Axar, Ashwin rescue India

Second Test, Day 2: Australia lead by 62 runs at Stumps

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A fighting 114-run eighth wicket partnership between Axar Patel (74) and R. Ashwin (37) put India back in the game as the hosts scored 262 in their first innings, just one run short of Australia who posted 61 for one in their second essay on the day two of the Delhi test at the Arun Jaitely Stadium here on Saturday.

At stumps, Travis Head (39) and Marnus Labuschagne (16) were at the crease for the visitors after India got an early break through when Jadeja had Opener Usman Khawaja (6) caught by S. Iyer Axar Patel and Ashwin batted confidently on the track on which the top Indian batting order struggled and these two salvaged the innings and in the process denied the Australian any advantage of big lead.

The two came together when the Indian Innings was tottering at 139 for 7 in 50.5 overs and the Aussies looked set for a commanding lead but Axar slammed 74 off 115 balls and Ashwin contributed 37 off 71 balls off the 177-balls.

This was Axar's second consecutive half century which again frustrated the Australian bowlers and took away some sheen off Nathan Lyon's commendable effort who claimed 5 wickets for 60 runs, four of which came in the morning session.