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The Guardian - AU
The Guardian - AU
Sport
Jonathan Howcroft Adam Collins & Geoff Lemon

Lyon spins a web as India's first innings falters – as it happened

Nathan Lyon bowled Australia into a competitive position at the end of day two of the final Test in Dharamsala.
Nathan Lyon bowled Australia into a competitive position at the end of day two of the final Test in Dharamsala. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

And here is the report from day two in Dharamsala:

Close of Day Two: India 248-6 trail Australia by 52

A slow moving day of nip and tuck Test cricket sprang to life after Tea when Nathan Lyon’s four wickets spun the match Australia’s way after India looked set to gain a big first innings advantage. On a lifeless surface India’s top order failed to cash in methodical starts with KL Rahul, Che Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane all occupying the crease for long periods without making decisive contributions.

India’s slow progress ensured Australia were always in with a sniff and despite the probing of the seamers it was Lyon who came up with the miracle spell, dragging India from 157-2 to 221-6 late in the day.

As it has been all series this battle is an even one with each session promising to determine the outcome. Australia have their noses in front for now, but only fractionally, and they’ll have to set India a total to chase on a pitch that’s starting to offer plenty of assistance to the slow bowlers.

A fascinating few days are in store.

Nathan Lyon dragged Australia back into the final Test against India in Dharamsala.
Nathan Lyon dragged Australia back into the final Test against India in Dharamsala. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

Updated

91st over: India 248-6 (Saha 10, Jadeja 16)

Hazlewood to bring the day’s play to a close but as with Cummins before him the line is consistently unthreatening, not helped by the bowler struggling with some loose footmarks. The final delivery does raise an appeal for LBW but umpire Gould sensibly doesn’t fancy where the ball pitched, nor where it was about to go.

Before we leave, Phil Withall is on hand to send us out on a contemplative note. “Evening Jonathan, Lemmy saved The Damned by standing in as bass player after Brian James left. Captain Sensible of the Damned wrote Sir Donald’s son. There is a slightly weak cricket reference but a lovely song.

Lemmy, you were a good ‘un.

90th over: India 245-6 (Saha 9, Jadeja 16)

Two overs remaining tonight, meaning Cummins has just six deliveries left to hurl down. Unfortunately for him the majority are left alone outside off stump by Saha keen to get to stumps.

So ends a frustrating day for Cummins. He’s bowled his heart out for one wicket. Deserved better and would have secured better had Renshaw’s hands been surer in the cordon.

89th over: India 244-6 (Saha 9, Jadeja 16)

Hazlewood shares the new ball as replays riff on Renshaw’s misery. That was a poor drop at a vital stage of the match.

A bit of shape for Hazlewood who senses the movement and pushes his length fuller. Jadeja sees it off safely enough but Saha has to fend off a length delivery with one hand off the handle.

Thomas Jenkins raises an awkward question. “Did Wade not just accidentally sledge Lyon - ‘You’re not just a one-trick pony Gary’ - leading to a rank full-toss and Jadeja’s six? Has anyone not tried to teach Wade that silence is an option if no other better options are available?”

88th over: India 243-6 (Saha 9, Jadeja 15)

Pat Cummins. New ball. Four overs remaining tonight. To quote Jim Bowen: super smashing great.

And it was almost time for Saha to get his BFH (bus fare home for Bowen neophytes) as Cummins rips one past his inside edge but somehow fails to collect an edge or a bail. He should have gone later int he over too but Renshaw shells a sitter at first slip! Fast, straight, edged, dropped.

The past is a foreign country.

87th over: India 243-6 (Saha 9, Jadeja 15)

Lyon was always going to get another over but India navigate it with purpose. Jadeja is busy at the crease and his left-handedness, footwork and quick hands have asked some questions of Lyon and Smith for the first time in a few overs. His second six arrives in brutal fashion, muscling a six over midwicket from a delivery only a fraction short.

Surely the new ball is nigh.

Geoff Wignall has dropped me a line. “Hi, you mentioned Lemmy “from Motorhead”. There was and ever will be only one Lemmy, all else is supererogatory. Cracking Test match. I’m backing Aus to win by 3 runs, otherwise India by 1 wicket.”

Fair Geoff, fair. Although, I have to cater to all audiences.

86th over: India 235-6 (Saha 8, Jadeja 8)

O’Keefe continues. With just six overs remaining in the day, will that new ball be taken at all tonight? Jadeja encourages Smith to take it with an almighty thwack out of nowhere. Tossed up by O’Keefe and Jadeja wallops it miles over his head for six unexpectedly brilliant runs. Four more follow in the over, off Saha this time, driving to the cover fence smartly from another over-pitched delivery.

Peter Salmon with a lovely email. “Hi Jonathan, loving watching Lyon use that big brain of his to get wickets. Whenever he doesn’t get any I always feel like the game has failed him, rather than the other way around. Like Kasparov being trounced at draughts.”

85th over: India 224-6 (Saha 4, Jadeja 1)

Lyon almost has Saha again but a genuine edge flies to where a second slip would be, not where first slip is. Another good over for Australia who are turning the screw again.

84th over: India 221-6 (Saha 2, Jadeja 0)

That new ball remains up Smith’s sleeve but why would he call on it with his spinners bowling in tandem as they are now. Gone is India’s pre-drinks impetus, replaced by O’Keefe and Lyon firing grenades on a bunsen.

A rapid O’Keefe maiden.

