The second Test match of the four-match Border Gavaskar Trophy (BGT) 2023 commenced at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi on Friday (February 17).
Electing to bat first, Australia got off to a promising start as both their openers looked good and stitched a 50-run stand in the 1st session of the game. However, India’s experienced campaigner Mohammed Shami helped his team in breaking the partnership. He gave India their first breakthrough by getting rid of David Warner in the 15th over of the first session, where he bowled an absolute beauty to trap the latter.
Bowling round the wicket, Shami bluffed Warner and produced a straight delivery that moved away from the left-handed batter after hitting the surface of the pitch and got an outside edge. Wicketkeeper Srikar Bharat made no mistake behind the stumps and moved towards his left to collect the ball. While Shami and other India teammates were charged up after the wicket, Warner shook his head in disappointment before returning to the pavilion.
Here’s the video:
Edged & taken! ☝️
Breakthrough for #TeamIndia, courtesy @MdShami11 👏
Watch 🔽 #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/Qihb7Rfsrx
— BCCI (@BCCI) February 17, 2023
Soon after the wicket of Warner, Australia struggled to find momentum and kept losing scalps at regular intervals. Usman Khawaja batted resiliently for the visitors and scored a brilliant 81, but he also fell prey to Ravindra Jadeja and missed a well-deserved ton.
On the other hand, Ravichandran Ashwin picked up three wickets for the hosts and is inching closer towards a fifer.
Shami later returned to dismiss Travis Head and now has two wickets to his name in the ongoing match.
At the tea break, Australia were 199/6, with Peter Handscomb and Pat Cummins batting on 36 and 23, respectively.
After a great start with the ball, India will look to clean up the visitors as soon as possible. Meanwhile, the Aussies will try to bat the day out and make as many runs as they can.
