Match Blog: Smith Falls to Jadeja; Renshaw Scores 50; Aus 115/2

Matt Renshaw brings up his second fifty of the series in 183 balls. He has worked very hard for his runs and applied himself brilliantly. The Indian bowlers have tried everything but Renshaw has kept chipping away.

Australia has reduced the deficit to 74 runs now. India desperately need a wicket.

They could have got one in the 57th over when Umesh Yadav managed to get the ball to brush Shaun Marsh’s gloves. The Indians appealed and the umpire turned them down.

The home side decided not to go for a review but the replays showed that the ball had brushed the glove on route to Saha behind the stumps.

Australia: 115/2 after 60 overs.

In the second session, the Indians should have come out and put more pressure on the Australians because the pitch at Bengaluru is deteriorating at quick rate. But Shaun Marsh (10) and Matt Renshaw (42) are looking pretty comfortable at the crease.

Marsh found Australia’s first boundary in 37 overs when he swept Ashwin to the fence in the 54th over.

Australia: 101/2 after 54 overs.

The Indian bowlers have come out to play with a lot of intent this morning. They were on the opposition’s face throughout the first session and also picked up two important wickets – David Warner and Steve Smith.

But, Matt Renshaw is playing a classic Test match innings. He has scored 40 runs off 144 balls so far.

In the next two sessions, the ball is certainly going to turn even more, therefore Ashwin and Jadeja will be lethal if they bowl in the right areas.

Steve Smith toiled and toiled but finally cracked to a delivery by Ravindra Jadeja. The Australian captain nicks the ball onto his pads and then it loops up for Saha to take a diving catch.

Smith goes for 8 runs off 52 balls.

Australia: 83/2 after 42 overs.

Australia’s skipper Steve Smith goes for a pull shot for a delivery which is not short enough and the ball hits his pads. The Indians go up for an appeal and the umpire calls not out.

The Indian team go for a review and the replays show that the ball would have just clipped the leg stump and therefore the decision stands (umpire’s call).

Things are getting heated up in the middle. Virat Kohli and Steve Smith are having talks like two boxers would have before a bout. And even Ishant Sharma chipped in with a few words for Matt Renshaw.

Australia: 61/1 after 30 overs.

And Ravichandran Ashwin is in action already! The off-spinner bowls a classic off-spinner and hits the top of off-stump to bowl out David Warner for 33 runs.

Australia lose their first wicket. India have to keep picking up wickets if they want to stay in the game.

India: 52/1 after 21.1 overs.

Good morning!

Welcome to the coverage of day two of the second Test between India and Australia from Bengaluru. Australia had a fantastic day on Saturday. They bundled India out for just 189 runs and then David Warner and Matt Renshaw made sure they didn’t lose their wickets at the close of play.

Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja will be the key bowlers for India today. They will have to find a way to get into their rhythm quickly and apply constant pressure on the Australians like their opposite numbers Steve O'Keefe and Nathan Lyon.

Here’s what our cricket expert Nishant Arora had to say after the day’s pay on Saturday.