83rd over: India 221-6 (Saha 2, Jadeja 0)

Jadeja almost perishes first ball with Lyon ripping one past the lesser spotted left-hand batsman’s outside edge.

Wicket maiden for Lyon who has bowled Australia back into this Test and now, probably, into the ascendancy. What a series this has been.

WICKET! Ashwin LBW Lyon 30 (India 221-6)

The first ball of Lyon’s over is his stock line and length but this one spins without much bounce, beating Ashwin’s defensive prod. Australia appeal, Gunner Gould raises his finger and Lyon has his fourth of the session! Ashwin reviews, hoping he’s hit outside the line of off stump but DRS confirms it was an umpire’s call so he’s on his way.

Updated

82nd over: India 221-5 (Ashwin 30, Saha 2)

O’Keefe with another go and Australia are adamant there’s a fine edge to the keeper from the third delivery of the over. Umpire Erasmus rejects the appeal and Smith instantly REVIEWS but ultra edge reveals no noise and Saha survives. After DRS being neglected for five sessions Australia have used it three times in the blink of an eye. They now have a potential 78 overs to go with just one review available.

81st over: India 220-5 (Ashwin 29, Saha 2)

The new ball will not be taken immediately as golden arm Lyon continues. And Smith’s faith is almost justified with Lyon’s overspin teasing the gremlins out of this surface like the Pied Piper of Hamelin.

80th over: India 219-5 (Ashwin 28, Saha 2)

O’Keefe ripping it now as if it’s the opening couple of Test matches of the series. Saha unfurls his unorthodox sweep shot with the bat facing straight down the pitch like a member of the royal family knighting a subject. The second time he tries the shot he fails to connect, the ball hits him in line and Australia REVIEW another LBW shout. DRS shows the ball sailing over the stumps in the manner that will have sceptics stroking their beards.

Australia’s DRS tally is reset back to two at the end of the over.

Looking at replays, Lyon’s third wicket of the session was from one that bounced but didn’t turn - turn that Rahane played for.

WICKET! Rahane c Smith b Lyon 46 (India 216-5)

79th over: India 215-5 (Ashwin 26)

Lyon applies the handbrake, getting prodigious turn and bounce now from this surface, albeit slow turn, but enough to force India into self-preservation mode when landed in the right areas.

And Lyon finds just the right area with the final delivery of the over! Rahane back and across but he can only edge with hard hands straight to the soft hands of Smith at first slip. Huge breakthrough with the new ball on its way.

78th over: India 215-4 (Rahane 46, Ashwin 26)

Ashwin’s at it again, feasting on width from O’Keefe and cutting him confidently for a boundary. O’Keefe responds with another indication of the turn and bounce on offer but it’s followed up by a full bunger that Rahane slogs to the midwicket fence.

This game is finally sailing again after being stuck in the afternoon doldrums.

77th over: India 206-4 (Rahane 42, Ashwin 21)

The more purposeful India returns against Lyon and three singles is their return. More happening for the bowler too though with increasing turn and bounce.

76th over: India 203-4 (Rahane 41, Ashwin 19)

Drinks arrived at a good time for Australia with India mounting a charge. O’Keefe continues after the break and Australia REVIEW as Rahane shoulders arms to one wide of off stump that DRS indicates would not trouble the timber. Worth a look upstairs with two reviews in Smith’s pocket so close to the 80-over renewal mark.

Just one run from the over, a better one from O’Keefe, including one that gripped and turned encouragingly past the outside edge.

Two wickets from Nathan Lyon brought Australia back into the game during the third session of day two in Dharamsala.
Two wickets from Nathan Lyon brought Australia back into the game during the third session of day two in Dharamsala. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

75th over: India 202-4 (Rahane 41, Ashwin 18)

India are finally baring their teeth. Rahane this time using his feet and lofting Lyon to cow corner with an elegance in excess of the final destination. Next ball Rahane waits, rocks back and carves a cut behind point for four more. Lyon responds by returning around the wicket.

Better from India. Ashwin has instilled something into this innings.

Drinks.

74th over: India 194-4 (Rahane 33, Ashwin 18)

O’Keefe gives Hazlewood a breather and Ashwin senses the importance of this spell before the second new ball. Back to back fours off the back foot through the offside show the intent that has been sorely lacking throughout the day. Smith has few options available to him so India could cash in over the next few overs.

73rd over: India 186-4 (Rahane 33, Ashwin 10)

Another maiden for Lyon. A shout for LBW was clearly outside the line of off stump and some neat footwork later in the over from Rahane fails to pay dividends. Excellent tussle.

Any excuse to celebrate the axe mauling of Sunil Chauhan, the Dharamsala curator.

72nd over: India 186-4 (Rahane 33, Ashwin 10)

Ashwin looks more comfortable against Hazlewood. A cover drive deserved more than it got and a nice glance off his hip brought two when it could have delivered more. He cashes in eventually though, slapping a pull for four through midwicket to see out the over.

The TV cameras have picked out the curator of the venue here in Dharamsala, and he is a beauty. More than a hint of Lemmy from Motorhead about him, which is very much to his credit. Images or gifs welcome, so that anyone who missed in can be assured I’m not making it up.

71st over: India 180-4 (Rahane 33, Ashwin 4)

Lyon also doing that groove thang, just one off another over of probing a decent length outside off stump.

