It is tea on day three and India are 72 for 1. Other than the silly reverse sweep from Vijay, it has been quality batting and accumulation of runs. Pujara played some exquisite strokes through the off side and Kohli providing him good support. India need 83 to win and the Aussies are looking for more wickets.
Pujara improvises, just bends back and guides the ball over the keeper for four. Four more, this time a more classic shot, just a cut through the gully region. Overpitched and Pujara just drives through the line for four, another great shot from him.
Unlucky for Lyon, it will be four byes as it misses everything. It pitches just outside leg stump and keeps going down leg for four. Pujara comes down the pitch but Lyon stops it. Pujara gets a single on the leg side.
A change in the bowling with Johnson coming into the attack. It will be interesting to see what he can get out of this pitch. Kohli takes a single, angling the bowl into the leg side. Again down leg from Johnson and Pujara just works it off his pads for a couple. Another straighter one from Johnson and Pujara picks up a single on the leg side. India need 100 more to win.
Poor bowling from Lyon and Kohli pulls it away for four, it was short and outside leg stump and Kohli beats the man at square leg. Kohli follows it up with a single. India bring their 50 up with some good positive cricket.
Maxwell to Pujara, just dabs it to third man for a couple of runs, good batting from him. Pujara just comes out of his crease and cover drives it for four, Maxwell goes over the wicket and Pujara just eases into that four.
Pujara plays a great shot, sweeping in the air into the vacant square leg region for four. Lyon appeals for lbw but with that angle it was always pitching outside leg.
Pujara plays it over Maxwell's head for a single down the ground. Poor fielding from the Aussies, giving away 2 runs. Wade tried to hit the stumps, then Warner overthrows, giving 2 runs where there should have been none. Over pitched from Maxwell and hit like a bullet from Kohli for four straight down the ground.
Indians pick up two runs, Kohli pushing it through the offside and running hard. Nicely threaded through the leg side for a single. Pujara is doing the right thing, just pushing it into the gaps and picking up a couple. No need for expansive shots, another single for Pujara.
India need 136 to win, and need to make most of the new ball. The older ball will spin more and create fewer scoring opportunities. WICKET! Vijay goes for a reserve sweep, ridiculous shot and pays the price with his wicket. There was no need for that shot. Virat Kohli comes out to bat and he will be at the receiving end of some chirps today. He also needs a few runs under his belt.
Lyon continues, he mentioned in his interview after the first innings that he like to bowl long spells. Good shot from Pujara straight down the ground and Pattinson dives to make a good stop. Vijay dabs it fine to third man for two.
A surprise as Australia open with Maxwell, how will the Indians play them. Pujara leans forward and cover drives it through the off side for four. Solid shot from him. Five from the over.
Vijay and Pujara walk out to bat for India, on a pitch that is hot and spicy. This will be an interesting chase. Lyon to start straightaway and the Aussies will look to chirp and be attacking. Lyon was on a hat trick and Pujara denies it. He charges down the track and the ball misses everything, 1 bye. Pujara gets a single on the leg side. Vijay controls the spin and sweeps for four to square leg, good solid shot. Four more, square leg was up and Vijay gets it past him sweeping again.
This game is moving quickly with a lot of twists and turns. Siddle becoming the first number 9 batsmen to become a top scorer in both innings and to score 50s in both innings. The Aussies are all out for 164, leading by 154 runs. India need 155 runs to win, which can be a competitive total on this pitch.
Ashwin comes back into the attack, no sign of Jadeja. Premeditated reverse hoick from Siddle Siddle gets his fifty with a dancing pull for two runs. Third umpire time as there is a chance of a stumping, good work from Dhoni. WICKET! India breathe a sigh of relief as Dhoni stumps Siddle.
Ojha comes into the attack to bowl to Lyon. Appeal for lbw but given not out and a good decision too. Lyon sweeps for four, a poor ball from Ojha straying down leg.
Siddle plays a lofted shot for four, good batting from Siddle. Then he taps it to third man for a single. Pattinson cuts hard and attacks the seamer, gets four square of the wicket. WICKET! The partnership is broken and Sharma has bowled Pattinson. There were some words exchanged after the last four and Sharma responds with an inswinger that rattles the stumps. Players take a short drinks break as Lyon walks out to bat. Lyon takes a single first ball, Siddle to face the last ball.
Ashwin continues from the other end. A maiden from Ashwin.
Siddle has forced Dhoni to bring up a seamer, Sharma comes on to bowl for the first time today. A leg bye to start. Every run that Siddle scores here will be so crucial. A score of around 150 runs will be very competitive. A leg slip for Siddle. In the air but away from short midwicket, Siddle survives and gets a single. Four from the over, 147 for 8.
Siddle comes down the wicket and misses it, but pads it away, fearless batting against spin. Ashwin puts it wide outside off and Siddle picks up three, this is frustrating India.
Pujara will be able to bat anywhere he wants, because it is an external injury. Clarke had to bat down the order because he had a back injury in the previous game. Ashwin into the attack.
Kohli does well to stop a boundary and save one run. Jadeja round the wicket for Pattinson. The third umpire is consulted as there is a chance of a run out. Pattinson is safe, two quick runs for the Aussies. An irritating partnership for India.
Ojha brought into the attack, Peter Siddle out scoring Wade. Siddle is not the top scorer for the Aussies in this innings too, just like the first innings. WICKET! Wade has been given out caught behind. There was also a stumping in play but he was caught before he was stumped. Australia lead by 112.
Siddle comes down the wicket and hits it down the ground for four, batting with clarity. He quickly moves on to 19. Wade comes down the wicket also, just gets a single. Siddle comes out of his crease and gets another boundary. This will hurt the Indians, ten from the over.
Ashwin continues. Full toss from Ashwin and Siddle puts it away for four, bad ball and Siddles capitalizes. Another full toss and Siddle puts it away again, for four. Some bad bowling from Ashwin inducing a field change. Ten from this over, the lead is 100.
WICKET! Not offering a shot of this pitch is suicidal. Jadeja bowls a straighter one and he provides the breakthrough. Smith loses his off stump due to poor shot selection and the partnership is broken. Jadeja makes the batsmen play by bowling wicket to wicket, so not offering a shot against him is just bad cricket. Johnson walks out in the middle. India struggled to clean up the tail in the first innings. WICKET! Johnson trying to drive a full ball, and the timber is disturbed. Jadeja on a hat trick, Wade stranded at the other end. A five-for for Jadeja. Siddle, the highest scorer for the Aussies so far in this test, walks out to bat. Siddle denies Jadeja the hat trick, gets a couple of runs. A nasty turner, Siddle edges it past slips for four. This brings up the 100 for Australia. Siddle comes down the wicket and defends.
Everyone is under pressure and that resulted in some tempers flaring during the last session. Four byes to start after lunch. Wade careful, and rightly so.
It is lunch on day 3 and India winning this session. The day started with the Aussies looking confident and chirpy, getting the 2 remaining Indian wicket early. India getting a first innings lead of 10 runs. The Aussies started positively with promoting Maxwell to open the innings. But they kept losing wickets thanks to some good spin bowling from the Indians. At lunch Australians are 5 wickets down with a lead of 79 runs.
