Mohammed Shami’s perfect use of the seam along with intelligent use of the conditions by the spin duo of Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja helped India bundle out Australia for 263 on the opening day of the second Test at the Kotla on Friday. At stumps, India were 21 without loss.

The pitch had some turn and bounce that is not usual in Delhi, but batting looked easier as the day progressed. Usman Khawaja (82) and Peter Handscomb (72 not out) were the standout batters for Australia.

Pat Cummins had won a crucial toss as Australia decided to go in with three spinners and one fast bowler. With India set to bat last, when the deterioration of the wicket is ought to make scoring difficult, Australia needed a significant first innings total and they were partly successful.

Australia had put all their energy into preparing against the Indian spinners after the thrashing in the opener, but they ran into Shami’s brilliance and Mohammed Siraj’s discipline.

Khawaja got off to a brisk start with two boundaries but Warner found the going tough and was troubled by Siraj, who produced an excellent six-over burst that had the veteran opener struggling to avoid blows.

Shami (4/60) finally relieved Warner of his misery after the openers had put on 50. Ashwin then got into the act, operating over two long spells to pick up 3/57 in 21 overs, including the wickets of Marnus Labuschagne and Steven Smith in the same over before lunch.

Having added 94 in the first session, Australia kept up the scoring rate in the second, which brought 105 runs. Khawaja denied the spinners any leeway, sweeping and reverse sweeping to deny the spinners from settling into a length.

Shami prized out the returning Travis Head early after lunch before Handscomb joined forces with Khawaja. Handscomb, in particular, was very assured with his technique and his reassuring backfoot play gave the Aussies confidence.

Warner’s failure

Calls for benching Warner will grow after the veteran opener managed just 15 off 44 balls. But Khawaja believes that a mere three innings aren’t enough to question Warner, who became a bit “weary” after being knocked on the head by a Siraj bouncer.

“I have to kind of disagree with what you’re saying. He hit two fours off Ashwin in the last game before he got out lbw, so he was showing some aggression,” Khawaja said, when asked if Warner needs to be pro-active.

Written with inputs from PTI