Sorry Nathan, you’ll need ot take those shades off to get in here,

70th over: India 179-4 (Rahane 33, Ashwin 3)

Hazlewood gives Cummins a breather as Smith smartly rotates his quicks. How he would love a third at his disposal but that pace-bowling allrounder cupboard is bare for now.

Hazlewood is straight into the groove like a truck driver’s buttocks, dropping in the odd shorter ball to keep Ashwin pinned back. Just a single from the over. India’s run rate now a torpid 2.55, despite the fair surface and rapid outfield.

69th over: India 178-4 (Rahane 33, Ashwin 2)

“India have allowed him to bowl well,” says Michael Clarke of Nathan Lyon. Australia’s GOAT sends down another maiden to Rahane that reinforces the point the former Aussie skipper has been banging on about for the past couple of hours. India’s inability to seize this game since Lunch has allowed Australia to muscle their way back into contention.

68th over: India 178-4 (Rahane 33, Ashwin 2)

Cummins looks like he might be too quick for Ashwin but the allrounder prevails and even collects two for his troubles.

Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! It’s Superhandscomb, snaffling Pujara in the first over after Tea.
Is it a bird? Is it a plane? No! It’s Superhandscomb, snaffling Pujara in the first over after Tea. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

Updated

67th over: India 176-4 (Rahane 33, Ashwin 0)

Rahane sees off Lyon the destroyer. Four is earned with a precise leg glance so late a budget airline would have refused its boarding pass. But the over’s highlight really is a 104kph quicker ball and comparisons with Boom Boom Afridi. More of that please.

66th over: India 172-4 (Rahane 29, Ashwin 0)

Almost a third after Tea! Short and fast from Cummins, Rahane goes at it in the manner of a back foot cover drive but he looks marooned as a wicked outside edge flies just above the fingertips of both first and second slip.

This is becoming a slow burning classic.

65th over: India 167-4 (Rahane 24, Ashwin 0)

As the old adage goes, add two wickets to the scoreboard to get a truer reflection of the state of the game. India may appeared to be cruising at Tea but their moribund run rate has come back to haunt them.

WICKET! Nair c Wade b Lyon 5 (India 167-4)

Lyon does it again! Nair playing back to one that bounces more than he expected and all he can do is lob guiltily towards short leg where Wade is around smartly with his gloves to intercept the stat. That one went glove, thigh pad, gloves, gorrrrrn.

Australia storming back into this contest.

Updated

64th over: India 166-3 (Rahane 23, Nair 5)

Cummins continues, varying his length cleverly from menacingly short to temptingly full and Nair almost perishes with a juicy sucker ball.

Maiden over. The rut India have dug themselves into now looks awkwardly deep. There’s just no intent from the batsmen.

Amod Paranjape asks: “Dear Jonathan, I don’t know what it is with captaincy and modern players. Make a guy captain and his average increases. Very interested to see how Joe Root performs.” As am I, Amod. Fascinating that we now have the four best batsmen of the contemporary game all now international captains.

63rd over: India 166-3 (Rahane 23, Nair 5)

Lyon operating around the wicket to Rahane but over to Nair. After the former pushes a single to square leg the over is in the main full around off and dead batted until Nair farms the strike with a single worked into the on-side.

62nd over: India 164-3 (Rahane 22, Nair 4)

Big opportunity now for Australia to punch their way into the allrounders and Steve Smith senses it, recalling spearhead Cummins. A typically wholehearted over is played well by India though with Rahane driving a three through the covers and Nair getting off the mark with a thick edge along the ground through the gully region.

Phil Withall is after a quick update. “Evening Jonathan, After four deliveries Rahane had ten runs. I went and cut the grass, cooked dinner and did some ironing and come back to find he now has 19 from 55. Is this due to impressive bowling or has he just shut up shop?” A bit of column A a bit of column B, Phil. And that dismissal of Pujara shows the folly of allowing the game to drift as they did and not putting much pressure back on Australia. Perhaps they’re on notice to grind Australia into the ground and put as many overs as possible into Cummins and Hazlewood?

WICKET! Pujara c Handscomb b Lyon 57

61st over: India 157-3 (Rahane 19, Nair 0)

Lyon to twirl down the first over after Tea. He hasn’t upgraded his wraparound sunglasses - so evocatively described by Geoff Lemon earlier - so he does resemble a minor character from Breaking Bad as he sticks his tongue out at the top of his mark.

He’s getting plenty of overspin though, extracting as much bounce as is on offer from this placid surface - and one of those finds an early breakthrough! After nudging a four to fine leg Pujara props forward and a thick inside edge balloons off his pad to the waiting Handscomb.

Just the start Australia dreamed of.

Updated

Fox Sports’ exclusive footage inside Glenn Maxwell’s brain during the Ranchi Test.

To keep you occupied during the intermission I’ll send you down the wormhole I’ve been on thinking about Pat Cummins ‘round the mountains.

Not sure he’d get away with driving six white horses.

Thank you very much Mr Lemon. It is my honour to navigate the good ship OBO through the final session of the day, one that feels like it could become the fulcrum session for the match, and in turn the series.

India have built the platform to secure a dominant first innings lead, but they need someone to press on and make it happen. Much of the afternoon session saw the home side becalmed, unable to rotate the strike, assert scoreboard pressure or force Steve Smith to do things he would rather not (like bowling Glenn Maxwell). Consequently, India remain nearer two sessions than one behind Australia.

This is incentive enough for the tourists with Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins both threatening and economical. The challenge is managing their workload for maximum efficiency. The second new ball will be vital.