This will be the last over before lunch, and everyone will welcome this break. Another big appeal for lbw, umpire Dar not interested. Replays show it was hitting him outside the line. It is lunch on day 3 and everyone needs a break. Tempers flaring, a bit of chirping, Aleem Dar gets involved to separate the players.
Jadeja into the attack before lunch. Four for Wade, a very slight edge on that one. Jadeja not happy, Kohli had a slight chance, only slight.
This partnership is now 25, make that 29 as Smith comes down the ground and gets it through midwicket for four. A good positive stroke from Smith. Four catchers around the bat. A couple of appeals, an extended one as Wade not offering a shot.
Wade comes down the ground, gets a single at mid on, this partnership looking good for the Aussies. A good take from Dhoni, nasty bounce off the pitch.
Ojha continues with Smith looking fidgety around the crease. Smith gets a good ball, spin and turn for Ojha. Variable bounce making Dhoni's life difficult behind the stumps.
Chipped to Vijay, chance of a difficult catch but he can't hold on to that one. It went to him too quick. Wade uses his feet, misses the ball and Dhoni misses a stumping, another difficult chance. Its all happening here. Wade gets a thin, thin edge on this and it goes through Dhoni for four, just under Dhoni's glove who got up to early. Good positive batting and India need another wicket.
Ojha replaces Jadeja as he gets a change of ends. Sharp turn for Ojha as Smith admires the turn. A maiden in the end.
Ashwin replaces Ojha, as the spinner rush through their overs. Smith is looking comfortable against spin, coming forward to the ball. Aussies lead by 58 runs.
Just over 20 minutes to go before lunch, India looking for another wicket.
Ojha to Wade, can India get another one before lunch. That will be four byes as it misses everything, the bounce and turn not allowing anyone to stop it.
The umpires are under pressure with so much appealing and the ball doing do much off the pitch. Two more singles to take the lead to 48 runs.
Ojha continues with the Aussies leading by 44 runs. Wade opens his account with a quick run, Smith running well between wickets. Just a couple of runs and a couple of appeals from the over.
Jadeja continues. WICKET! Umpire took his time to raise the finger, Cowan stuck on his crease, hit on his pads and has to walk back to the pavilion. India strike and strike hard, Jadeja picks up another wicket. A leg bye and a dot ball to end the over.
The Aussies are 41 runs ahead. Watson playing very carefully on this turning pitch. WICKET! Just when it looked like Watson was playing well, he plays across the line of the ball and gets an inside edge on to the stumps. Ojha picks up the Aussie captain. Smith gets a single to long off.
Aussies know that a lead of 150 or so will be competitive on this pitch. A big appeal for a catch, but no where close to the bat. A maiden to start play after drinks from Jadeja
Ojha comes into the attack, replacing Ashwin who just picked up a wicket. India should not relax here, they need more wickets and quickly. This pitch is not going to be easy to bat on, and it will only get harder. Just a single from the Ojha over, Aussies lead by 41.
Jadeja, who has a knack of getting Aussie captains out, to Watson. Jadeja varies his pace so well, and is accurate with the spin making him dangerous. Four, Watson gets it through midwicket and the ball wins as Ojha gives chase. Good ball to end the over.
Ashwin gets some awkward bounce from the pitch and Hughes struggles to get some bat on it. WICKET! Ashwin gets his first wicket as Hughes is caught in front of the stumps. It was pitching on the leg stump and hits Hughes on his back pad, but he does not think it is out, Aleem Dar does. The Aussies captain, Watson, comes out to bat. If India get another wicket here, they will rule this session. Watson gets a single to long off. Cowan drives through the covers again, another boundary for Cowan.
Just a single from the over. Aussies lead by 31 runs.
Ashwin happy to flight it up. Cowan hits it on the up behind point, it was a loose delivery and Cowan puts it away again. Good positive intent from Cowan, he knows how important every run is.
Ed Cowan looks at the pitch between overs, just looking at the cracks. Not a very convincing appeal for a catch at leg slip, but it was straight off the pads. Just a couple of singles from this over.
Pujara hurt his finger yesterday, Raina on the field for him. At the end of just the first hour of day 3 and both teams fighting for this match.
Another chance for a risky single, but they decide against it. Cowan comes down the wicket and controlled the ball as he hit it through midwicket, awarded with a boundary. Another boundary for Cowan, through square leg as Jadeja pitches it short.
Ashwin continues from the other end. The umpire talks to Tendulkar after Jadeja gives Watson a send-off and Tendulkar in turn talks to Jadeja. Cowan and Hughes squeeze out a single as the ball just goes a few meters from the stumps.
WICKET! Jadeja gets his 21st wicket of this series, Warner plays across a straighter one, the ball hits his pads and he is caught in front of the stump. Jadeja started celebrating even before the umpire raised his finger, no doubt about that one. Aussies now, 2 down for 20 runs with a lead of 10. Hughes gets a couple of runs, Ishant dives awkwardly but stops a boundary. Ashwin dives, awkwardly to stop the extra run, the crowd really getting behind their players.
Ashwin continues from the other end. The crowd backing their spinners, as Cowan plays a very good shot for four. Cowan hops on to his back foot and punches it behind point for four.
Jadeja into the attack, after just two overs by Kumar. WICKET! India get their first wicket with Maxwell playing inside the line and losing his off stump. Jadeja celebrates, Maxwell bowled playing for a spinning delivery. Tendulkar talking to the youngsters in the Indian huddle, just cheering them on. Ed Cowan, the usual opener comes with one wicket down. Lots of excitement as it bounces awkwardly landing away from the leg slip.
Ashwin continues with the Aussies leading by 1. Some very good decisions by Watson as captain in this test. Watson pushes it into the leg side for a single. Raina is on, fielding for Pujara, not sure what the injury is.
Test cricket is alive and well, with both teams looking to gain an advantage. Maxwell gets it through the vacant slip area for four, flying past the outside edge. Australia have scored 11 runs, which means they lead by 1 run.
As expected, Ashwin will share the new ball with Kumar and bowl at Maxwell. Four fielders around the bat for Maxwell, just letting him know that he has never batted above number 5 and on a turning pitch like this one. Maxwell gets a single with a gentle push to long on. India should not give the early boundaries they gave in the first innings. Another single to end the over.
India lead by 10 runs and Australia will bat again, Warner and Maxwell come out to bat. Maxwell the surprise of the morning. The pitch is spicy and Kumar will look to make the most of it. Warner plays a leg glance for four, first runs for him and Australia.
Sharma to face Lyon, India leading by 10 runs. WICKET! Lyon picks up his 6th wicket as it goes through the gate, Sharma can't keep it out and Aussies get their early strike. Pragyan Ojha is the new man in. Even a lead of 30-40 runs can be handy on this pitch. WICKET! India's lead is kept to 10 runs as Lyon picks up another wicket. He is on a hat trick and will stay on a hat trick until the next innings.
