Rohit Sharma’s outstanding century on the second day of the opening Test of the Border-Gavaskar Trophy seems to have set up the game for India in Nagpur.

His century, first as Test captain, was complemented by Ravindra Jadeja’s half-century alongside a second Test fifty from fellow left-arm spinner Axar Patel (52 batting). Their unbroken 81-run partnership for the eighth wicket enhanced India’s position late in the day. On a challenging wicket, India’s lead swelled to 144 by stumps.

Virat Kohli of India is caught behind on 12 by Alex Carey on Friday. Getty Images

Debutant of f-spinner Todd Murphy was the pick of Australia’s bowlers with a five-wicket haul but as the day wore on, India firmly stamped their authority on the Test.

This was only the fourth Test of Rohit’s captaincy tenure because of injuries and illness. Rohit (120) could not have done much more, facing 212 balls over nearly six hours in the middle, in an almost faultless display of skill, temperament and character.

All-rounder Ravindra Jadeja twirls his bat on completing his half-century on Day II. PTI photo

The Indians began the day on a positive note. Both batters managed to hit a six apiece, Rohit pulling Pat Cummins over deep square leg and Ravichandran Ashwin slog-sweeping Nathan Lyon over midwicket.

Despite Rohit’s brilliance, it was Murphy who kept pushing India into a corner. After picking two wickets in the first session — Ashwin and Cheteshwar Pujara — he added to his scalps by dismissing Virat Kohli, strangled down the leg side off the first ball in the post lunch session. The faint nick was taken on the second attempt by wicket-keeper Alex Carey.

Pujara began in a proactive fashion managing a boundary early in the innings. But the approach brought about his downfall as he ended up trying to sweep one from outside leg and ended up presenting a simple catch to short fine leg, giving Murphy his third wicket.

Suryakumar Yadav, who swept his second ball in Test cricket for a boundary, did not last long. He was bowled through the gate while trying to drive Lyon, with India losing half their side while trailing by 8.

Axar Patel during his 52 not out against Australia in Nagpur on Friday. PTI photo

Murphy got his fifth wicket when he pushed one into the pads of fellow debutant KS Bharat and the DRS ruled in Australia’s favour.

Rohit’s frustrations at some of his teammates’ dismissals was clear, but he retained his composure and slowly worked through the 90s before reaching the landmark with a classy lofted drive over mid-off. This was a huge innings for the India captain in the context of the match, and may be the series.

It took Rohit 171 balls to reach his hundred and it included 15 boundaries and two sixes. The hallmark of his innings was the rotation of strike and how he traded risk for caution. Once the second new ball was taken, Cummins dismissed Rohit with an unplayable delivery that was fast and also moved away late after pitching.

Rohit, however, had a partner he could trust in Jadeja who grew in confidence and led the charge in the final session. Australia’s woes were compounded when Jadeja (66 batting) was put down in the last over of the day by Steve Smith, leaving India with a good chance of putting the game beyond the Australians’ grasp on the third day.

With inputs from PTI