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Clarke and Siddle batted with determination
Australian batsmen frustrated Indian bowlers with determined batting before being bowled out for 380 in their first innings on the second day of the first Test against the hosts, in Chennai on Saturday.
The chances were far and few as Michael Clarke and Peter Siddle batted with determination. The nearest Clarke came close to getting out was when while coming forward his uppish defensive shot went towards silly point Cheteshwar Pujara, who could not held on to the half-chance.
Veteran Sachin Tendulkar showed glimpses of his vintage form with a fluent unbeaten half-century as India recovered from two early jolts to leave the first Test against Australia in Chennai evenly poised after the second day's play.
Jadeja claims the wicket of Clarke
Clarke and Siddle kept the Indian bowlers at bay for about 90 minutes before the Australian captain went for an extravagant shot off Ravindra Jadeja, miscued it and gave the hosts a chance to clean up the tail.
Clarke stepped out to loft Jadeja over his head for a straight six but just managed an edge that flew to the hands of Bhuvaneshwar Kumar at long-off.
Clarke's splendid 130-run captain's knock came off 246 balls with 13 boundaries including one shot over the fence. It also ended 54-run fighting stand between him Siddle (19).
Finally, a wicket for Harbhajan!
Harbhajan Singh's long wait to get a wicket ended when he had Siddle caught at first slip. Playing his 100th Test and going wicket-less on the opening day, it took the off-spinner the last ball of his 24th over to get his first.
Relief was palpable on the face of the 'turbanator' when a bespectacled Virender Sehwag finally held on to a catch.
However, Siddle did a fantastic job for his side, facing 94 balls during his stay, supporting his skipper well.
Harbhajan was extremely unlucky to not get next-man-in Pattinson out leg before in his next over as umpire Kumar Dharamsena turned down the confident appeal.
It was a faster delivery, hitting the back pad of Pattinson in front of the stumps but Dharamsena was unmoved, leading to an argument between a livid Harbhajan and the umpire.
Australia bowled out for 380
R Ashwin had Nathan Lyon plumb in front of the wicket but yet again Dharamsena thought otherwise. However, four balls later, Lyon played the sweep but was caught by Virat Kohli at leg slip to end the Australian innings.
Australia were bowled out for 380 in their first innings.
Ashwin claims career-best figures
Ashwin registered his career-best figures as he finished with seven for 103.
Jadeja gave him good support as he claimed two for 71 but Australia's tail scored some valuable runs to boost their total on a slow wicket.
Resuming at 316 for 7, the visitors resisted home attack for 38 overs and added 64 runs although a few decision went in their favour which further added to India's frustration.
India openers perish cheaply
India were jolted by a couple of early blows but recovered to reach 84 for two in their first innings at the tea interval.
India did not get off to the best of starts as openers Virender Sehwag and Murali Vijay (2) departed in close succession.
Vijay and Sehwag were dismissed by James Pattinson, who bowled just three overs in the post lunch session.
Vijay was the first to go after a 15-ball stay, which included two fours, done in by Pattinson's pace as he inside edged one back on to his stumps.
Sehwag fails again
Sehwag quickly followed his partner back to the pavilion, as he defended a short ball from Pattinson but it bounced once before going back to clips the bails.
He was dismissed for 10.
Tendulkar, Pujara steady India
But Pujara and Tendulkar steadied the rocking boat, bringing up the team's 50 in the 13th over. The two displayed patience but at the same time kept the scoreboard ticking.
They completed a half-century stand for the third wicket in 68 deliveries to rescue India from the precarious position.
India reach 84 for two at tea break
Pujara struck five fours, one more than Tendulkar, who survived a close leg before appeal from spinner Nathan Lyon.
At the break, Cheteshwar Pujara (33) and Sachin Tendulkar (38) were at the crease for the home team.
Pattinson scalps Pujara
Just when Tendulkar and Pujara seemed to be crusing along comfortably, Pattinson provided the breakthrough when he came back for his second spell by accounting for the latter.
Pujara was bowled by an incoming delivery for 44 in the 29th over after striking six fours in his 76-ball stay at the crease. He put on 93 runs for the third wicket with Tendulkar as the duo repaired the innings after some early damage.
'It was a real pleasure watching him bat'
Tendulkar brought up his 67th half-century in Test cricket from 80 deliveries and got a huge ovation from his beloved Chennai crowd.
The veteran also achieved another milestone by surpassing 7,000 runs on home turf.
"Sachin, when he got to bat, he was on the mark facing the first ball itself and hit three boundaries in the first over itself. So, he was looking positive. I have not seen him in such a kind of positive mindset. It was a real pleasure watching him bat," Pujara said of Tendulkar's batting.
Warner entertains the crowd
David Warner provided the entertainment on the field with some brilliant saves. He made a couple of full length dives to save certain boundaries and also had a couple of close run out calls while also delighting the crowd with his dance moves in between overs.
Kohli scores fluent fifty
Kohli also adopted a positive approach right from the outset and stroked his way to a fifty.
He was unbeaten on 50 from 84 balls, having hit seven boundaries to help India make a strong reply with the bat.
India 182-3 at stumps on Day 2
India reached 182 for three in 52 overs in their first innings at close.
Tendulkar (71 not out) and Virat Kohli (50 not out) were at the crease when stumps were drawn with India still trailing by 198 runs. The two have so far added 77 runs for the fourth wicket.
With three days left in the game, India will look to come close to the Australian total and then push to seize the initiative.