Maxwell to start the day, over pitches the first one and Kumar drives him through the covers for four. Every run is important here, this pitch is turning and bouncing. Just the four from the over.
The Aussies begin the day with a few chirps to the Indian tail as Lyon gets ready to bowl the rest of his over. The day begins with a few leg byes.
The pitch has been the subject of a lot of discussion, in short, it is a minefield with spin and variable bounce. If Lyon can get so much out of it, it will be interesting how the Indian spinners will bowl on it. Delhi is going to be warm and sunny today, should be another perfect day for cricket.
Hello and welcome to Day 3 of the 4th and final test of the Border-Gavaskar trophy. Australia will look to get the two remaining wickets quickly and India will try to increase their small 4-run lead. There is a lot of time left in this test, and with India and Australia, one can expect all sorts of twists and turns.
We do hope you'll join us for more tomorrow morning - thanks for your company on a cracking day's play today. I'm Gareth Allison, and I look forward to chatting to you soon. 'Til next time, goodbye for now.
Aus have come back magnificently with off-spinner Lyon grabbing a five-for with some canny turn and bounce, accounting for the top and middle order whilst the quicks applied pressure from the other end. Sachin Tendulkar looked fluent after surviving a rather plumb shout for LBW, but failed to carry on from a good start. Ajinkya Rahane, on debut, looked calm in the face of some classic Australian hostility courtesy of Peter Siddle and David Warner, but fell soon after he got in for 7. Skipper MS Dhoni looked good before falling to a soft dismissal, pulling a slower ball off the toe of the bat to Shane "Call Me Captain" Watson, and Ravindra Jadeja looked set to be going on for bigger runs until Glenn Maxwell trapped him leg-before with just his second delivery. This pitch is not getting any easier to bat on, and India know that any sort of lead they can muster on it will be valuable. We're all set for a fascinating contest on day three here at the Feroz Shah Kotla in Delhi.
What an exciting day of cut-and-thrust Test cricket. Honours are pretty even at this stage, after Australia were bundled out for 262 this morning. Peter Siddle top-scored for the beleaguered tourists with 57, and after India galloped away with the rest of the first session courtesy of half-centuries from Pujara and Vijay, it looked like being yet another day of hard toil for the men from down under.
Nathan Lyon returns to bowl the final over of the day...and he's out, plumb in front is Ravichandran Ashwin! Yes, the umpire's finger goes up and that's five in the innings for Lyon. Take a bow, sir. Coming around the wicket, the ball pitched on middle-and-off and straightened - stone dead. What a way to end the day for Lyon and the Aussies! That's stumps, and India are eight-down down with a lead of just four runs.
maxwell is able to keep the tail-ender Bhuvneshwar quiet until the last ball of the over, when the Indian fast-bowler edges one past slip for a boundary. Four runs, insult to injury that is.
Peter Siddle has now had an official warning from umpire Aleem Dar about running on the pitch in his follow-through; Siddle walks off shaking his head. Shane Watson has been informed as well by the umpire. You're not allowed to run on the middle of the pitch, and umpire Dar is quite correct; this has obviously caught his eye a few times now for him to go as far as give an official warning. If Siddle continues to run on the pitch, he can be barred from bowling again in this innings.
Australia's over-rate has been quite low today; they're averaging 12 overs per hour compared to India's 16. We'll have to wait and see if they're penalised by the match referee after the end of play today. Meanwhile, Ashwin drives well to a deep point for a single; stylish shot for a lower-order batsman. Bhuvneshwar then helps himself to two runs by working one into the gap on the on-side between square and fine-leg. A single scrambled off the last ball levels the scores - India are 262/7. A collective sigh of relief is almost audible from the home team's dressing room.
Almost a run-out now - Kumar flicks one to mid-wicket for a sharp single, a diving fielder mis-fields and Mitchell Johnson swooped in and sent a bullet throw to the bowler's end. Maxwell wasn't quite behind the stumps to collect the ball and effect the run-out - Kumar survives. Just when you thought we might have a quiet end to the day, there's a missed stumping now too! Ashwin uses his feet to come out to one but misses it entirely; Matthew Wade is flummoxed by the turn and bounce up to the stumps, and the chance goes begging. That seemed to come out of the footmarks - quite a fizzer! To be fair to Wade, it was a very tough chance, but it's a chance nonetheless.
Sid Vicious to have another spell here before the end of the day's play - we have roughly 20 minutes left today here in Delhi. Ashwin facing him, keen to take a few singles but decides against them. Maiden over.
What a start for "The Big Show", Glenn Maxwell - WICKET, second ball! Jadeja, who had played so well, tried to leave one pitching just on off-strump alone and stuck out the right pad. The ball hit him on the roll straightening, no shot offered, and he's got to go. Blow for India, the tourists are jubilant and that's the midas touch from Maxwell that skipper Watson was hoping for. Bhuvneshwar Kumar is the new man in, and he's able to steer one off the back foot away through the covers to get off the mark with two. Five men around the bat for him, but he survives the over.
Another wild one short and far down leg is luckily stopped by a diving Wade; Mitchell Johnson applauds his keeper for helping him save face there. These two batsmen are inching towards a fifty partnership; they've accumulated 44 very valuable runs for their side so far. India now trail Australia by 8 runs, and we'll see Glenn Maxwell come on to bowl for the first time this innings.
Wide and short down leg from Lyon; luckily for him, it spun so much that a swinging Ashwin couldn't get near it. Should maybe have been called a wide. Another short one, clouted for two to a very deep point by Jadeja; Lyon seems to be tiring. No wonder either, he's bowled his 20-odd overs consecutively. Jadeja cuts him beautifully for four off the last ball, and that might be the last we see of Nathan Lyon today. He's done well to rip out India's middle order and give Australia a fighting chance. 11 overs left in the day's play for them to try and get another wicket or two.
Here comes Mitch, beard and all. Tries a fiery yorker, that was quick but misdirected and went past leg-stump where Matty Wade fumbles a bit; they don't sneak a single though, despite his fears of a bye. A good slower delivery fails to find the edge of a prodding Ashwin; better bowling, that. An outside edge to a full one gets third-man involved, only a single there but so nearly bowled him. Fast stuff from Mitch late in the day.
Bang! Good shot from Ravindra Jadeja, frees the arms and hits straight. One bounce, four runs - and he does the same again! Almost a carbon copy, straight shot down the ground and that's reducing the deficit nicely. He's farmed 11 runs off that over, and maybe a little for Shane Watson to think about now.
Good-looking pull to a shorter one, but Jadeja picks out a fielder to prevent a run. He flicks one away that nearly takes Ed Cowan's head off at short-leg, but he finds the same fielder as the ball before at forward short-leg. Mitch decides to go over the wicket now, and the batsman punches easily square off the back foot for one.
Lyon soldiers on, looking to add to his four wickets so far. Oh what a beauty - bowling around the wicket, pitched on off, spun back a bit and missed the bat AND the stumps. Keeper Wade missed it too, and four byes are added to the total - what a ripper that was! Ashwin decides to practise for the upcoming IPL by unveiling the reverse-sweep, and boy does he connect well! Four more, and all Lyon can do is raise his eyebrows at that. Valuable runs coming for India from the two Ravi's.
