India sniff victory, Australia reeling at 101/6

Bengaluru: India sniffed a series-levelling victory as they left Australia reeling at 101 for six in their chase of 188 in the second cricket Test of Border-Gavaskar Trophy here today.

At the break, Peter Handscomb and Mitchell Starc were faced with an onerous task of negotiating a determined Indian attack on a difficult pitch at the M Chinnaswamy Stadium.

The visitors were another 87 runs from the target with four wickets in hands to retain the trophy.

Leading the four-match series 1-0, Australia had bowled out India for 274 in the second innings with pacer Josh Hazlewood (6/67) doing the bulk of damage in the first session.

The chase was always going to be tough for the visitors on a surface assisting turn and pace, and with variable bounce.

The Indian bowlers, led by Ravichandran Ashwin and Umesh Yadav, rattled the Australian top-order.

Ashwin, who had just one wicket in the first innings, picked up three for 35, including those of David Warner (17), Mitchell Marsh (13) and Mathew Wade (0).

Ashwin has so far got Warner nine times in 10 matches.

Umesh (2/26) struck in first over of his second spell when he removed Shaun Marsh (9) leg before wicket.

The pacer then, in his fifth over, sent back Aussie captain Steve Smith (28) leg before wicket, which was followed by a bit of drama. Smith first turned to the non-striker’s end to seek an opinion and sparks flew when the umpires noticed that the batsman had turned towards the dressing room as well.

They immediately intervened to stop Smith but matters came to a head when Virat Kohli too joined in to speak to the officials.

Ishant Sharma (1/28) gave India the first breakthrough when he sent back Mathew Renshaw for five. The left-hander, who had scored a dogged 60 runs in the first innings, fell cheaply for 4, leaving Australia at 22 for one.

Ashwin bagged his first wicket when he trapped Warner leg before, who reviewed it but the third umpire’s decision went against him.

Umesh then removed Shaun Marsh, who did not offer a shot to leave Australia struggling at 67 for three. The next three wickets fell for 17 runs.

Earlier, Australia wrested the initiative with six wickets for 36 runs as India set the visitors a tricky target.

Hazlewood (6/67) and Starc (2/74) were the wrecker-in-chiefs in the first session, cutting short India’s second innings in 97.1 overs.

India had scored 189 in first innings after opting to bat. In reply, Australia scored 276 in their first innings, taking a lead of 87 runs.