Second Test: India all out for 408

Brisbane, Dec 18:

The five-wicket haul by fast bowler Josh Hazlewood helped Australia bowl out India for 408 all out on the second day of the Second Test here this morning.

India lost 6 wickets for 97 runs in this session.

Apart from Vijay (144) and Rahane (81), none of the batsmen crossed 35. India might have squandered the advantage here.

India, who were in the driver’s seat at stumps on day one, added 97 runs more runs to their overnight score but lost six wickets in the process.

The visitors were put on the back foot almost immediately with Ajinkya Rahane (81) being dismissed in the third over of the day. His overnight partner Rohit Sharma (32) didn’t survive much longer either and was sent packing six overs later.

After adding just 17 runs, India had lost both their overnight batsmen and had relinquished their strong position.

A 57-run partnership for the seventh wicket between captain Mahendra Singh Dhoni (33) and Ravichandran Ashwin (35) stabilised the situation for India. But Ashwin’s wicket once again opened the floodgates as the visitors surrendered rather meekly in the end.

Dhoni looked good for a while but edged a Hazlewood delivery to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin while trying to leave the ball.

India’s tail failed to put up a fight and fell without much trouble for the Australian bowlers. Hazlewood bowled quite beautifully to finish with a five-for, and he looked like taking wickets whenever he hit the right length. (IANS)