Mitchell Johnson returns to the attack; he's bowling around the wicket to the right-hander as he has done for most of today. A shorter, slower one is pulled well by Ashwin for a single, he had good control of the shot. The bowler stays around the wicket to the left-handed Jadeja, who gets a single from a hook shot he didn't have much control of. Just two runs from that Mitch comeback over.
R Ashwin gets off the mark by pushing one into the covers wide of the fielder for one; Jadeja gets a juicy short one from Lyon, and pulls forcefully for an easy four. They both trade singles - Lyon has now bowled 19 overs today on the trot. The Indians now trail by 42.
Oh, nice square-cut from Jadeja, it's hauled in near the boundary by Moises Henriques (who's on the field for Nathan Lyon at the moment). Two runs for Ravindra. Pattinson strives for a yorker, but can only muster a fast full-toss that Jadeja lets him get away with. Loud appeal off the last ball of the over for caught-behind, but there was no sound or deviation; Pattinson went up first, and Wade joined him almost as an afterthought. Hardly convincing.
One bounces up from a length to Jadeja, and he does well to fend it away behind square for a single. Ashwin is a decent batsman, and even has a Test century to his name so far. He's using his feet a little to come out and defend against Lyon, trying to confuse the bowler and mix up his line and length.
Soft wicket - Dhoni pulls gently and it lobs slowly to Shane Watson. They don't come much easier than that, and MS will be furious with himself for that effort. It was a shorter ball, a slower one, and he just tapped it to his opposite number. He goes for 24. Australia definitely in the driving seat right now, with R Ashwin striding to the wicket to join Jadeja.
A tight over from Lyon, but the ball ricochets off the pads of off the last ball of the over, and runs away for four more leg-byes. Frustrating.
Jadeja looks to be positive, pulling Pattinson off the front-foot for one. Dhoni tries to glance one fired in towards leg but gets in an awful tangle; the ball spurts out behind him and somehow misses the stumps. That could have easily hit the timber, and now umpire Aleem Dar is having a chat to Dhoni as well about running on the pitch. Dhoni is remonstrating a bit - it's about Dhoni running on the middle of the pitch as he's taken the run. There's a lot of chat now, with umpire Kettleborough getting involved from square-leg as well. Shane Watson isn't happy about Dhoni running on the pitch, and it's getting rather heated out in the middle. Dhoni, to his credit, is trying to defuse the situation with a smile. Bit over-the-top from Watto here, Dhoni has been warned by the umpires, no need for him to get so animatedly involved. To add to the drama now, a single to fine-leg yields overthrows as Siddle fired in a throw to the bowler's end to catch Dhoni out - the backing-up was poor, and four overthrows are added to the total. Jadeja decides to chip in, and he punches one straight down the ground for four. It seems like he hardly hit that, all timing! Pattinson is thundering in, and again spears one towards leg at high-pace...Jadeja falls over trying to play it and is hit on the pad. Huge appeal from everyone in an Aussie shirt, bellowing, PLEADING with the umpire for an LBW - not out, it's the correct call too as the ball would have missed leg-stump. Good grief, what an over it's been here in Delhi. The players take drinks - probably the most well-timed drinks break I've ever seen on a cricket field! Phew.
Dhoni looking to work the ball around for ones and twos, and even Jadeja gets two off a shorter ball from Lyon. Another short one is lucky to only go for a single; perhaps the bowler is tiring slightly now. Fifty overs gone now, twenty left until the second new ball becomes available to Australia.
Australia having a great two sessions so far today, and this partnership between captain MS Dhoni and R Ashwin is key for the hosts to be able to post a competitive first-innings score. We have a left-hander at the crease now (Radeja), so Pattinson comes around the wicket to him. He's pushing it too far down leg though, and Wade does well to dive to his right to stop a screamer. The second one raps Ravindra on the leg, but it was never going to hit the stumps and the appeal is muted. They take a run. Three off the over, and it seems a long time ago now that India were rattling along at almost five to the over when Pujara was at the crease.
Nathan Lyon still bowling around the wicket to the right-handers, and Dhoni gets back and pulls one forcefully to mid-wicket for a couple. The next one bounces high and spits a bit - MS's arms go up and the ball flies past Steven Smith at backward short-leg for runs. Oh dear, it was a chance, that hit the glove. That could have been a massive moment for this match, and the Indian captain responds by slapping another boundary in front of cover. He helps himself to a single. SRT is back on strike...and he's hit on the pad! Huge appeal - he's gone! Yes, that was plumb I'm afraid, that was the one that straightened from Lyon and Tendulkar's day is done. Great ball, hit him on the knee roll; he's bowled so well today has the South Australian. Big, big wicket! Jadeja is our new man in the middle, and he decides to hit a four off his first ball faced - fair enough!
Peter Siddle is given a rest, and James Pattinson returns to see if he can blast out a couple more batsmen with his pace assault. Still no slip in place for Watson's fast men though. Dhoni works one to fine-leg with a snap-whip that only Dhoni could pull off; he's a big bottom-hand player, and loves to flick and punch the ball with that big bat of his. Pattinson gets the yorker going next up, and Sachin does well to keep it out although he flashes unsuccessfully at a wide one after that.
Ajinkya Rahane picks up his first boundary, a pull behind square off a rare short ball from Lyon. Not much time for him to bask in that though, as the appeal goes up for a catch by Steven Smith at backward short-leg...yes, he's OUT! That took the glove and lobbed up like a dolly. A third wicket for Lyon, and Rahane goes, his first Test innings over for only seven runs. That'll bring the captain to the crease, his blistering double-century in Chennai still fresh in most minds. This pitch, however, is quite different from the one we saw in Chepauk, but he throws the bat at the first ball he gets from the off-spinner; wide, over-pitched and slapped through cover for four. Typical, classic Dhoni.
Siddle pitching it up to Rahane, who eventually finds a single down to third-man. He bounces SRT, but the little master ducks under it easily. Oh, how good was that shot from him - beautiful back-foot drive goes square, timing was sublime and a diving fielder can only usher it to the boundary rope. He's looked really good since tea, much more fluent than he was before the break.
Sachin is looking to get on top of Nathan Lyon, sweeping and trying to pierce the leg-side gap. He hasn't got it quite right just yet though. he does, however, manage to punch him through off for two off the back foot
On the other end of the pitch, Sachin will turn those off his pads for days and days - another easy single for the little man from Mumbai. It brings up the team's 150 in the process. Rahane gets off the mark, fending a shortish one into the off-side; slight brush of bodies with Peter Siddle as he completes the run, the bowler not moving out of the way. This is fiery, competitive Test cricket folks, and the Aussies are not going to give an inch. They sense that they have a very good chance here, for one of the first times in this series. Sachin, on strike again, climbs into a lovely cover-drive to add two more to his total.
