while Cowan is on 13 from 54 balls.

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Aus 45-0 (16 overs) vs India

Warner drives Ashwin to sweeper cover for a single before Cowan has enough time to back and defend one that turned a bit.

Cowan then tries to a short wide ball that again turned but he doesn't time it well for a single to the covers.

Warner ends the over by blocking the last two balls.

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Aus 43-0 (15 overs) vs India

Cowan has been very disciplined today and both the openers look very determined to make the opportunity count. Not much has gone right for Australia in the last few days and they will be looking to get it right on the fielder.

Cowan easily sees out another ineffective over from Ishant.

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Aus 43-0 (14 overs) vs India

Warner not trying anything fancy against Ashwin, who has been India's best bowler in the series so far. He carefully plays out Ashwin's third over as Aus reach 43 for no loss after 14 overs.

Hardly any spectators in the stands and if Australia continue to bat well then you won't get many coming later too.

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Aus 43-0 (13 overs) vs India

Ishant is back into the attack, replacing Kumar who is taken off after six overs for 27 runs in his first spell.

Warner clips the first ball to the fine leg region for one. Cowan is batting outside his crease to the pacers and takes a couple of steps before defending a full delivery and then gets to the cover region.

Warne again turns it on the leg side for a single.

India completely on the defensive as they have taken off the slip fielders while having two close in fielders on the leg side in short midwicket and short square leg for Cowan.

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Aus 40-0 (12 overs) vs India

Warner plays the first three balls from Ashwin on the off-side before turning the fourth on the leg side for one. Cowan is watchful as ever.

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Aus 39-0 (11 overs) vs India

Kumar will continue and he now switches to over the wicket. Cowan continues to defend solidly before the fifth ball goes off the thick outside edge for a four.

Australia have progressed well in the first hour.

After so much drama in the last few days, this good start will settle the nerves in the dressing room.

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Aus 35-0 (10 overs) vs India

India make their first bowling change as Ashwin comes in to replace Ishant, who bowled a first spell of four overs for 10 runs.

Ashwin makes a good start as Warner is beaten off the very first ball, trying to drive but the ball goes past the outside edge and then defends the next ball.

Warner then jumps down the track but fails to get to the pitch of the ball but the thick outside edge carries it past point for a couple.

A good first over from Ashwin.

Australia are 35 for no loss after 10 overs with Warner on 27 from 35 balls (5 fours) and Cowan on five from 28 balls.

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Aus 33-0 (9 overs) vs India

Kumar gets one to shape in sharply to Warner who is hit on the pads but the appeal is turned down.

Warner then inside edges the next ball that passes close to the stumps and goes for a boundary behind the stumps but anyways he was safe as Bhuvneshwar had overstepped the bowling crease.

He taps the fifth ball on the leg side for one.

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Aus 27-0 (8 overs) vs India

Warner has had enough of the defending as he chips Ishant back over his head for a four despite not getting proper timing on it. Ishant again pitches the next two balls right up but this Warner is content to defend.

Sharma then bowls a wide full toss as Warner throws his bat at it but fails to beat the fielder in the covers.

Australia have reached 27 for no loss after eight overs.

We should see the spinners in action soon!

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Aus 22-0 (7 overs) vs India

Warner collects an easy single to the deep point fielder from the fourth delivery. India trying to tempt Australian openers to have a go at full wide deliveries but they have resisted so far.

Cowan watchfully sees out the last two balls.

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Aus 21-0 (6 overs) vs India

Cowan is content to play it safe as he lets the first two balls from Ishant go through to the keeper before defending the next ball on the off-side. Ishant then oversteps for a no-ball before Cowan is beaten on the pull shot as the ball hits him on the thigh pads..

Australia are 21 for no loss after six overs.

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Aus 20-0 (5 overs) vs India

The pitch has nothing at all ffor the fast bowlers. Bhuvneshwar tries a bit extra but has overstepped the mark for a no-ball. Cowan has been watchful and is just looking to play out the new ball. He is confidently forward to pitched up deliveries, while looking to leave as much as possible outside the off-stump.

He opens the face of the bat and steers the fifth ball towards gully for a single.

India have a deep point, deep square leg and fine leg fielder on the boundary for Warner and he has hardly threatened so far. Warner nears drags the last ball back on to his stumps but it hit his pads and falls on the off-side.

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Aus 18-0 (4 overs) vs India

Warner defends the first deliveries from Ishant to the off-side before driving on the up through the covers for his third boundary. He lets the next ball through to the keeper and blocks the last ball.

Warner has got off to a good start, 14 from 12 balls with the help of three fours.

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Aus 14-0 (3 overs) vs India

India on the defensive already as they have a fielder at deep point for Warner. The left-hander cuts the first ball straight to that fielder for a single.

Debutant Dhawan misfields a simple drive in the covers to gift Cowan two runs, who then taps the fifth on the leg side for one.

Bhuvneshwar drops one shot and Warner cuts the last ball to deep point for another single.

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Aus 9-0 (2 overs) vs India

Ishant Sharma, playing in his 50th Test matches, comes on to bowl the second over. Cowan defends the first ball before letting the next ball go through. The ball is barely carrying to the wicketkeeper as the third ball reaches very low to Dhoni. Cowan sees out Ishant's first over.

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Aus 9-0 (1 over) vs India

Bhuvneshwar Kumar to bowl the first over. Ed Cowan defends the first ball before taking a single off the next to get Australia off the mark. David Warner is struck on the pads first up and there is an appeal for LBW but it is turned down. The left-hander then drives it down the ground beating a diving Ojha at mid-off for a boundary and steers the next ball through the off-side for back to back fours.

Australia are nine for no loss after the first over.

Check out the two teams:

India: Mahendra Singh Dhoni (captain), Shikhar Dhawan, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Sachin Tendulkar, Virat Kohli, Ravindra Jadeja, Ravichandran Ashwin, Pragyan Ojha, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Ishant Sharma.

Australia: Michael Clarke (captain), David Warner, Ed Cowan, Phil Hughes, Steven Smith, Brad Haddin, Moises Henriques, Peter Siddle, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Xavier Doherty.

Shikhar Dhawan will make his Test debut for India and he comes in for Virender Sehwag, who was dropped after the first two Test matches.

Harbhajan will be feeling disappointed as he is dropped for his home Test match. But Ojha's recall was deserved as he was dropped from the Indian team following a good showing against England where he was the joint highest wicket taker in the series with 20 wickets in four Tests.

The pitch is expected to help the spinners with plenty of cracks visible on the surface.

Australia captain Michael Clarke wins the toss and elects to bat against India in the rain-hit third Test match in Mohali, on Friday.

The toss took place on the second day after the first day's play was washed out due to rain.

India made two changes to their team bringing in left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha for Harbhajan Singh, while Shikhar Dhawan replaced Virender Sehwag.