At least 31 overs to be bowled in the next couple of hours.

Tea - India 153 for 2, still 147 behind Australia's first innings

It’s like a Tony Hawk VHS special out there - the grind is on. Pujara is still going, and Rahane is somehow still with him. There were alarms aplenty in that session, but Australia didn’t have the luck. KL Rahul was out for his fifth half century in six innings, but that was the only bit of joy for the visitors. Something has to change, and fast, or the inexorable tide of Pujara will sweep all before it away, and away, and away. Your captain for the next part of that voyage will be JP Howcroft. Rig the mainsail for him.

60th over: India 153-2 (Pujara 53, Rahane 19)

Rahane curbs his crazy instincts for the final over, blocking it out, another O’Keefe maiden in his 17th over for the innings, and that is tea.

59th over: India 153-2 (Pujara 53, Rahane 19)

A couple of singles from Lyon, as the tea break looms. We’ll get one more over in.

Updated

58th over: India 151-2 (Pujara 52, Rahane 18)

Pujara gets a single early, a bit streaky, off the thick edge into the covers. O’Keefe plugs away at Rahane for the rest of the over.

Updated

57th over: India 150-2 (Pujara 51, Rahane 18)

Just a Pujara single from Lyon’s over, and that raises the 150.

Updated

56th over: India 150-2 (Pujara 50, Rahane 18)

Rahane not shy still. Lashes O’Keefe to cover, but a good diving save from Lyon, set well back, stops any run. So Rahane drops to one knee and pounds four on the slog sweep out through midwicket. Really gave that the hammer.

Updated

Half century! Pujara 50 from 135 balls

55th over: India 145-2 (Pujara 50, Rahane 14)

There’s that bounce Lyon was hoping for. Into the pad, over short leg. Pujara advances two balls later and drives four gloriously through wide mid-on. Another milestone for the marathon man.

Updated

54th over: India 141-2 (Pujara 46, Rahane 14)

O’Keefe, another maiden, but this one features a thick edge between slip and the bat-pad on the off side. Rahane survives again. The Australians are getting really frustrated now.

Updated

53rd over: India 141-2 (Pujara 46, Rahane 14)

Huge lbw shout from Lyon. Great delivery, from round the wicket. Curved in, pitched well in line, straightened. In the end it hit him just on the top flap of the pad, and that saved him with the umpire I think. Gould says not out, so Smith doesn’t review. DRS has it smashing leg stump, but still somehow umpire’s call. Rahane sweeps a single from the last ball.

Updated

52nd over: India 140-2 (Pujara 46, Rahane 13)

Another near catch. Pujara tries to turn a ball, gets the leading edge back to O’Keefe but it pitches just short of him. So many of those close chances. It’s a maiden.

Updated

51st over: India 140-2 (Pujara 46, Rahane 13)

Lyon is back. Oh yes, and with a fetching pair of filthy petrol-station shades. Fluorescent yellow, wraparounds. Pujara defends, defends. Might have hurt his hand from one of those gloves deliveries earlier? Seems a bit uncomfortable when one ball gets a bit big on him. Shovels a single to midwicket off the last ball.

Updated

50th over: India 139-2 (Pujara 45, Rahane 13)

O’Keefe pulls up a seat to the campfire. Rolls a smoke. Formulates a plan to do himself in if his sheep-thieving activities are revealed. A couple more singles from his over. One a leg bye.

Updated

49th over: India 137-2 (Pujara 44, Rahane 13)

Another maiden, as Hazlewood camps outside off stump. Lights a little campfire. Boils a billy. Throws a gum leaf in. He knows he’ll be here a while.

Updated

48th over: India 137-2 (Pujara 44, Rahane 13)

O’Keefe is a bowler who I enjoy watching operate. Left-arm around the wicket, curling in toward the off stump, straightening or even turning slightly away. Just repeats that over and over. Pujara knocks a single from the first ball, but what was that I said about Rahane settling? Forget it. He has a massive slog at O’Keefe, the ball turns away from the edge, and beats it into Wade’s gloves. And then out of Wade’s gloves, as it ricochets from the palm up into the air. Smith at slip sprawls to catch the rebound, but I don’t think there was an edge.

Updated

47th over: India 136-2 (Pujara 43, Rahane 13)

Hazlewood back, and his line is all over the place. Too much to leg, Pujara flicks a couple. Very wide of off, left alone. Down leg again, well down, and Wade saves four extras with a dive. Well outside off again. Pujara glides a single from the fifth ball. No threat in that over at all.

Updated

46th over: India 133-2 (Pujara 40, Rahane 13)

Rahane settling a touch. Steps out to drive O’Keefe’s first ball down the ground. Pujara defends three before punching a single to point. No point even asking if Maxwell will bowl any more, is there? But perhaps this is a time for patience, for these Australians. Just keep working away.

Updated

45th over: India 131-2 (Pujara 39, Rahane 12)

Gorgeous stuff from Pujara to start the over. Cummins goes full and straight and Pujara canes it off the pads, by short leg but safely along the ground, and out through midwicket for four. Cummins shifts the line across to just outside off, and camps there for a few deliveries. Pujara is not tempted, and judges the line well when it comes time to defend.

Updated

44th over: India 127-2 (Pujara 35, Rahane 12)

O’Keefe again. Rahane leaves the wide balls, defends the marginal one, comes down to drive a run from the straighter one. Through wide mid-on, not as well placed as Pujara’s last over. Pujara copies Rahane for another single.