Lyon to bowl to the new man, searching for his very first run in Test cricket. No doubt there will be a couple of chirps from the close fielders, and there are a few of them around the bat. Dave Warner grabs the ball from a defensive stroke and mock-shies at the stumps right near Rahane, who seems unfazed. Good man. He remains on 0 after the maiden over.
No short-leg in for Siddle now, and no slip either. Short mid-wicket remains, but he's not needed as Vijay drives one compactly to the sweeper boundary for a single. Sachin get a full, leg-side delivery and he whips it effortlessly with those magnificent wrists, a single his reward. Now THAT's a bouncer - fast and short from Peter Siddle and M Vijay had no clue about that one. He's out, caught him on the glove and looped up high and slow for Matthew Wade to pouch comfortably. Breakthrough, the set man goes for 57 and Australia crow with delight! The debutant, Ajinkya Rahane, replaces him and is immediately hit on the pad. Siddle is bellowing for the LBW, but that would have missed the leg stump by the width of another pitch! He has a few choice words to say to young Rahane as well - welcome to Test cricket, perhaps? Bang! The next one hits him on the helmet as he ducks and they scurry a leg bye - goodness me, have we got some entertainment here in Delhi!
Nathan Lyon to bowl from the other end, and Vijay misses a sweep that raps him on the pad outside the line. They take a single, hesitantly at first, and make it comfortably. The throw hits the stumps and breaks one - haven't seen that before! It's split half-way up, and the fourth umpire comes on with a replacement whilst Peter Siddle uses the broken one to deomonstrate a cut shot to his team-mates.
How's that for a start after tea - Sachin hits consecutive boundaries. The first is a square flick, followed by a back foot square drive to beat both fielders. Classy, authoritative strokes from the little man, who's looking enterprising after the break. He bunts one out to the sweeper and scampers through, full of beans. Vijay matches him with a single of his own, and the first over post-tea yields ten runs for India. Ouch.
Welcome back folks - absorbing final session in store for us here in Delhi at the Feroz Shah Kotla. It'll be Peter Siddle bowling to Sachin Tendulkar - enjoy!
Two wickets fell for 76 runs in that session, bringing Australia right back into the game. Spinner Nathan Lyon has looked threatening in every over he's bowled, and Mitchell Johnson showed some sizzle towards the end with some searching fast deliveries. India go to tea on 135/2 with M Vijay on 54 and Sachin Tendulkar alongside him on 12. They still trail Shane Watson's Australians by 127 runs, with this pitch not getting any easier to bat on. Join us in 15 minutes or so for the final session of day two, here in Delhi.
Lyon overpitches, and Tendulkar punishes him with a beautiful cover drive. A diving James Pattinson dives in vain to save the boundary; very good effort, but just unable to stop it. A single brings Vijay on strike, and Lyon again asks the question for LBW, not a strong shout though and rightly turned down. Pushed forward, little inside-edge. He uses his feet to defend the last ball before tea, and that's the session done and dusted. Great fight-back from Australia, and what a fascinating contest we have now.
A fast one speared in doesn't bounce a whole lot, and Vijay does well to keep it out with the bottom of the bat - hands on heads all round. Another one barely makes it through to the keeper and Mitch goes up for a nick, but it wasn't confident - don't think it carried. Umpire Aleem Dar goes upstairs to see if it carried, definite edge but clearly bounced, visible on the slow-mo replay. Wade didn't try to claim it, wasn't sure which is why umpire Dar went to the third umpire. M Vijay will stay; this has been a rather eventful last few overs for the Australians, and they definitely have fire in their bellies at the moment. Both Indian batsmen struggling a little.
A top-edged sweep from Sachin, but there's no-one out on the boundary and he collects his first four. Lyon is still coming from around the wicket and won't mind seeing shots like that played - always a chance for him when the sweep comes out. You can count on Lyon to go up for an appeal and that's stone-dead LBW - except that Sachin has nicked it! Wow, that would have been gone - he holds the bat up, and replays show there was a definite edge. He's trying another slog-sweep, but can't connect with the bat and it runs over to the fine-leg boundary for a rather insulting four leg-byes. Another good over from the spinner, he's asking a lot of questions of SRT.
Snorter from Mitch, and SRT plays it well with soft hands - straight down. Class, technique, experience. Very good rising ball, that was. Shane Watson is back in at his wide third slip position, but is quite near to the stumps - very short indeed. Mitch is firing them in well this over, and Vijay gets one similar to the riser that Sachin dealt with earlier in the over; oh dear, takes his eyes off it and fends it away, luckily for him it went to ground before it got to short-leg. That's how NOT to do it, kids. Swing and a miss off the last ball and Matthew Wade goes up for the caught-behind. No, the noise was Vijay's bat hitting the ground, no nick there. Good over from Mitchell Johnson.
Sachin tries to back away, and edges a turning one into his leg. Thankfully for him, it went straight to ground instead of going to one of the close fielders. Lyon really is bowling well in this spell; hardly seems the same bowler we saw in the first Test of this series in Chennai. He dives full-length to save a single off his own bowling, but it beats him and long-on cleans up - good dedication shown there too. Yet another raucous appeal from Lyon for LBW against M Vijay, but again he's turned down by umpire Richard Kettleborough. This time there was a little inside-edge and heading down leg. Matthew Wade had a few choice words to say to the batsman as he walked past him for the change of ends...wonder if he was asking for restaurant recommendations for the end of the day's play? Somehow, I doubt it.
M Vijay leaves a few outside off alone; he hasn't been as fluent as Pujara was in his innings, but he is the settled partner and will be looking to bat long now. Mitch is pushing them wide of off-stump, but once or twice an over he can be counted on to spray one waywardly down leg, and he obliges once more. India still trail 142 runs behind Australia; they're on 120/2 now after 33 overs.
Sachin sweeps - massive appeal! Oh, that's close, surely he's out? No, says the umpire! Well, goodness me - that didn't pitch outside leg, decent bounce...you'd have to say that Lyon might be a bit unlucky here. He's coming around the wicket which may have led the umpire to think it was pitching outside leg, but the pitch mat shows otherwise. Dear me, I think most would have given that out. Very unlucky, and Sachin stays at the crease. Another big appeal off the last ball for LBW yet again - no, not out. Lyon looks distraught - perhaps there was some inside edge there? Close again, SRT living dangerously at the moment - top over from the Australian offie!
Another short spell from Pattinson ends as Mitchell Johnson takes up the task to Sachin. He's still bowling around the wicket, firing them into the batsman; one hits Sachin on the thigh pad and lobs up to short-leg, but bounces just before him. No edge. He unleashes a sublime back-foot square drive, but the point fielder does well to prevent the runs - vintage Sachin, that shot! Off the second-last ball of the over he whips one away off the pads, and the crowd roar as their hero opens his account with a single. Mitch finishes with an absolute beaut that beats the bat as well as the off-stump! So close, how did that miss? He throws his hands up in the air - that was a superb ball.
Four runs - haven't had a boundary in a couple of overs, and Vijay obliges by using his feet and chipping the ball into the mid-wicket gap for four. Lovely; he uses his feet again to the next delivery, but Lyon sees him coming and fires it into the blockhole.
