Resuming their innings on 21 runs, India failed to carry the momentum on Day 2 of the second Test at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi and finished one run behind Australia as they were bowled out for 262. Axar Patel was the only batter forಞ the hosts to hi﷽t a half-century. He scored resilient 74 runs to help India fight back after a shaky start.
Axar smashed nine fours and three sixes in his innings and was well supported by Ravichandran Ashwin, who scored a decent 37 runs off 71 deliveries. Meanwhile, Nathan Lyon took a fifer for Australia and helped his team dominate the hosts on Day 2 of the game. Lyon single-handedly cleaned up India’s top order and bagged the wickets of Rohit Sharma, KL Rahul and Cheteshwar Pujara. The 36-year-old later also went to get rid of Shreyas Iyer and Srikar Bharat.
Apart from Lyon, Matthew Kuhnemann and Todd Murphy picked two scalps each for Australia.
Returning to bat after bundling out India, the visitors opted for a bazball approach and scored quick-fire 61 runs for the loss of one wicket in 12 overs. At stumps, Travis Head was unbeaten on 39, while Marnus Labuschagne scored 16 not out. However, the highest run-getter for Australia in their first innings, Usman Khawaja, was dismissed cheaply by Ravindra Jadeja aᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚs Iyer pulled off a🔯 stunner to send the Aussie opener back to pavilion.
Australia now lead India by 62 runs an🧸d will look to build on to the good start when they come back on Day 3 to resume their second innings.
Here’s how Twitter reacted:
Lyon was on the charge before Axar and 🍬Ashwin stopped him. Superb partnership 👏🏽😄
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14)
India 139/7. Ash Anna and Axar:
— Rajasthan Royals (@rajasthanroyals)
Australia lead by 62 runs. Scorecard:
— betvisa68.com (@CricketTimesHQ)
There was a time Australia were way ahead of the rest in playing mind games. Now they are getting a taste of their own medicine. Brilliant from Axar Patel …isse kehte hain kehkar….
Mazaa aa gaya— Virender Sehwag (@virendersehwag)
Double A batteries Ash n Axar, powered up the 🇮🇳 stand! 💯🤝 🦁💛
📸:— Chennai Super Kings (@ChennaiIPL)
End of an extraordinary knock from Axar𝔉 Patel, 74 runs when India was down & out in the Delhi test. He has given a great chance for India.
— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns)
Well pl🐠ayed, Axar. Only half cenᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚᩚ𒀱ᩚᩚᩚtury in India’s innings. Scored the match-winning 80+ in the last game too. What an asset he’s turning out to be for India at home… 👏👏
— Aakash Chopra (@cricketaakash)
Axar Patel scored 74 in 115 balls with 9 fours and 3 sixes. W🌌hat a knock by Axar, under pressure when India were struggling, he stepped up and put on a show.
Well done, Axar!
— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra)
🌟 STELLAR KNOCK! Axar scored his 3rd Test fifty with that fighting inning✤s.
🙌 What a gritty performance from him!
📷 BCCI •
— The Bharat Army (@thebharatarmy)
Australian after seeing Ashwin and Axar batting at no.8 and 9
Bowlers kab aayenge inke— Lokesh Saini🚩 (@LokeshVirat18K)
