LIVE
Tue, 07 March 2017
2nd Test: Ashwin spins India to victory

Timeline  Refresh

image
15:10   Ashwin spins India to victory


Aus 110-9 (35.1 ovs) vs India; Target: 188 | Scorecard

Fittingly, it is Ashwin, who ends it with the wicket with the wicket of Lyon, who offers a simple return catch to be taken by the bowler himself.

Ashwin finishes with splendid figures of six for two as Australia are bowled out for a paltry 112 to lose by 75 runs.

A superb comeback victory from the Indians as they level the four-match series 1-1.

16 wickets fell on the fourth day as India clinched victory against the odds with Australia's batting collapsing on a turning wicket.

India have to thank Pujara for his 92 in the second innings, while Rahane also played a good hand with a vital innings of 52.

Jadeja claimed six wickets in the first innings and Ashwin matched it up with a vital six-wicket haul in the second to guide India to a famous victory.
15:04   Ashwin claims 5th wicket, India close in on victory


Aus 110-9 (35.1 ovs) vs India; Target: 188
| Scorecard


Jadeja comes back and strikes immediately with the wicket of O'Keefe who misses one which goes straight but keeps a bit low to bowl him for two.

Australia are reduced to 110 for eight, needing another 78 runs for victory.

It remains to be seen if Handscomb changes his approach with two wickets remaining for Australia, he is currently batting on 24 from 65 balls.

New batsman Nathan Lyon throws his bat at a wide one as hits it uppishly on the off-side but it falls short of the fielder in the covers.

Peter Handscomb has a wild swing but ends up holing it high on the leg side as Saha takes an easy catch. The right-hander walks back for 24 as Australia lose their ninth wicket as India stand one just one wicket away from a superb victory.
14:56  


Aus 110-7 (34 ovs) vs India; Target: 188
| Scorecard


Pressure on Handscomb now to keep most of the strike and also look to get the runs while trying to shield the tailenders.

Umesh bowls a good over, including a pacy short ball on the body to deny Handscomb a single off the last ball.

But O'Keefe does well to take a single off the first ball from Ashwin to give his partner the strike, who also takes one from the next ball.

O'Keefe survives a run out chance as he hesitates slightly before setting off for the run as Umesh misses the direct hit from fine leg.

Ashwin pushes one straight through as Handscomb is beaten before he flicks the last ball to deep square leg for one.

Starc's wicket was Ashwin's 200th in home Test matches and he also climbs to fifth position in the list of highest wicket taker for Indian in Tests, going past Bishen Singh Bedi's tally of 266 wickets.
image
14:43   Ashwin dismisses Starc, Australia lose 7th wicket


Aus 103-7 (30 ovs) vs India; Target: 188
| Scorecard


Ashwin to bowl the final delivery of his unfinished over before the tea break. He switches to over the wicket to Mitchell Starc, who defends it.

Umesh comes back into the attack as Handscomb steers the first ball to thirdman for a single, the first run for Australia after 14 balls. Starc turns the next ball on the leg side for another single to get off the mark.

Ashwin bowling from round the wicket and looking to pitch on and around the off-stump. He gets one to bounce more than expected as Starc is hit on the gloves but there is no one at short leg to take the catch.

However, Ashwin gets his man a few balls later as Starc misses a straight ball which goes on to hit the stumps. Actually the ball bounced a bit more, hit Starc's underarm and ricocheted on to the stumps.

Australia are reduced to 103 for seven, needing 85 runs more for victory.

New batsman Steve O'Keefe defends the last two balls to end another wicket taking over from Ashwin, his third in a row.
image
14:28   Ashwin's double strike reduces Australia to 101-6 at tea


TEA - DAY 4

Aus 101-6 (27.5 ovs) vs India; Target: 188
| Scorecard


Ashwin strikes again in his next over with the wicket of Wade. An inside edge off the pads lobs on the leg side as Wriddhiman Saha comes up with a diving effort to take a splendid catch.

Saha dived full length to his right and made up for the lack of a fielder at the short leg position. Terrific wicketkeeping from the glovesman as India bag a crucial wicket at the stroke of tea.

Australia are reduced to 101 for six at the tea interval, still needing 87 runs for victory with just four wickets in hand.

What an absorbing session of Test cricket as India's bowlers launch a thrilling comeback for the hosts.