One rears up a bit from Patto, and it strikes Vijay on the glove to loop up. No-one in at short-leg though; he pounds the next delivery to the square-leg fence for a single with exquisite timing to raise his bat for another Test half-century. Short-leg returns with the new man Sachin on strike, as does the leg-slip we saw earlier. A couple of bouncers, but Sachin isn't swayed - pacey stuff from Pattinson, solid defence from SRT.
Here's some fun - Lyon to bowl around the wicket to the right-handed Vijay, leg-slip and short-leg in place. How does the batsman respond? Using his feet, he slaps the ball down to long-on for a single, showing some intent. Good-looking shot, just the one. Lyon continues his approach to Virat - there's an orthodox slip as well. Another massive shout for LBW...the umpire is taking his time. He's out! He's gone for 1 is Virat Kohli, and that looked stone-dead from around the wicket. He played across the line, and the ball straightened - would have hit middle stump exactly. The batsman kicks the ground in disgust as he leaves, but Lyon's got two and Australia are jubilant. In walks the little maestro himself, Sachin Tendulkar, and the reception for him is deafening.
Pattinson is still struggling a bit with his line, but gets a bit of in-swing to one that died on the pitch on the way through to Wade. Vijay edges closer to his fifty with yet another clip off the pads to leg; we've seen a lot of those shots from the Indians today, easy runs for them in that area. He bowls a better line to the new batsman, Virat, who defends well off the back foot; that was a quick ball! Definitely getting some in-swing when he pitches it up, as the last ball swings from middle to leg; fielded by the man at short-fine-leg.
OUT! Well, well, well. What a timely strike from Lyon; Pujara misses a straight one and he's bowled! Didn't really turn, and he played down the wrong line. They needed that desperately! Pujara goes for 52, and India lose their first wicket on 108. The players take a quick drinks break as Virat Kohli strides to the wicket at number three. He takes a few sighters, before turning one around the corner for his first run of the match. Vijay picks up a couple to fine-leg with a pre-meditated sweep from outside off, and does the same the very next ball to get another run.
James Pattinson replaces Johnson, and Johnson responds by firing a wild throw way over the keepers head - four byes! There was no run there, defended stoically to mid-off and suddenly they were gifted four free runs. Dear me, that will anger the captain no end. What is happening here in Delhi - four byes off the very next ball! Chaos. Must have hit a crack that one, and it jagged way down leg-side for yet another boundary. It's all going wrong for Shane Watson's Australians - bit of a horror over that.
Huge, HUGE shout for LBW first-up from Lyon, but no dice says the umpire; Vijay was sweeping, but the ball hit him outside the line after the batsman got a good stride forward. He gets the shot right at the second attempt, sweeping to fine-leg for one. Bouce, turn - that fizzed through and looped up a catch for short-leg, but it didn't take any bat or glove on the way through. Good bowling from Lyon so far, but he can't stop Pujara whipping one off the back foot to bring up his half-century. Cheers from the crowd, and his wife claps excitedly from the stands - imagine how excited she must get when he gets a century! Nice to have support like that.
Johnson upping the pace now, without a traditional slip in place - Shane Watson has placed a leg-slip in position for him. There are two men back on the leg-side as well, seemingly setting up Pujara for a short-pitched ball to hook. Any miscue from the batsman, and those fielders as well as a short mid-wicket could be in business. Instead, Mitch gives Pujara a full-pitched ball to drive through the covers for a couple; that's not the plan, Mitch! Good pace at least in that over; Pujara is just two short of a deserved half-century now.
Short mid-on in place for Lyon; again, one doesn't bounce much at all but Pujara manages to whip it away for a single. Intent shown now from Vijay, and he uses his feet to carve the ball over mid-off well for four. He hit against the spin there, and it came off well for him; an off-spinner won't mind seeing that, as it gives him a good chance of getting a wicket if the batsman misjudges the turning ball. The over ends with a spirited appeal for LBW to a ball that Vijay got well forward to, headed down the leg-side as well to negate any danger.
Wide, full, slower ball from Mitch beats the outside edge of Vijay; well bowled, sir. Beats the bat again with a quicker one - there's a slight hint of reverse-swing now for the left-armer. After several balls on a good line, he spears one down leg and the batsman easily helps it on it's way for a four to fine-leg. He really needs to be more cinsistent with his line does Mitch, as he's troubling Vijay outside off when he gets it right. Pity; a decent over spoiled by the late boundary.
First ball spits off a crack and takes Pujara's glove wide of short-leg; that's the hand he was hit on earlier. He's inspecting it a bit with the glove on at the non-striker's end, clearly still not comfortable. Lyon's put a leg-slip now as well to keep short-leg company after the last ball went in that area. Last ball of the over keeps a little low, to the oohs and aahs of the bowler and the keeper - beats the bottom of the bat, but too wide to hit the woodwork.
Spin for the first time in this Indian innings; here's the right-arm off-spin of Nathan Lyon.
Mitchell Johnson returns, around the wicket to Murali. All defence at the moment combined with well-judged leaves, and big Mitch gets his first maiden over of the innings.
Siddle continues, bowling his heart out as is his wont. The two batsmen trade singles, but Pujara's got the glove off again. That bang on the finger from Pattinson a few overs ago is still giving him trouble, and the physio runs out for some running repairs. Shane Watson isn't happy about the second trip to the middle by India's physio, and has a chat to umpire Aleem Dar, but the umpire has no problem with it. Back in action now, and he's beaten by a full and fast delivery from Siddle, the forward defensive missing everything.
Vijaybeats the man at short mid-wicket easily with a wristy flick, and a diving Nathan Lyon does well to stop a boundary well in front of square. Has he hurt himself though? That would be disaster for the Aussies; he's picked himself up, grimacing but seems to be okay. We'll have to keep an eye on him. There's a short cover in now opposite the short mid-wicket, and the only slip is standing in the second or third slip position - interesting field indeed this from stand-in captain Watson. No luck for him yet so far in this innings.
This outfield is very very fast, and its hard for the fielders to stop if it comes out of the middle of the bat. Pujara helps himself to another easy single off a length ball, turned to fine-leg. Vijay gets one that doesn't bounce much and gets the under-edge of the bat to trickle through to Wade on the bounce; for some reason, the keeper under-arms the ball to hit the stumps, even though the Indian batsmen showed no intent of running. A bemused Vijay stands in his crease, looking at the splayed stumps. He attempts a back-foot drive away from his body next, and gets the inside-edge; luckily for him, it misses the woodwork by a country mile, and brings Pujara on strike. He duly dispatches a fully-pitched delivery for a beautifully cover-driven four, and the boundaries continue to come for India.
Only one (wide) slip in place for Patto, who's been generating pace up to 146 km per hour so far. He starts with one angling down leg, and it's an easy double for Pujara to get himself going in this afternoon session. He gets back to defend a rising delivery, and it smacks him hard on the hand - ouch! He's taken the glove off, wringing his hand a bit. That hurt! The physio comes out to take a look, not sure of how serious it is at the moment; we're sure to see the magic spray that all the players talk about. He's had a bit of treatment, and the glove is back on, so he'll continue. The deficit goes below 200 as he plays one late past the wide slip for a boundary - a sprinting wide third-man just can't cut it off. Very well-played, nice and late; the runs still flowing at a fair old pace for the Indians.