Updated

43rd over: India 125-2 (Pujara 34, Rahane 11)

The Over (or Two) of Living Dangerously. Rahane goes under a short ball, then escapes strike with a leg bye. But Pujara puts him straight back in the line of fire by nudging a single to point. Cummins goes for the throat again, and Rahane almost falls over as he yanks the ball to the leg side. Could have gone anywhere. Gets yet another dodgy run.

Updated

42nd over: India 122-2 (Rahane 10, Pujara 33)

Pujara isn’t rattled, you’ll be relieved to know. He probably hasn’t even noticed what’s happening at the other end. Laser Man. He defends O’Keefe’s over, except for one ball where he decides to advance to it and drive through midwicket for four. Even then he doesn’t look like he’s attacking. One of the universe’s enigmas. That’s drinks. Make mine a double.

Updated

41st over: India 118-2 (Rahane 10, Pujara 29)

Invincible Rahane to the wicket. Defends the first ball. Attempts... an uppercut? a ramp? to the next. A short ball, and he just wafted at it above his head. Wasn’t he out that way earlier this series? He’s the captain, his son is Bart. Not a great look to play that way. Third ball, short, whacks a hook shot for four through square. Wasn’t in control of that, just went wildly at it. Last of the over, six in the luckiest fashion, as he expected a bouncer, it didn’t get up, and the weird drag across the line takes a top edge. Thanks to Cummins’ pace, it clears the third man boundary when it deserved to be taken. What a horrific and yet profitable start from Rahane. Invincible indeed.

Updated

WICKET! Rahul c Warner b Cummins 60

Finally, this period of patchiness brings KL Rahul undone. He hasn’t looked at all at ease in the last half hour, and eventually he goes for one shot too many. The ball is wide of off stump, it’s a quick bouncer, and Rahul for reasons best known to him decides to essay a hook shot despite the line. It hits at the toe end of the bat, lobs up in the air, and Warner at cover trots in to take a Home Brand catch.

40th over: India 108-1 (KL Rahul 60, Pujara 29)

O’Keefe rattles through another one. Rahul does not look entirely steady against him. Another attempted cut shot is dragged into the ground. Rahul can only scrub a single from the last ball to square leg.

39th over: India 107-1 (KL Rahul 59, Pujara 29)

Four. Short, wide. Fast from Cummins, but that just means that Rahul’s square cut hits the fence faster. The hundred is up. Glances a single thereafter, then Cummins gets too straight to Pujara to end the over, and it hits the pad to roll away for four leg byes. How much the Australians would like one of these.

38th over: India 98-1 (KL Rahul 54, Pujara 29)

O’Keefe pins Rahul down for four balls, then finally the batsman escapes with a flick through square leg. Perhaps trying to compose himself, the opener. He’s had a frenetic couple of overs.

37th over: India 97-1 (KL Rahul 53, Pujara 29)

Pat Cummins is back. Good pace right from the get-go. Pujara edges the first ball just outside off, and Renshaw fumbles the take at slip on the bounce. They pinch a run. Rahul messes up a drive next ball, but it lands just in front of Lyon at cover. No run with a clean stop. Then Rahul gets a short ball at his ribs and fends it just past short leg. Another single. Three near-misses in an over. The luck is not with the Australians today. And with their tired attack...

36th over: India 95-1 (KL Rahul 52, Pujara 28)

Another rapid-fire O’Keefe over, with three singles from it.

35th over: India 92-1 (KL Rahul 51, Pujara 26)

Pujara defends a couple, ducks a bouncer, then when Hazlewood comes full looking for the lbw the batsman is comfortable flicking square for three. Rahul faces the last ball, it spears in, hits the edge of his bat as he tries to defend. Hazlewood was up appealing for some unknown reason, but the real chance was the ball nearly getting through onto the stumps. It flies away on the bounce wide of slip where Smith leaps across to stop any score. Rahul is the more dynamic of the pair but his end looks like the place where the wicket might come.

Half century! Rahul 51 from 98 balls

34th over: India 89-1 (KL Rahul 51, Pujara 23)

Down the wicket he comes, drives O’Keefe over wide mid on. Ballsy shot there, runs flowing, Rahul feeling the surge of confidence through his veins. Could it bring him undone? Not before he raises that milestone: 64, 10, 90, 51, 67 and now 51 this series. But the third ball of the over nearly sneaks through as he defends, then the last ball nearly bounces onto his stumps as he backs away and under-edges a cut that was too close to his body for the shot to be played.

Lokesh Rahul
Lokesh Rahul has reached his half-century on day two of the fourth Test. Photograph: Tsering Topgyal/AP

Updated

33rd over: India 85-1 (KL Rahul 47, Pujara 23)

Uppercut for four! Lazy, stylish shot from Rahul. You can’t help but look cocky playing that. Hazlewood gave enough width on the bouncer, Rahul leaning away and flips it over gully. Jackson Bird is subbing on the field. Last time he did that he took four catches. Sydney in January, I think it was? Rahul pulls a single to close the over. Another 50 in his sights.

