Dharamsala [India]: Australian off-spinner Nathan Lyon bagged four wickets in the final session to leave India in a spot of bother at 248-6 at stumps on Day Two of the series-deciding Test at the Himachal Pradesh Cricket Association ( HPCA) Stadium here on Sunday.
In reply to Australia’s first-innings score of 300, opener KL Rahul (60) smashed his fifth fifty in six innings in this series while Cheteshwar Pujara (57) continued his magnificent form with his 15th half-centuries.
The duo also shared a solid 87-run partnership for the second wicket to help the home side reach 153-2 at tea.
However, soon after the tea, Lyon dismissed Pujara, Karun Nair (five), Ajinkya Rahane (46) and Ravichandran Ashwin (30) to put Australia back on track in their hunt for an elusive Test series win in India.
Besides Lyon, Josh Hazlewood and Pat Cummins also chipped in with a wicket each.
At the end of the day’s play, Wriddhiman Saha (unbeaten at 10) and Ravindra Jadeja (unbeaten at 16) were batting at the crease, with India still trailing by 53 runs.
Earlier, skipper Steve Smith proved why he is world number one Test batsman as he struck a 111-run knock including 14 boundaries to guide Australia reach a 300-run mark.
David Warner (56) and Mathew Wade (57) were other notable contributors for the visitors.
For India, debutant Kuldeep Yadav was the pick of the bowlers for his figures of four for 68. (ANI)