The Indian Cricket Team are currently clashing against Australia in the second match of the four-match Test series at the Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi that kicked off on Friday, February 17. After losing the first match by an inning and 132 runs, the Australian team hoped to do well in the second match, however, that didn’t really happen on Day 1.
Meanwhile, in the first session of the second day, Australian spinner Nathan Lyon provided the first breakthrough for the team as he dismissed the Indian opener KL Rahul on 17 runs. Lyon bowled a tossed-up delivery in the middle that turned into the batter. Rahul got forward to defend but his bat got stuck a little next to the pad, the ball clipped leg-stump and the umpire had the finger up in a flash.
Earlier on Day 1, Australia won the toss and decided to bat first. Australian openers provided a decent start to the team as opener David Warner and Usman Khawaja stitched a beautiful 50-run partnership for the first wicket. Indian speedster Mohammed Shami provided the first breakthrough as he dismissed the out-of-form batter, Warner for 15.
An improved batting performance from Australia
The no.1 ranked Test batter of the world, Marnus Labuschagne came to bat at no.3 and looked confident but departed after scoring 18 runs. He was trapped by Indian spinner Ravichandran Ashwin as he bowled a nice off-break delivery, which drifted away and then spun back into his pads. Ashwin didn’t stop as one ball later, he dismissed another premium batter Steve Smith for a two-ball duck.
After Lunch, Shami got Travis Head but, once again, a partnership between Peter Handscomb and Khawaja developed before the left-hander was brilliantly caught by KL Rahul to dismiss him for an 81-run knock. Australian wicketkeeper, Alex Carey did not last long but Handscomb found a partner in skipper Pat Cummins and the duo added 59 runs for the 7th wicket before Jadeja struck twice in one over as he dismissed Cummins and Todd Murphy in the same over.
Later, Handscomb and Nathan Lyon were dealing with the spinners very confidently but, once again, Shami came back and got the last two wickets after Jadeja was denied a wicket due to a no-ball when he got Handscomb. Shami took 4 wickets, while Ashwin and Jadeja took 3 wickets each. India came to bat with 9 overs still left in the day and the openers Rohit Sharma and Rahul successfully survived to end the day with 21 runs for no loss.
Here’s how the fans reacted:
Pta ni kab klr ko kitna proof dena pdega k mai out of form me hu, nikalo mujhey😂😂
— ਅਮਿਤ ਕੁਮਾਰ ਸ਼ਰਮਾ (@amyth_sharma) February 18, 2023
Or kitna sharminda kroge#klrahul
— singh gur (@sohigur1313) February 18, 2023
Koi baat nahi! I was expected some single digit runs. But atleast he contributed some 😂
— Nobody Knows (@uthalereydeva) February 18, 2023
Kele Rahul missed his century just by 83 runs. pic.twitter.com/lJ0ZhUoJUV
— subham tripathi (@tripathi_subhm) February 18, 2023
Kyu daal rhe hai isko baar baar.dimag kharab kr rakha hai..in form batters are sitting on bench and this rubbish is getting multiple chances
— Ajay Rana (@krishuajay) February 18, 2023
Koyi bat nhi guys next match me fir se khilayenge
— ꪀⅈ𝕣ꪑꪖꪶ 𝕣ꪖ𝕛 ➐ (@nirmal9_) February 18, 2023
Spinner ni khel pa rhe 😂😂
— Islam zindabad (@sasukeksu) February 18, 2023
Rere failure of kela after announcing of ipl schedule 😭
— Priyanshu (@Priyanshu6070) February 18, 2023