Updated

32nd over: India 80-1 (KL Rahul 42, Pujara 23)

O’Keefe bowls, and that’s not ideal wicketkeeping technique. Turns a lot, but stays very low, so after it beats the edge of Rahul’s bat it shoots through Matthew Wade’s legs behind the wicket. And away for four byes. Sniffer Smith takes a very heavy tumble over the rope at a fine third man trying to catch that one, but comes up from a tangle of rope and foam making every effort not to so much as move a hand towards his shoulder. The camera-snappers wait, holding their collective breath, but there is no scandal to renew. Emboldened, Rahul goes big next ball for six. Over midwicket, slog sweep, just a wallop. No one out there. Then takes a single to keep the strike.

31st over: India 69-1 (KL Rahul 35, Pujara 23)

Did you know that Josh Hazlewood is an anagram for Jaw Old He Oozes? Think about it. He’s attacking Pujara with the short ball, but less menace than the one that hit Rahul’s glove. Then the bowler channels outside off, in that way he does. A touch wider, a touch closer. Searching, scanning, locating, targeting. Target acquired. Brrrrrp. Bouncer, and the Pooje sways away like a stand of bamboo in a strong breeze. Centred. At one. Even as Hazlewood pitches up again, he defends, then plays a wider one to the man at point. A fine maiden.

30th over: India 69-1 (KL Rahul 35, Pujara 23)

Bit of a delay there, as Rahul was hit on the glove defending Hazlewood’s last ball. Gets some repair work from the physio with a lovely close-up of a Band-Aid application. Good tips for young players. That’s how it’s done. Finally O’Keefe comes on to bowl. His second over, after one just before lunch. Landing them quite wide of the stump, which is odd, usually he attacks the leg stump. Pujara uses the width to drive a single square. Rahul drives a couple of balls straight to the field. Wants to move things along here.

29th over: India 68-1 (KL Rahul 35, Pujara 22)

Hazlewood to take it away for this session. Rahul is the batsman, and he too has been so good in this series. Watchful, defending, leaving. Then when the bowler gets just that bit too full, he pounces. Another efficient cover drive. Minimal bat movement. The ball flies away. Four runs.

Indeed, indeed. Thank you, Adam. Hello to everyone else. Geoff here, ready to go. Fire me an email if you’re so inclined: geoff.lemon@theguardian.com. Or shout at me on Twitter via @GeoffLemonSport. The Australians live in dread under the long shadow of Pujara. He can bat until the oceans dry up, until the moon cracks, until the sun is a cold stone in the sky. And this pitch looks pretty decent as a surface. Someone needs to conjure the right delivery.

Updated

LUNCH: India 64-1 (KL Rahul 31, Pujara 22)

Plenty of pressure through that morning session, the characteristic that has defined this series. For Australia, it was a session of what might have been. Hazlewood was outstanding, winning the reward of Vijay’s edge and the visitors only wicket to date.

It was the next over where things could have got really interesting. With the score on 29, India should have lost Rahul as well after Cummins also won an edge. Renshaw went to his left at slip but barely got a hand to it, much to the bowler’s dismay.

Instead of heading back to the sheds, Rahul grew in confidence as the session wore on with Pujara picking up where he left off last week. Especially against the spin of Lyon, the Indian no. 3 comfortable from the outset.

And that’s where I’ll leave you for now for a bite to eat myself. Geoff Lemon is ready to go, taking the baton for the second session before JP Howcroft drives the OBO home after tea. Bye now.

28th over: India 64-1 (KL Rahul 31, Pujara 22). Lyon has the last over before the break. Rahul knows his job here, down the track and defending. He picks up one to square leg when the spinner is a fraction straight, ensuring that he will be there for a sandwich. Pujara does the rest. And that is lunch.

27th over: India 63-1 (KL Rahul 30, Pujara 22). O’Keefe on for one over before the break, Cummins to rest. Pujara knows his method well, having kicked away the spinner for the better part of two days last week. But he’s using his bat from the get go here, a lovely drive through cover, splitting the two men patrolling that region. Four runs. Satisfied with that, Pujara is back into the defensive posture that we have become so familiar with in this series.

26th over: India 59-1 (KL Rahul 30, Pujara 18). Conscious that the clock is ticking ahead of lunch, Lyon races through this over to Pujara. Much as it has been in their battle to date, the offie gives it plenty of air and Pujara responds in defence after getting well forward. He breaks that pattern to the last ball, turning into midwicket for a single to keep the strike.

Victoria have lost a second wicket in the Shield final, Harris picked up by Mennie for 120. They’re 2/224, both wickets falling on that score.

25th over: India 58-1 (KL Rahul 30, Pujara 17). Nup, it’s Cummins again. His ten over of the session. Hmm. It has been a very good spell since swinging around to the southern end. Pujara is onto him first up here though, through square leg for a couple. Would have gone for four if not for some committed fielding from Hazlewood. To Pujara, he takes a wider approach, the batsman leaving three in a row before getting off strike with a tickle to fine leg. To end the over, Cummins best short ball of the spell, spitting back at Rahul. Good batting in response, dropping his gloves just in the nick of time.

The good people at Guerilla Cricket have another to the 150+ club. “South Africa’s Chris Morris, with his Patrick Patterson action.”

24th over: India 55-1 (KL Rahul 30, Pujara 14). Nathan ‘Nathan’ Lyon to Pujara. The Indian no. 3 is defending with some ease, then has the time to adjust for a steer behind point for one. Two further singles are exchanged between the two ending the over, down the ground from Rahul then behind square Pujura. No Steve O’Keefe yet this morning. Will he replace Cummins?