Chasing 188 for victory, Australia lost six wickets in the post-lunch session as India put themselves in a good position to clinch victory in a see-saw Test match in Bengaluru.

Australia's hopes rest big time on Handscomb, who is unbeaten on 19, with the tailenders for company, who surely will not have it easy on this uneven track.
14:08   Marsh dismissed for 13, Australia lose 5th wicket


Aus 101-5 (26 ovs) vs India; Target: 188
| Scorecard


Ashwin comes back into the attack in place of Jadeja. Handscomb chips down the track and drives Ashwin through midwicket for two runs to bring up Australia's 100, in the 26th over.

Three balls later, he plays Ashwin with the spin on the leg side for one.

Mitchell Marsh is dismissed off the last ball, caught at short leg for 13 as Australia slip to 101 for five.

The extra bounce and turn does the trick as Marsh plays on the backfoot but is hit on the gloves and it goes off his thigh pads giving Karun Nair an easy catch close in on the leg side.
14:03   Bowlers keep India in the hunt


Aus 98-4 (25 ovs) vs India; Target: 188
| Scorecard


In the next over, Jadeja has a close appeal for LBW turned down against Mitchell Marsh who has gone right back to defend a full delivery.

India captain Virat Kohli takes the DRS and the ball tracker shows that the ball was clipping the top of leg stump which means that the umpire's decision stays.

The Indian bowlers are all over Australia, who are struggling for surviving against an all fired-up bowling attack.

Umesh bowls a rare loose delivery, short and wide, as Handscomb smashes it through the covers for a four to release some pressure for Australia.

Marsh drives the last ball on the up in some style through the covers for the second four of the over.

Ishant replaces Umesh and he bowls a poor over as he is hit for three fours in the over. He starts with a wide half-volley which Handscomb drills through the covers for a four to bring the target under 100.

He takes a single before Marsh plays a nice straight drive past mid-on for the second four of the over.

Australia are 98 for four in 25 overs, needing another 90 runs for victory with six wickets in hand.
image
13:41   Yadav dismisses Smith, Australia lose 4th wicket


Aus 74-4 (20.3 ovs) vs India; Target: 188
| Scorecard


Change of ends for Jadeja as he takes over from Ashwin as he bowls a super quick over, conceding just a single to Smith.

Umesh bowling it full and looking to attack the stumps. The ball stays a bit low and Smith does well to get his bat down and keep it out. The next two balls Smith is again flirting with danger as he goes right back but is able to get his bat in the way.

While Jadeja is keeping one end tight, Umesh is bowling a fantastic spell, bowling at the stumps and looking for the pitch to play some tricks.

Umesh strikes with the big wicket of Smith, who is trapped leg before wicket for 28. The full delivery on the stumps hardly got off the pitch and struck Smith near the ankle right in front of the stumps.

Australia are reduced to 74 for four, needing another 113 runs for victory with six wickets in hand.
13:21   Marsh dismissed for 9, Australia 3 down


Aus 67-3 (15 ovs) vs India; Target: 188
| Scorecard


Umesh Yadav comes into the attack after a fiery first spell from Ishant. He gets Smith to edge one but Kohli is standing too wide at first slip as the ball hits his left hand and goes away for a four. That is an opportunity missed by the Indians and it was the prized scalp of Steve Smith.

In the next over, Shaun Marsh comes down the track and drives Ashwin through the covers for a four as Australia continue bat positively and not let the momentum die down.

Spin from both ends as Ravindra Jadeja comes into the attack, replacing Umesh, who bowled just one over and nearly claimed the wicket of Smith.

Jadeja makes a tidy start as he sends down a maiden over to Marsh. Ashwin bowls a short ball which Smith crashes through the covers for a four before he picks one from the fifth ball.

Umesh, who bowled just one over in first spell, comes back as Jadeja is taken off after bowling an over himself.

He strikes with the wicket of Marsh, who offer no stroke, but the ball comes in and hits him on the pads. The umpire rules him out LBW and Marsh walks off after a chat with his captain Smith, who is not in favour of reviewing that one.

That was a bad call by Australia not to take the DRS as the ball was missing the stumps by a long way. Wonder how Marsh will react in the dressing room when he sees the replay himself?
12:58   Warner falls for 17, Australia lose 2nd wicket


Aus 44-2 (10 ovs) vs India; Target: 188
| Scorecard


Warner has had enough of the defending against Ashwin as he gives the off-spinner the charge and lofts him over mid-on for a six.

