Honours were fairly even at the conclusion of day one, with perhaps Australia just with their nose in front. Not much had changed by the time we reached the end of day two, though perhaps India had just snuck ahead after an excellent unbroken third wicket partnership had gotten them to 3/172 after a shaky start, and their two batsmen set and seemingly in control.
Australia would have been fairly pleased with their morning’s work, adding another 49 runs to their overnight total before being bowled out for 326. Skipper Tim Paine and underrated batsman Pat Cummins did a good job in the first hour, despite being consistently beaten outside the off stump again from more excellent bowling from the Indian pacemen. They may even have felt they had broken the backs of the bowling when they were still together at the drinks break, but once undone by Yadav for 19 the end came quickly. Bumrah ended another Paine specialty, once again halting a slide in the middle order to post another valuable innings of 38, which is almost precisely what he averages in Test cricket. While he may not be a Gilchrist or Hadden with the bat he more than does his job and keeps doing it. The final two wickets fell in successive deliveries on 326, which at least gave the Australians a couple of overs before the lunch break, which Vijay failed to negotiate as Starc bowled him neck and crop for a duck.
The Aussies kept at it after the break, with Hazlewood doing for Rahul with a beauty to bowl him for 2. Pujara and Kohli settled and took the score to 82 before Starc returned and found Pujara’s edge to send him on his way for 24.
Despite this, the final session belonged to India, and in particular their captain. Virat Kohli may have not scored as many runs as he would have liked in the 1st Test, but here he had the demeanour of a batsman that was not going to be dismiss or cowed in any way. He bided his time, accepting the good deliveries that came his way, but as soon as anything was over pitched or too short he was on it like a shot. It was pure Test batting from one of the current best exponents of the craft and was fascinating to watch. Alongside him Ajinkya Rahane played as he always does as well, preferring to take a more attacking frame of mind but still wary of the outcome. Between them the pair blunted the afternoon bowling of the Australians, making them work hard on a wicket that now seemed devoid of any devils. Perhaps it was just the way Kohli played that made it seem that way. Whatever people may think of him and the way he plays the game he is a wonderful study to watch when he bats.
The game stands at the same crossroads as yesterday with no further idea as to which way the game may turn. Perhaps by the end of day three we will have a better idea. If the cricket remains this good, in the long run most of us won’t care, because at the moment Test cricket has returned to its glory days where every session is unmissable.
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