23rd over: India 52-1 (KL Rahul 29, Pujara 12). Another maiden, three on the spin. Cummins this time. It’s a good over again, well constructed. A couple there that Rahul has to quickly assess before leaving. He went upstairs and collected the splice. On the stumps on a good length. Probably the end of his spell though, he’s bowled plenty this morning and will be needed for many more overs through the afternoon.

A note in from Honor Harger. “Enthralling cricket this is,” not wrong. “Would you reckon that Pat Cummins is right up there with the fastest bowlers in the world right now? Who else would you say consistently bowls 92 miles an hour?”

Not wrong. Starc and Rabada jump out as hitting 150kph. Indeed, Starc has been clocked at 160kph. Who else? I must be missing somoene.

22nd over: India 52-1 (KL Rahul 29, Pujara 12). Good batting from Pujara. Making a strong stride forward to each of Lyon’s deliveries, but playing late enough to adjust. So when one spat through and another took considerable turn, neither caused any major issues. Maiden it is.

Australia’s David Warner
Australia’s David Warner zings in a throw from the deep. Photograph: Tsering Topgyal/AP

Updated

21st over: India 52-1 (KL Rahul 29, Pujara 12). It will be hard for Cummins to get out of his mind the dropped chance from Rahul. Doubly so when the Indian opener leans into a glorious straight drive. In doing so, India’s 50 is up. Earlier in the over, he tried to play a lavish drive through cover but didn’t make contact. Much as it was with Vijay and Hazlewood earlier on, how this contest plays out could have a significant effect on the trajectory of this day.

20th over: India 48-1 (KL Rahul 25, Pujara 12). Lyon again top Pujara. He’s very happy to come down the track to the spinner, much as he was in Ranchi. A couple down the ground to begin. A pattern emerges for the rest of the over, Lyon on a good length and Pujara content in defence.

19th over: India 46-1 (KL Rahul 25, Pujara 10). That will infuriate Cummins! He gets up on Rahul’s hip and he isn’t on top of the shot. But it doesn’t go to short leg nor leg slip, splitting the two of them. It also beats fine leg. So, instead of a grabbing a wicket the Aussie quick has conceded a boundary. He’s back onto the stumps thereafter. But expect to see him back on Rahul’s body soon enough.

18th over: India 41-1 (KL Rahul 21, Pujara 9). A huge shout of caaaaaaatch cries out though the effects mic, Matt Wade hoping that Rahul’s sweep out to square leg might find one of the two sweepers in that general direction. But he’s bisected them. In the air, and didn’t get all of it, but he does get four runs. A rare boundary. A late cut from the same batsmen will encourage Lyon, running off the splice.

17th over: India 34-1 (KL Rahul 15, Pujara 8). Right, so it is Cummins again. His third spell of the day, this time from the southern end to replace Hazlewood after an excellent seven over shift to start the day. Accurate restart, shelving the short-pitched strategy that defined his earlier efforts today. Tight cricket.

16th over: India 33-1 (KL Rahul 15, Pujara 7). Cummins off again, in favour of Lyon. Good batting in response, Rahul taking him behind square for one. Quick single follows from Pujara. Hard for the spinner to get into the groove. But he does well to get back into the over, pinning Rahul back for the rest of his set.

15th over: India 31-1 (KL Rahul 14, Pujara 6). Oh, it is Hazlewood again. Thought they’d give him a break, but to be fair he has been the man most likely this morning. He’s still getting plenty of lift as Pujara shoulders arms. Three slips and a gully in place for him here. It’s a very good over, giving him a couple to look at in the corridor, then a couple on the stumps to defend. A bouncer in there too. It’s a maiden.

14th over: India 31-1 (KL Rahul 14, Pujara 6). Every over has an urgency about it this morning. Australia, through Cummins this time around, charging in. A superb bouncer nearly hits Rahul swaying underneath. In comes a leg slip, just to keep him honest. But he gets through the inquisition. That’s been a compelling hour of Test cricket as they nip off for a drink.

13th over: India 30-1 (KL Rahul 14, Pujara 5). Hazlewood again, his sixth over this spell. Probably his last too. Not a lot wrong, but sprays the final ball down the legside with Pujara getting something on it. A single keeps him the strike. Been a fine spell.

12th over: India 29-1 (KL Rahul 14, Pujara 4). That is DROPPED! KL Rahul gets a chance when Renshaw moves tentatively to his left at first slip, as though he expected Wade to jump in front of him. It’s a bad error in judgment if that was what he thought; it’s very much the young man’s catch. I should add, it is Cummins back in operation from the southern end. After three overs of short stuff from him earlier today, he won the chance from this full delivery tailing away from the Indian opener. A lesson in that, perhaps. The rest of the over is quick but safely defended and watched by Rahul. That would have been huge. Woulda, shoulda, coulda.

11th over: India 25-1 (KL Rahul 10, Pujara 4). Hazlewood would have known that his window was going to close soon, into the fifth over of an excellent spell. It was essential that he got Vijay before taking a break. With that job done, it’s Pujara out there now. Following his double ton in Ranchi last week he has jumped to second place on the ICC’s batting rankings. And the shot he plays to open his account today reflects that fact, a classic cover drive.

WICKET! Vijay c Wade b Hazlewood 11 (India 21-1)

There it is! After beating Vijay outside that off-stump a couple of times, then winning an edge in the previous over, he finally gets his man. It’s the quintessential Hazlewood dismissal, short of a length and moving away, a thin edge gloved by Wade. Thoroughly earned.