This is a statement from the Australian opener, who has been struggling for runs in the series. If Warner can get a quick half-century it would all but end India's hopes of making a match out of this.

Smith continues to shuffle around his crease as he gets a bottom edge which goes on the bounce behind the stumps and Saha does well to stop it. The last ball moves away a bit beating Smith, who is forced to defend.

Ashwin strikes with the key wicket of Warner, who is given out leg before wicket for 16. He has a chat with captain Smith before deciding to go for the DRS.

Warner went for the sweep but missed it completely and was struck right in front of the stumps. The impact is just outside the off-stump but the ball is going on to hit the stumps and it stays with the umpire's decision.

Ashwin claims Warner's wicket for the ninth time in Tests as the left-hander's struggle against spin continues and he also ends up wasting a DRS review for Australia.

India back in the contest as Australia are reduced to 42 for two in the 10th over.
image
12:36   Renshaw out for 5, Australia lose 1st wicket


Aus 29-1 (6 ovs) vs India; Target: 188
| Scorecard


Ashwin bowls a beauty, bowling outside the leg stump and turning big beating Warner who was squared up as he looked to defend, it was similar to his dismissal in the first innings but this time it missed the stumps.

He gets Warner to edge one but it falls short of the fielder at second slip before Ashwin gets another turn big from way outside the leg stump as Warner is beaten again but Saha fails to collect to give away four byes.

In the next over, Ishant makes the breakthrough with the key wicket of the in-form Renshaw, caught behind for five. The ball kicks off quite sharply after pitching on length as it kisses the gloves and wicketkeeper Saha completes an easy catch.

Steve Smith walks across his stumps off the first ball he faces as he is hit on the pads but the huge appeal for confident is turned down with the impact quite high on the pads.

The next ball straightens a bit and Smith is beaten all ends up as he plays down the wrong line and he is lucky not to have edged it. Top stuff from the lanky Ishant Sharma!

Warner decides to try something fancy as he tries the reverse sweep against Ashwin but is beaten. A few deliveries later he looks to sweep as the ball bounces more than expected and he makes a late adjustment and manages to swipe it to deep square leg for one.

Smith wasting no time as he slog sweeps Ashwin through midwicket for a four. He gets a leading edge off the next ball as he closes the face of the bat too early and gets two runs through the covers.
12:22   Australia off to a quick start after being set 188 for victory


Aus 18-0 (3 ovs) vs India; Target: 188
| Scorecard


Welcome to the post-lunch session on Day 4 as Australia chase 188 for victory with five sessions still left in the play.

India need 10 wickets to level the series or else Australia will take an unassailable 2-0 lead and also retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy.

Ishant Sharma to open the bowling as David Warner hits the first ball on the off-side for one. Matt Renshaw edges the third ball which goes past the slips for a four before he defends the next two balls to end the first over.

Ravichandran Ashwin to start off from the other end. The first ball turns big but goes the other way down the leg side to Warner and beats wicketkeeper for four byes. He looks to sweep the next ball but is beaten before he chips down and steals a quick single to mid-on followed by two more singles off the last two balls.

In the next over, Warner turns Ishant on the leg side for a couple before he plays a nice straight drive off the fourth for two more runs. Ishant bowls a beauty to beat Warner outside the off-stump as the ball moves away enough to go past the edge. The Indians go up in appeal for catch behind but the umpire is not interested.

India are off to a quick start as they race to 18 for no loss in three overs, needing another 170 runs for victory.
image
11:35   India bowled out for 274, set Australia 188 for victory


LUNCH - DAY 4

India 274-all out (97.1 ovs) & 189 vs
Aus 276 | Scorecard


Josh Hazlewood claimed six for 67 as India were bowled out for 274 in their second innings of the second Test.

Ishant was the last wicket to fall as he was caught in the covers off O'Keefe after he had put on 16 runs for the final wicket with Saha, who was unbeaten on 20.

India had suffered a batting collapse in the morning session after Australia took the second new ball. India, who started the day on 237 for four, lost four wickets for eight runs with Starc and Hazlewood climb two wickets apiece in successive overs.

Rahane was the first wicket to fall when he was trapped leg before wicket by Starc for 52 after he had put on 118 runs for the fifth wicket with Pujara.

