India collapse in Bangalore, Australia set tricky chase
Australia celebrate one of Josh Hazlewood's wickets. Photo: AAP
Australia face a tricky chase of 188 to win the second Test against India in Bangalore after Josh Hazlewood and Mitchell Starc starred in Tuesday’s first session.
India, who resumed at 4-213, were bowled out for 274 just before lunch (local time), with the second new ball proving crucial.
Hazlewood (6-67) led the way for the tourists while Starc (2-74) produced a vital double-salvo to set up what should be an enthralling finish.
The uneven bounce and generous spin the pitch is providing will give India plenty of hope, with Australia required to show the same grit and fight they displayed in the first innings to win the Test – and the Border-Gavaskar Trophy as a result.
A chase of under 200 looked highly unlikely when Cheteshwar Pujara (92) and Ajinkya Rahane (52) added a further 25 runs to the overnight score.
But Starc turned the game on its head, first removing Rahane lbw after a successful review, before he snapped Karun Nair’s leg stump in two with the very next ball.
His hat-trick ball was unsuccessful but the wickets kept tumbling for Australia, as Hazlewood got in on the act in the very next over.
First, he removed key man Pujara when he spooned a catch to Mitch Marsh at gully and Hazlewood then added the wicket of Ravi Ashwin (4) when an inswinging delivery kept incredibly low.
That gave Hazlewood his fifth five-wicket haul at Test level and he snared a sixth wicket when Umesh Yadav (1) picked out David Warner at mid-off.
A frustrating 16-run partnership followed for India, though, as Wriddhiman Saha (20 not out) and Ishant Sharma (6) combined for some crucial runs.
India’s resistance ended after a series of half-chances when newly introduced Steve O’Keefe (2-36) had Sharma caught at short cover.
Australia enter their chase knowing the highest successful one in Bangalore came in 2012 when India, set 261 for victory, beat New Zealand by five wickets.