Welcome back folks; play be getting underway shortly. Can Australia get back into this game with a couple of quick wickets? Will India erase the deficit and set the tourists a meaty total? All will be revealed; here come our umpires and the players themselves. Good news for the Aussies is that Glenn Maxwell is back on the park.
No doubt, it's been India's session - they've raced to 59/0 after only 14 overs. Australia's 262 all out is competitive, but still short of a truly challenging score for the hosts to chase. You feel that it's going to be a long, hard afternoon session for the Aussie bowlers, with these two batsmen looking relatively untroubled at the crease so far. Pujara has looked classy as usual, and M Vijay has continued his good form in this series to ease to 23. India's spinners showed that there is assistance to be had from the cracks in the pitch; will Nathan Lyon be the man to bring the tourists back into the game with second spinner Glenn Maxwell off the park with a stomach bug? We'll find out in 45 minute's time - join us then!
Pujara drives a full one handsomely, but only finds the deep mid-off fielder. That was sweetly timed, but alas, no run. He steers the next one wide of gully, and there's an overthrow now too; Warner prevented the second run and fired in the throw, but poor backing up allowed them to collect three. Dear oh dear, that won't make Peter Siddle happy at ALL. He looks likely to burst a gasket at this stage. Last ball before lunch, raps Vijay on the pads - huge appeal from Sids, but given not out. Replays show that the ball was heading way down leg, and it was the correct decision by umpire Kettleborough. That's lunch.
Not far from lunch now folks, and we've got James Pattinson back to replace big Mitch. He's angling them into the right-hander, fast and full, and the short-mid-wicket is collecting the defensive shots from Vijay. He seems content to play out the remainder before lunch, does Murali - he ends the over on 23 not out.
All solid defence from Cheteshwar; both these batsmen have defended well this morning. Siddle is hitting the 140 km per hour mark now, giving it his all as usual for his country. We saw in Adelaide against South Africa earlier this summer just how gritty and determined a player he is, bowling his heart out there to the point of almost not being able to walk. A great player for his captain to have, no doubt - always giving you one hundred percent! It's another maiden for the Victorian; India trail by 206 runs.
Ravi Shastri debating when Ajinkya Rahane will come out to bat; a shot of the Indian dressing room reveals Tendulkar, Kohli and Rahane with pads on, ready for action. Perhaps we'll see the debutant Rahane slot in at 5? Back to action on the field, and Mitch wildly slings one down leg for an easy clip to fine-leg. Oh dear, another one goes through the slip cordon, same old story for Australia - Vijay edges, bounces before Watson at first slip who dives to stop it but can only get a touch on it on its way to the boundary. Ouch.
Fifty up now for India with a push into the covers; they've reached it in double-quick time too, haven't they? Shy at the stumps from the fielder, but the batsman was well home. Siddle is already spitting fire at his fielders, wanting more effort from them. Australia desperate for a wicket before the lunch break, but they don't look like taking one at the moment.
Mitch decides to come around the wicket now, but loops a full toss very wide of the off-stump; his second is better and gets Vijay driving - edge! Doesn't carry to Shane Watson at first slip and bursts through his right hand to go for four. No luck for the Aussies - it's also telling that the ball didn't carry through to Watto in the slips. Vijay then defends into the covers, and they take a sharp run, well-judged it was too. Mitch changes his pace, and Pujara aborts a drive half-way through and misses it completely. That was a good off-cutter from big Mitch, but the following bouncer is way too short and goes harmlessly high wide of off-stump for Wade to collect.
Good line from Siddle from the get-go; just outside off and on a good length to a defending Pujara. There's a very wide slip in place, along with a more traditional first-slip for these right-handers. It's a good over to start from Sid Vicious. the first maiden of what has a been a fast-scoring innings so far.
The top-scorer in the Australian innings, Peter Siddle, comes on to replace James Pattinson.
I must say, these two batsmen have looked very comfortable and assured at the crease so far. Johnson continues around the wicket, this time with a short mid-wicket in place in an attempt to try and catch Pujara out with one of his trademark wristy flicks. He needs to bowl a better line though to bring that man into play, as one way down the leg-side is easily escorted to fine-leg for a single. Slower ball, looks like a cutter and oh dear...that's gone through keeper Wade on the second bounce for four byes. Even on these variable Indian pitches, that's poor wicket-keeping from Wade, and bowler, coach and captain won't be too pleased with his effort there.
Pattinson goes up for one that was going down leg, didn't bounce as much but there's no LBW there. First half-shout we've had so far. One ball lifts, then one after that gets to Matty Wade on the second bounce; Vijay just smiles. Good pacey delivery comes into him, and he fends it off close to his body, out of reach of the short-leg under the helmet though.
Pujara uses his wrists beautifully, and he turns another one to the square-leg boundary; well-stopped by a diving fielder and three more runs accrue. We've seen a few wristy shots from him this morning, and they've been lovely to watch. Attempted bouncer from big Mitch, but it's poorly directed and thus easily dealt with by M Vijay. He defends a good final delivery well; pitched up a bit more, made the batsman play. Bit of a mixed bag from Mitchell Johnson at the moment, but he'll be happy that only three came from that over.
Vijay is in on the act now, flicks a straighter full-length ball for an effortless boundary; we've had a steady flow of runs so far, and it's looking all too easy for the Indian batsmen. A nice leave from Vijay, and he pushes the next one to deep point for one. Pujara steers the very next ball into the same area, with the same result. Pattinson finds his line well with the next ball, good pace from the Victorian - all defence from Murali. Six runs off that over.
Pujara picks up a couple, glanced nicely square. He's a classy batsman, and he's done very, very well since coming into this Indian Test team. Bouncer from Mitch, it's down leg...four more! The batsman was half-fending, half-trying to leave - did it take the edge? The handle, or the glove maybe? It looks like it took the glove, but the hand was off the handle of the bat. Would have been VERY interesting if that had gone through to the keeper for a catch. Oh, and would you look at that - a glorious off-drive, no stopping that. Another boundary, and India are going along at a nice rate. Pujara flicks another wristy glance square of fine-leg to claim another couple; he's looking very good so far in this innings; Australia leaking runs at a fair tick so far in this innings.
Great start for James Pattinson, fresh from his batting endeavours. Pitches one outside off and jags in, before moving away after it passes the keeper; Pujara plays and misses. He makes up for it immediately with a lovely back-foot punch through the covers, lovely! Four runs, and he's off the mark. There's a short-leg in place as well as two slips, but interestingly, captain Shane Watson has put a man in front of square of the cover boundary after that four from Pujara...now that is odd. Attempted yorker, a 145 km per hour fireball on leg stump and easily put away to fine-leg for another four. Nine from the over, and a puzzling field-placing by Australia's stand-in captain.