Australia’s Josh Hazlewood celebrates
Australia’s Josh Hazlewood celebrates after dismissing India’s Murali Vijay. Photograph: Adnan Abidi/Reuters

Updated

10th over: India 21-0 (KL Rahul 10, Vijay 11). Lyon races through his set to Rahul. The first delivery is the most threatening, winning an inside edge. But runs into the batsman’s pads rather than the stumps, in keeping with the theme of Australia’s morning. Nearly, but not quite. Lyon is happy to give it a bit of air, but Rahul not yet tempted.

9th over: India 21-0 (KL Rahul 10, Vijay 11). Josh Hazlewood doing everything but getting in the book. This is a superb spell. Vijay had to play at a ball pitching in line and moving away. There’s an edge towards Wade, but the opener has played it as well as he can with soft hands. It falls short. Earlier in the over, he lashed a cover drive to the rope when Hazlewood was ever so slightly full. Early days, but this is shaping up as a crucial contest.

8th over: India 17-0 (KL Rahul 10, Vijay 7). Spin it is to replace Cummins after just the three overs. Not what Smith would have been hoping for a half hour ago. Lyon given the first opportunity from the tweakers. And that makes sense given the bounce and carry in the track we’ve seen so far. But first ball, Rahul has played the shot of the morning. Advancing from the crease, he lays into a full-blooded drive on the up, bisecting the field and out to the rope. Lovely. A subsequent single gets Vijay up the business end, with Lyon reverting to round the wicket when he’s on strike. All a bit defensive, no? Anyway, a single to midwicket means Vijay retains the strike.

7th over: India 11-0 (KL Rahul 5, Vijay 6). Hazlewood v Vijay. Another very tidy over from the big quick, forcing the batsman to make a decision to play or leave each time. Vijay’s judgment is sound throughout. His third maiden in four overs. Good contest.

6th over: India 11-0 (KL Rahul 5, Vijay 6). It’s clear that Cummins fancies himself against Rahul with the short ball. He’s upstairs again to start the over. A push into the posh side from a ball short of a length gets him off strike. Fuller to Vijay, he turns into square leg for another. Interesting to see how they use Cummins today with no seaming all-rounder to turn to as first change.

5th over: India 9-0 (KL Rahul 4, Vijay 5). An absolute beauty from Hazlewood to Vijay starts the over. Pitches middle and off, moves away off the seam, somehow doesn’t clip the stump after beating the edge. They look at each other at the end of bowlers follow through, share a bit of a shrug. Later in the set, he beats him again, fending at a delivery short of a length. He’s on here. But it’ll count for nothing unless the early breakthrough comes.

An email from Amod Paranjape. “This is my first email since I heard of Dan Lucas leaving us. How he would have enjoyed this series, mate.”

Thanks Amod. You’re not wrong, Dan would have been all over this. His beloved Northampton Saints issued their own tribute to him overnight. I’ll try and get hold of that and share in here before the session is out.

4th over: India 9-0 (KL Rahul 4, Vijay 5). Cummins keen to test out Rahul short of a length then. Wade was required to make a goalkeepers’ save to the best of the set. Serious pace there.

3rd over: India 9-0 (KL Rahul 4, Vijay 5). So close! Vijay checks a drive but it balloons out to Warner at mid-off. He puts in a body-length dive, grabbing it on the half volley. Perhaps a foot in that. He’s on strike due to another committed dive, Lyon making plenty of ground from square leg to prevent the first ball of Hazlewood’s day going to the rope. Hazlewood responds with a bouncer, of course. But to end the over Vijay is back driving again, far more convincing than earlier in the over. It’s a blistering stroke, the batsman staying in his pose until the ball crashed into the advertising boards.

2nd over: India 2-0 (KL Rahul 1, Vijay 1). Immediately off the mark, Vijay pushes into the covers. Maxwell misfields to ensure safe passage. Then Rahul gets off the mark himself tucking one behind square. Cummins then finds his length, Vijay carefully watching the rest of the opening over of the day.

Victoria off to a very good start in the Shield Final at Alice Springs.

The players are out on the field.

Pat Cummins has the new ball in his hand at the Southern End. He’ll be steaming in at Murali Vijay. A massive morning for Australia. Here we go.

The modern age.

Serenity.

Dirk Nannes has returned from a look at the track. He shares Wade’s assessment that a few of those cracks are going to open up and could make it harder than it appears out there today. He also reflected on the serenity. Of course, in the Darryl Kerrigan twang. Next month it’ll 20 years since The Castle was released. Dwell on that for a moment.

... so much serenity.

Welcome to day two from Dharamsala!

You couldn’t dream up a more stunning morning than the one we have here today at HPCA Stadium. The views up to Dhauladhar Range aren’t impeded by a single cloud.

But inner harmony will only be possible for Steve Smith today if his bowlers can take ten Indian wickets. It’s that simple if the Australians are to retain parity going into the second innings of this decider.

The track looks a real treat from 80 metres away, but Matt Wade was keen to point out last night in his media conference that this pitch will misbehave sooner rather than later off some slight cracking.

Looking forward to your company through the morning session to see if Cummins, Hazlewood and co can leave a proper dent before the locals get busy. Email or twitter, you know the drill. Peace be with you.

🙏🏻

Adam will be here shortly. In the meantime, get a recap on day one of the fourth Test here:

https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2017/mar/25/india-australia-gavaskar-cricket-fourth-test

Updated

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