India continued their domination of the second test at Mohali. Australia crumbled from their overnight score of 102/4 and ended the innings at 268. They were still 2 runs short of avoiding a follow on. Not that it mattered as Dhoni decided to bat again.

Australia were always going to be under pressure after losing 4 wickets yesterday for less than 100 runs. Michael Hussey was the first to go after scoring a terrific 50 edging to Dhoni off Ishant. The lanky youngster is living up to his reputation of picking up the best batsmen in the world. Australia were 130/5 when their chief tormentor, someone by the name of Harbhajan Singh, struck again. Brad Haddin was clean bowled by a delivery that was pitched outside off-stump, then turned viciously and took the off stump.

It was Mishra’s turn next as he scalped Cameron White with an exceptionally perfect google to break his defences and crash into the stumps. The visitors were reduced to 167/7. Shane Watson survived a close LBW appeal off Ishant and went on to score his first test fifty. Giving him terrific support was Brett Lee, who himself survived baptism by fire from Ishant.

Breakthrough specialist, Bhajji, however broke the partnership when he got Lee to edge one to Dravid at slips. Mishra then came in and finished the job by picking up the remaining two wickets of Watson and Siddle giving him a perfect start to his test career. The youngster was the sixth Indian bowler to take a 5 wicket haul in an innings on debut. The last time this happened was way back in 1988 when Narendra Hirwani demolished the West Indians when he picked up an astonishing 8 wickets in each innings. Mishra claimed Michael Clarke’s wicket on the second day as his best of the lot.

India were in front by 201 runs. There was a sense of anticipation about how the two aggressive openers would bat on a wicket that was still pretty darn good for batting. The intent was clear early on as Sehwag and Gambhir picked the bowling apart. India finished the day at exactly 100 for no loss with Sehwag on 53 and Gautam Gambhir on 46. The day belonged to India and to Amit Mishra.

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