UPDATE
India leads by 144 runs with three wickets still in hand, giving them a commanding position before the end of the first innings.
Rohit Sharma has set up the home side beautifully with a solid 120 off 212 ball knock and has been well supported by the not out batsman Ravindra Jadeja on 66 who was also the hero with the ball in the first innings. Axar Patel also remains unbeaten on 52.
Todd Murphy's debut five-wicket haul has been the clear highlight for the Aussies.
India finish day two with a significant lead despite a terrific display from debutant Todd Murphy.
— SEN 1116 (@1116sen) February 10, 2023
🎙️ @collinsadam & @beastieboy07 wrap up the second day of the first Test.
📲 Download the app ahead of day three 🎧
👉 https://t.co/pl13cyP5It#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/hc2AvG4zSg
Earlier India had entered Day 2 behind by just 100 with one batsman in the sheds, the game was truly set up for India to make a statement and forge a massive first innings lead at 1/77.
While the home side are no doubt still ahead, the damage has been limited with Australia’s bowling attack refusing to relent completely.
Following his debut wicket late on Day 1, Murphy was the man to break through for captain Pat Cummins on Day 2, trapping nightwatchman Ravi Ashwin in front where on review he was given out LBW.
While they were happy to pick up a wicket, Australia would have been sweating when Cheteshwar Pujara strolled to the crease, but Murphy again struck when the right-hander played a false short to be caught at short fine leg for just seven.
It’s been Toddy Murphy’s day today! He claimed three big wickets in the first session!
— SEN Cricket (@SEN_Cricket) February 10, 2023
Here are his first 2 scalps in test cricket!
He has 4 wickets now for the day! pic.twitter.com/hfMqQm5QDK
Lunch was taken with India 3/151 with Virat Kohl on 12 not out and opener Rohit Sharma in control at the other end.
The ball was thrown back to the rookie off-spinner to start the second session where he had Kohli caught behind down the leg-side with his first ball.
Veteran Nathan Lyon couldn’t let his younger counterpart take all of the wickets though, as he clean bowled debutant Surya Kumar Yadav for 8, also with the first ball of his spell.
Nathan Lyon gets into the test match with his first wicket of the innings!
— SEN Cricket (@SEN_Cricket) February 10, 2023
🎙️ @collinsadam & @kaspa369 on commentary.
📲 Download the app to listen LIVE: https://t.co/u9LefIocER#INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/V2pzbV02FT
While Australia would have felt they were a genuine chance to roll through the Indians who were 5/168 at the time, Ravindra Jadeja made sure that wouldn’t be the case as he strolled to the crease to consolidate with Sharma.
Soon enough, Sharma would work his way to his century with the Indian skipper making light work of Australia’s attack.
His ongoing partnership of 58 with Jadeja wrestled the momentum back heavily in India’s favour, with the latter surviving to tea after escaping a Murphy LBW review with a razor-close umpire’s call verdict.
Play is set to resume at 8:00 pm AEDT, with the home side at 5/226 with Sharma unbeaten on 118 and Jadeja 34 not out.
Murphy is Australia’s pick of the bowlers so far with 4/59 from 25 overs, while Lyon (1/81 from 27 overs), Scott Boland (0/23 from 14 overs) and Pat Cummins (0/50 from 11 overs) are finding the conditions hard work.