Pujara was unlucky to miss out on his century as he was caught at gully for 92 off Hazlewood.

The first session belonged to Australia, who picked up six wickets for 61 runs in 25.1 overs.

India will need a special effort from their bowlers to claim victory in this Test. The pitch is still playing some tricks but Australia will feel confident of chasing down this target.
11:26  


India 274-9 (97 ovs) & 189 vs
Aus 276 | Scorecard


Change of ends for Hazlewood as Starc gets a break. Saha edges the first ball which goes past the slips but the fielder at thirdman does well to stop it inside the ropes. Saha and Ishant didn't attempt the single thinking it would go for run, if they had started off to run they would have got two runs easily.

Saha does well to pick a single off the fourth ball to give Ishant the strike for the last two balls only.

In the next over, Saha and Ishant pick three singles with the former managing to keep strike for the next over.

Saha again does well to take a single off the fourth ball from Hazlewood in the next over, leaving Ishant to deal with just two deliveries.

Ishant is hit on the pads off the last ball of the over as the umpire turns down the LBW appeal. The Australians take the DRS and the ball is pitching outside the off-stump and clipping the outside half of leg stump which means it stays with the umpire's call.

Lyon seems to have hurt his fingers which means O'Keefe comes in from the other end. Saha sweeps the first ball and takes the single to take his score to 20, this has been such a vital knock from the wicketkeeper-batsman. Unlike some of his other team mates Ishant showing great resolve and application, giving Saha good support as they look to take the lead past the 200-run mark.

Hazlewood bowls a good short ball to Saha who does well to fend it off his gloves and it rolls close to the stumps. Saha has a wild swing as the ball goes in the air towards mid-off where Warner does well to dive to his right but can't hold and Ishant, who has backed up quite a bit, manages to get to back to his crease despite a direct hit.
11:05  


India 268-9 (92 ovs) & 189 vs
Aus 276 | Scorecard


Australia have spread the field around for Saha, they are happy to give him singles but he refuses to take the offer, atleast for the first four balls of the over.

Starc looking to bowl it full and wide to Saha before he bowls a quick bouncer which the right-hander ducks under. The fifth ball is a full delivery which Saha can't get away with the field in and the last ball is a quick bouncer as he misses the pull shot.

Ishant on strike against Hazlewood and he manages to see off the over much to the relief of India. Starc bowls another tight over to Saha, who breaks the sequence of maiden overs as he lofts the last ball over mid-off for a four.

Australia make a change as Lyon comes in for Hazlewood. Ishant sweeps the first ball square on the leg side for a four. He taps the next ball on the leg side for a single before Saha sweeps and collects a quick run to short fine leg.

Ishant takes a big stride down as he defends Lyon which saves him from the LBW appeal.

image
10:44   Hazlewood picks 6th wicket, India 9 down


India 258-9 (88 ovs) & 189 vs
Aus 276 | Scorecard


Saha is looking to be positive and score some runs with just two wickets in hand for India. He swipes Starc across the line on the leg side for a four before he launches the last ball over mid-off for a six as Australia bring in the field to stop the single.

Poor thinking from Umesh Yadav as he throws his wicket away with a reckless shot off Hazlewood. He goes for the wild swing down the ground but ends up hitting it straight into the hands of the fielder at mid-off. He only had to take the single and get Saha on strike but he went for glory himself.

India slip to 258 for nine with a lead of 171 runs.

Ishant Sharma flicks the last ball on the leg side but Saha decides against taking the single so he can keep the strike in the next over.
10:33   Hazlewood picks 5th wicket as India collapse on Day 4


India 246-8 (86 ovs) & 189 vs
Aus 276 | Scorecard


India are collapsing here as Pujara chips Hazlewood straight to the fielder in the gully to be dismissed for 92.

Three quick wickets as India collapse from 238 for four to 242 for seven in the space of six deliveries, with a lead of just 155 runs.

He had glanced the first ball of the over fine on the leg side for a four before he steered the next straight into the hands of Mitchell Marsh. The ball bounced more than expected and Pujara looking to steer it through the thirdman region was unable to keep it down.

Ravichandran Ashwin hits a wide delivery from Hazlewood through the off-side for a four before the pacer gets revenge. The ball keeps low and Ashwin is unable to keep it out and is bowled as India lose another wicket.

