It was an amazing performance from the Indian batsmen as they finished the first day of the second test match at Brisbane on 311/4. On a pitch that had enough in it to trouble the batsman every time the Indians did put up a great show. It was only the second time in the history of the ground that a visiting team had crossed the three hundred run mark on the first day at GABBA, the only other occasion being in 1960-61 when the West Indian
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side scored above 350.
Indian captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni who is making a comeback into the side after missing out the first test won the toss and decided to bat first despite the fact that it had lot of bounce and pace in it. Indian openers paid back their skipper’s faith when they put on a 50-run partnership for the first wicket only for the second time since 2011. However they couldn’t convert that good start into a better one for Shikhar Dhawan (24) yet again gave away his wicket while flashing wide outside off-stump. Pujara and Vijay then made sure that India went into lunch with the loss of 1 wicket only.
In the post-lunch session India tried make capital of the good solid start provided by the openers and pile on the runs. But the Australian bowlers made a strong comeback picking up Pujara and Kohli within a short span of time. Pujara (18) yet again got a dubious decision from the umpire when he was given out caught behind when the ball had only hit his helmet. Kohli (15) got out due to some extra bounce while trying to play a square cut very close to his body. After the fall of Kohli, Vijay who looked solid at the
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other end along with Ajinkya Rahane took charge of the proceedings. Vijay then went on to make his 5th test match century, fourth against the Australians. Rahane got to his fifty after that. But India would have liked to see Vijay and Rahane coming out to bat on the second day morning. But Vijay gave away his wicket while he nicked one off Nathan Lyon to Haddin while batting on 144. Since then Rohit Sharma had come in and looked a bit more settled than his previous two outings. Rahane is still there unbeaten on 72.
It was a great innings from Murali Vijay although he was dropped twice, both chances being merely half chances. Also with the scorching sun overhead the Australian bowlers did find it hard to bowl properly. Mitchell Marsh had to leave the field for an injury. Then Josh Hazlewood, the debutant had to leave due to some cramps in the calf muscles. Also Mitchell Johnson did not look comfortable while he was in his final spell as he clutching his back at times while walking back to his bowling mark after the new bowl had been taken. Keeping all these in mind there is no denying the fact that Murali Vijay played an excellent innings and he seems to be the most improved player among the whole Indian team besides Virat Kohli.
Tags: India vs Australia Brisbane test Murli Vijay Ajinkya Rahane Virat Kohli