Some serious pace from the get-go: 141 km per hour from big Mitch, and Vijay edges a beauty through the slips for an early four. It went along the ground, but second slip could only get a touch on it. A few deliveries pass with a good line, before Mitch sprays one way down leg; that bounced high as well on it's way through to Matthew Wade. Johnson does have a reputation of being erratic with his line; when he's on song, he's deadly, but can often slip into bad habits if he's not getting success. First over of the innings done and dusted - 4/0.
A bit of a surprise here, as debutant Ajinkya Rahane isn't walking out to open the innings with M Vijay; instead, it's the usual no. 3: Cheteshwar Pujara. Glenn Maxwell has not taken the field either, with rumours of him being taken ill overnight looking to be true at this stage. This means that Australia are currently a bowler shy; Mitchell Johnson will open the attack with two slips in place.
Is 262 a competitive enough total on this Delhi track? One would think Australia are some way short of that, but this pitch is taking considerable turn already, and the many cracks in the surface could assist Australia's seam bowlers. Their tail-enders bailed out the top order with gritty knocks from some of the bowlers, and Steven Smith's 46 was the second-highest innings score behind Peter Siddle's 51.
OUT! Wicket no. 100 for Pragyan Ojha, and it's finally the end of the Australian innings. Pattinson edges, the ball clips Dhoni's gloves and goes through to Virat at slip, who makes no mistake. Good ball from Ojha, and Pattinson goes for a valuable 30 runs, leaving Nathan Lyon unbeaten on 8 from 40 balls. 262 all out, and India will be very happy with that effort.
Clipped off the legs, and short-leg was nearly in business there against James Pattinson. Lyon is hanging in there with his partner, and is getting forward nicely to defend. Just a single off that over from Ravindra.
A swipe from James Pattinson, but it only brings him a single; showed some aggression there. Oh wow, what a beauty from Pragyan to Lyon, pitched on middle and turned markedly - Dhoni has taken the bails off in a flash and they all go up. Is that out? The third umpire is brought into the equation; no, his foot stayed down behind the crease and that won't be Test wicket number 100 for Ojha. Good keeping from Dhoni, but Lyon did well to keep that back foot grounded. India will have to wait longer for that final wicket.
Good running from these two tail-enders gets them two runs as Pattinson pushed one out in front of the fielder at square-leg. India will be frustrated that they haven't been able to pick up this last wicket yet; Pattinson has moved to 28 now.
Short-leg, two slips and a silly mid-off for Nathan Lyon facing up to Ojha. Leading edge flies safely through the air in the gap, could have easily gone to one of the close fielders; they pick up two more valuable runs from that over-pitched delivery.
The bounce is keeping Jadeja interested here, and he's bowling fairly quickly. Less appeals than his last over, and we're through it without much fuss. 254-9 are Australia.
Pragyan Ojha joins us, replacing Ashwin and immediately has Lyon in trouble; the batsman tries to leave, going forward and hoisting his bat out of the way. It takes the glove and flies wide of a diving Virat Kohli at slip - oh dear! They grab two runs as the fielder gives chase to third-man. So close for India.
Huge appeal from Jadeja for LBW, but it was missing leg; the next ball has Lyon all at sea, bounce and turn and it took the outside edge. Dhoni couldn't hold on. It's all appeals, all the time here, as they go up again for another LBW - ooh, it was close, but it looks like an inside-edge saved him there, Lyon. Pretty good shout if he hadn't got a small nick. As if we hadn't had enough appeals this over, there's another one - huge shout, all the players pleading with the umpire for another LBW, but umpire Kettleborough is un-moved. Wow, that was a frenetic over from Jadeja, but still no wicket for him this morning.
Pattinson finds a gap in the covers with a back-foot punch, and they pick up a couple before he bunts one to long-on for one. Nathan Lyon decides he's ready to get off the mark, and scrambles his first runs to fine-leg, hustling through there. Ashwin loses his line, and pitches one on leg - was he trying the carrom ball there? No luck for him there, and the Aussies siphon another single to end the over.
Misfield off his own bowling, and they steal a single as Jadeja fumbles whilst trying to threaten a shy at the stumps. Good turn on offer for the left-arm spinner, and he's getting it to pitch on middle and turn away some; Lyon has no clue and misses the ball easily.
He's bowled him! Slower delivery from Ashwin, and Siddle defends but it beats him and clatters into the stumps. He played down the wrong line, and it ends a gritty rear-guard innings from the Victorian. That's five in the innings for Ashwin, and Australia's top scorer in this innings is on his way. Nine down for the Aussies, and India will be hoping to wrap this up lickety-split now. It's a maiden over for Ashwin, to boot.
Jadeja is pushing them through a bit quicker than Ashwin has been, forcing Pattinson to defend off the back-foot. He's looking solid in defence so far. Let's see if Dhoni continues with Ashwin from the other end.
Full, wide and four runs as Pattinson drives square - good shot to a bad ball. He recovers his line before firing one down the leg-side on the last ball of the over, and the batsman puts it away easily behind square for another boundary. Not a very good over from Ashwin, needs to settle. The fifty partnership comes up for Siddle and Pattinson; India won't be too happy with that.
Turn and bounce for Ravindra Jadeja - pitched on off and turned away, big heave from Siddle and Dhoni had the bails off in a flash. No edge, and he was firmly in his crease, but wow - that ball turned remarkably. No runs off that over - a maiden for Jadeja to start his day with.
Here we go - Ashwin in to Siddle, two close catchers on the leg-side as well as a slip. He fends one wide of the slip to bring up a couple, and then pushes one into the off-side to bring up his first Test half-century. He's shown the top-order players how it should be done in the fiery heat of Delhi, The bowler goes around the wicket to the left-handed James Pattinson; the two close fielders are on the off-side for him, but he manages to block out the remainder of the over.
Here come the umpires, Aleem Dar and Richard Kettleborough. We're about to get underway here at the Feroz Shah Kotla - thanks for joining us! It'll be R Ashwin to start proceedings.
It's 35 degrees C here in Delhi; a sweltering day awaits both teams here. The pitch is looking very worn, lots of cracks - doesn't look much like a day two pitch, to be honest. There has definitely been spin and bounce on offer for the bowlers, but as Peter Siddle (of all people) has shown, if you stick it out and play with determination, you can score runs on this pitch. You'd imagine that the Indian batsmen have been watching his innings with some interest.
There are reports coming in that "The Big Show", Glenn Maxwell, has been taken ill overnight, but these are unconfirmed as of yet.
R Ashwin has taken 4 wickets at a miserly 1.33 runs per over, and both Ishant and Ravindra Jadeja have picked up two wickets each. Of the batsmen. only the aforementioned Siddle, Steven Smith and Phillip Hughes were able to pass 40.
Peter Siddle is currently on 47 not out, his highest score in Tests thus far; his partner is fellow fast bowler James Pattinson on 11. Siddle is the top scorer in the Australian innings with his team on 231/8, still quite some distance from posting a challenging first innings score for the Indians to chase.
Hello and welcome to day two of the fourth and final Test between India and Australia, where the visitors are struggling against the spin in Delhi.