Images from Day 1 of the second Test between India and Australia, at the Arun Jaitley stadium in Delhi, on Friday.
Mohammed Shami took four wickets even as the spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja tormented Australia as India comfortably took the honours on Day 1 of the second Test, at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, in Delhi, on Friday.
At close of play India were 21 without no loss after dismissing Australia for 263 in the first innings.
Skipper Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul were undefeated on 13 and 4 respectively when the final session ended.
India trail the visitors by 242 runs.
Earlier, seasoned seamer Shami finished with four wickets for 60 runs as Australia were once again undone by India's slow bowling. Ashwin (3/57) and Jadeja (3/68) also played a leading hand in the vicitors' demolition.
For Australia, Usman Khawaja (81) and Peter Handscomb (72 not out) made substantial contributions.
Shami (14.4-4-60-4) must be given credit for the way he bowled after Rohit intruduced him from the other end in the first session.
His repertoire of deliveries were on full display as he struck with the new, semi-new and old ball, while Ashwin (21-4-57-3) and Jadeja (21-2-68-3) came up with breakthroughs just when the Australians seemed to be gaining foothold of the proceedings.
The highlight on Friday’s play was Rahul's brilliant catch at point off a powerful reverse sweep by Khawaja. That athletic effort not just broke the 59-run sixth-wicket partnership between Khawaja and Peter Handscomb but also halted Australia's charge.
The pitch was a typical slow turner but had better carry than the Nagpur wicket and it did help Khawaja, as he was able to hit through the line during his knock that was studded with 12 fours and a six.
Mohammed Siraj, despite going wicketless, deserves credit for softening up David Warner, who struggled during his 50-run stand with Khawaja. Two short balls -- one hitting the Australian opener on the elbow and the other flush on the helmet -- did unnerve the opener.
Morning session:
Earlier, Ashwin struck twice late in the first session, after Shami provided the breakthrough, to reduce Australia to 94 for 3 at lunch.
India’s senior off-spinner (2 for 29) bagged the prized scalps of Marnus Labuschagne (18) and Steve Smith (0) in the 23rd over after Shami (1 for 31) dismissed opener David Warner for 15.
Khawaja (50 not out) was in the middle with Travis Head (1) at the break.
Unlike the first Test, openers Khawaja and Warner gave Australia a slow, but steady start. Warner played the anchor's role while Khawaja went in search of boundaries. The pair brought up their 50-run stand in just 13.5 overs.
Pacer Mohammed Shami broke the partnership in the 16th over, dismissing Warner for 15, which came off 44 balls.
The left-hander's terrible run of scores in India continued with yet another disappointing knock that ended when he nicked the ball to wicketkeeper Srikar Bharat.
Australia were 50 for 1 then.
Marnus Labuschagne, the world's No. 1 Test batter, was next up at the crease. He continued his good touch, hitting four delightful boundaries.
However, Ashwin played spoilsport, putting an end to his knock of 18 off 25 balls, by trapping him leg-before-wicket.
It was Ashwin’s 700th wicket in first class cricket.
Ashwin had a loud shout for leg before wicket turned down against Labuschagne, who took a big stride across trying to work it on the leg side but missed and was struck in front.
Skipper Rohit Sharma took the review. Ashwin, from round the wicket, got the ball to pitch just outside the line of off-stump. The impact was in line and the ball was going to hit the middle of leg stump and the decision was overturned.
Australia were reduced to 91 for 2, after the 41-run stand between Khawaja and Labuschagne came to an end.
Ashwin struck again two balls later, dismissing Steve Smith for a two-ball duck and the visitors were reduced to 91 for 3.
Khawaja brought up his half-century off 71 balls, his 20th in the longer format. He and Travis took Australia through the remainder of the session without any further damage.
Post-Lunch session:
India's bowlers continued to chip away at the wickets, picking three in the second session, as Australia went to tea on 199 for 6 in 56 overs.
Australia scored 105 runs in 31 overs in the session.
Peter Handscomb (batting 36) and Pat Cummins (batting 23) were holding fort for the visitors at the break.
Resuming their innings at 94 for 3, Australia started well, as Usman Khawaja attacked the Indian bowlers all around the ground while taking singles at regular intervals.
The opener hammered Ravindra Jadeja for 12 runs while slamming three fours in the 39th over of the innings.
The duo of Khawaja and Peter Handscomb piled on the runs, stealing singles to keep the scoreboard running.
However, Jadeja then delivered a stunning delivery to provide India a much-needed wicket as he dismissed Khawaja for 81, which came off 125 deliveries.
K L Rahul took a one-handed stunner off Jadeja's delivery to send the well-set Khawaja back to the pavilion.
Ravichandran Ashwin then continued from where he left at lunch, dismissing Alex Carey for zero in the 47th over.
Carey looked to defend but the ball turned sharply and bounced quite a bit to take the edge, which was easily held by Virat Kohli at slip.
Those two quick wickets saw Australia slump to 168/6 in 47 overs.
Handscomb then joined hands with Pat Cummins and together they guided Australia to 199 for without further loss at tea.
