Australia were 273 for seven at the end of second day after rain had washed out the first day without even the toss taking place at the Punjab Cricket Association Stadium. An inspired Ishant Sharma spell with the old ball and the consistency of Ravindra Jadeja ensured that Australia could not cash in on what was their best top-order batting display in this series so far. Sharma's two for 41 and Jadeja's three for 56 were enough to help India claw back despite a big opening stand between David Warner and Ed Cowan and a determined effort by Steve Smith (58 n.o) later in the day.
Earlier, Michael Clarke opted to bat first on a bright and sunny Mohali morning after a gloomy first day. Openers Ed Cowan and David Warner played cautiously in the first session to get Australia off to a good start. Curbing his attacking instincts, Warner focussed on setting up a platform with Cowan. While the diminutive explosive batsman reached his half-century before lunch, Cowan was seven short of his at the end of the first session as they diligently put together 109 runs.
The duo approached the second session with same tenacity as the Indian bowlers toiled hard without much success. They seemed to be shaping the session their way when Ravindra Jadeja dealt a massive double-blow by dismissing Warner and Clarke off consecutive deliveries. The all-rounder, who has been successful with the ball throughout the series, gave India the much needed respite. MS Dhoni running forward took a great catch to send back Warner for 71. Clarke, who replaced him in the middle, walked back without adding to the total as he misread a Jadeja delivery and stepped out only to be stumped off the first ball he faced. And 12 runs later, Pragyan Ojha followed up with the wicket of Phillip Hughes to leave the visitors on 151 for three.
Meanwhile, Cowan continued to hold up one end. Cashing in on the lives given to him by the Indian fielders, Cowan looked to stabilise the innings along with Steven Smith. And without losing further wickets, the duo took Australia to 180 for three at tea.
Continuing the graft runs, the Australian opener was on 85 when Cheteshwar Pujara, at silly point, put down a catch. However, after adding just one more run to his tally, Cowan edged Ravichandran Ashwin to the slips and Kohli claimed the catch to end the batter’s 238-ball stay at the crease. Drafted into the side to replace the injured wicketkeeper Matthew Wade, Brad Haddin took guard and added 46 runs with Smith, before Ishant Sharma disrupted his stumps. The pacer then castled Moises Henriques for a duck in the very same over. Meanwhile, Smith reached a well-complied half-century even as he kept losing partners at the other end. Peter Siddle was the next to be sent back by Jadeja leaving Australia seven down for 251. Playing his sixth Test, Smith (58*) held up one end to take the Australians through the last session of the day with Mitchell Starc (20*)
Debut: Shikhar Dhawan for India. The opener from Delhi was handed his Test cap by master batsman Sachin Tendulkar
Changes in playing XIs: India: Shikhar Dhawan in for Virender Sehwag and Pragyan Ojha replaced Harbhajan Singh; Australia: Wicketkeeper Brad Haddin in place of the injured Matthew Wade, Steve Smith replaced Shane Watson, Nathan Lyon in for Glenn Maxwell, and James Pattinson replaced by Mitchell Starc
Brief scores:
At the end of Day 2: Australia 1st innings 273/7 in 104 overs (Ed Cowan 86, D Warner 71, S Smith 58*, M Starc 20*, R Jadeja 3/56, I Sharma 2/41)
At the end of Day 1: No play due to rain
