India vs Australia: 4th Test, Day 2 updates from Sydney

Tune in for updates from the second day of the fourth Test of the India vs Australia Test series in Sydney.

Cheteshwar Pujara sent the Australians on a leather hunt.

Hello and welcome to Sportstar's coverage of the fourth and final Test between India and Australia.

India started well on Day 1 and finished on 303/4 with Mayank Agarwal and Cheteshwar Pujara hogging the limelight. In case, you missed the action, you can read the report here .

The Australia squad for the ODIs against India is announced. Aaron Finch (c), Usman Khawaja, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Glenn  Maxwell, Marcus Stoinis, Mitch Marsh (vc), Alex Carey (vc), Jhye  Richardson, Billy Stanlake, Jason Behrendorff, Peter Siddle, Nathan  Lyon and Adam Zampa.

Second day's play:

Third session updates:

Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja toy with the Australian bowlers, piling on a 204-run partnership for the seventh wicket and the declaration comes at 622/7.

Pant broke a few records enroute his unbeaten 159. He became the first Indian wicketkeeper to score 150 in Australia, notched up the third highest score overall by an Indian wicketkeeper.

Second session updates:

It is safe to say it has been India's session, again.

Cheteshwar Pujara was unlucky to miss out on a 200, chipping a return catch to Nathan Lyon on 193 but for that glitch, it has been India all the way.

Rishabh Pant has helped himself to a handsome 88 and he would hope to score those remaining dozen and get to the three-figure mark.

India well in control at tea at 491/6.

First session updates:

Unsurprisingly, it has been Cheteshwar Pujara in the limelight again.

Hanuma Vihari and Pujara started well, negotiated the first hour or so without any hiccups. Pujara went past the 150-run mark, his seventh in Test cricket.

Vihari was out to Nathan Lyon, the ball just brushing his bat before Marnus Labuschagne pouched it safe.

 

Rishabh Pant joined Pujara and the duo have ensured India take the lunch break at a healthy 389/5.

Recap:

Virat Kohli did his side a huge favour by winning the toss. The pitch was good for batting: the ball didn't move prodigiously in the air or off the surface and thereby encouraged strokeplay.

Teams: Australia  (Playing XI): Marcus Harris, Usman Khawaja, Marnus Labuschagne, Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Travis Head, Tim Paine (w/c), Pat Cummins, Mitchell Starc, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood India  (Playing XI): Lokesh Rahul, Mayank Agarwal, Cheteshwar Pujara, Virat Kohli (c), Ajinkya Rahane, Hanuma Vihari, Rishabh Pant (w), Ravindra Jadeja, Mohammed Shami, Kuldeep Yadav, Jasprit Bumrah

 

India has won the toss and has opted to bat first.

Here's our preview for today's encounter: India vs Australia Test series: India on the cusp of history

Tim Paine: We would have batted first too. There's a bit of grass coverage, hopefully we bring slips and keeper into play. We need to improve in all areas from Melbourne. We need to focus on doing the basics right. If we stay in the moment and put India under pressure, then we can be in the game. Marnus Labuschagne and Handscomb come back in. The top six - Khawaja will go to the top of the order. Marnus will bat at three, so we'll have Marsh, Head and Handscomb.

 

Virat Kohli: We are gonna have a bat first. Looks like a pretty good wicket, good covering of grass on it. The spinners will come into play; an ideal day to bat. We haven't discussed that to be honest. It's another Test match for our country, something we are very proud about. We have to play good, hard-fought cricket for the next five days. Rohit Sharma is back home. He's become a father which is a great thing. KL Rahul replaces him at the top of the order. Vihari comes in at six. Kuldeep Yadav comes in place of Ishant Sharma.

 

Pitch Report:  "This pitch has got a lot of moisture in it. It's very patchy. It will turn on day three, four and five. First two sessions on day 1, there'll be a bit for the pacers. You have got to bat first, but it won't be easy to bat in the first two sessions.'