India have lost four wickets in nine balls for the addition of just eight runs to slip to 246 for eight in 86 overs, for a lead of just 159 runs.
10:25   Starc's double strike rattles India on Day 4


India 238-6 (84.4 ovs) & 189 vs
Aus 276 | Scorecard


Hazlewood comes in from the other end. Pujara is struck on the pads but it is given out as the impact is outside the off-stump and Australia also decide against taking the DRS.

Starc strikes with the key wicket of Rahane, who is given out LBW after a gusty innings of 52.

Umpire Nigel Llong gave it not out and Australia decide to take the DRS. The ball pitched in line and was going on to hit the stumps as the umpire has to overturn the decision and rule Rahane out leg before wicket.

Rahane and Pujara got India's innings back on track as they added 118 runs for the fifth wicket.

Out walks Karun Nair to bat in front of his home fans. But he lasts just one delivery as Starc bowls him through the gate for a golden duck. Careless batting from Nair as he goes for the drive off the first ball he faces but gets an inside edge and is bowled.

Two wickets in two balls dents India's hopes big time of getting to a big score.

Starc on a hat-trick as he bowls a good inswinging yorker which beats Wriddhiman Saha all ends up but he is fortunate to get an inside edge.
10:01   Rahane, Pujara hit half-centuries to lift India on Day 4


India 232-4 (81 ovs) & 189 vs
Aus 276 | Scorecard


The two spinners quickly rush through their overs, conceding just 11 runs from eight overs as Australia decide to immediately take the second new ball after 80 overs.

Rahane and Pujara will need to be careful against the second new ball as Starc and Hazlewood will definitely pose a threat.

Starc comes in straightaway with the second new ball. Rahane smashes the second ball through the covers for a four to bring up his half-century, from 128 balls, in some style.

The next ball is short as Rahane cuts it to the fielder at thirdman for one. Starc tries a yorker but Pujara is able to clip the full delivery square on the leg side for three runs.

Rahane goes for another ambitious drive through the off-side but is beaten by the incoming delivery.
09:42   Rahane, Pujara put on 100-run stand


India 220-4 (76 ovs) & 189 vs
Aus 276 | Scorecard


Left-arm spinner Steve O'Keefe to open the bowling for Australia on Day 4. Cheteshwar Pujara turns the first ball on the leg side to get a single and three balls later Rahane drives it to sweeper cover for another run.

Spinners from both end for Australia to being the fourth day. He gets Rahane to edge the first ball but it falls short of the fielder in the slips before he takes a single in the covers. The last ball is a bit short as Pujara steers it past point for a couple.

Pujara gets an inside edge off O'Keefe as Peter Handscomb at short leg appeals for a low catch at short leg which the umpire refers upstairs. His soft signal is not out and the replays show that the ball did bounce just before Handscomb took it. He cuts the last ball of the over to deep point for a single to raise the 100-run stand for the fifth wicket from 221 balls.

This is the first time in the series that either of the teams has put up a 100-run stand.

However, Lyon strikes in the very next over with the key wicket of Pujara, who is given out leg before wicket. He immediately takes the DRS and it proves to be a good decision as the impact is on the leg stump and the ball is going on to miss the stumps courtesy of the turn. Pujara made the mistake of going right back in the crease but the big turn saved him this time around.

So, for the first time in six attempts, a DRS decision has gone India's way.
image
09:07   Rahane, Pujara hope to stretch India's lead on Day 4


India 213-4 (72 ovs) & 189 vs
Aus 276 | Scorecard


Welcome to the coverage of Day 4 of the second Test between India and Australia in Bengaluru, on Tuesday.

India make a good comeback with Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane sharing an unbroken fifth-wicket stand of 93 giving the hosts a lead of 126 and keep their hopes alive, on a see-saw third day.

India's chances appeared slim when paceman Josh Hazlewood's triple strike helped Australia reduce them to 120 for four before tea and the touring side looked favourites to take a 2-0 lead in the four-match series.

Pujara and Rahane batted through the final session to ensure India will set them a decent target to chase on a difficult pitch. At close of play, Pujara was unbeaten on 79 with Rahane on 40 to take India to 213 for four. KL Rahul completed his second fifty of the match before he fell for 51, brilliantly caught by Steve Smith in the slips off left-arm spinner Steve O'Keefe.

Earlier, left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja took six for 63 as India fought back to dismiss the tourists for 276 in the morning session.

TOP STORIES