Modified action replay of the first Test at Nagpur – This is how the second Test between India and Australia at Delhi can be summarised. Australia won the toss and batted, Ravindra Jadeja became the Man of the Match, Australia collapsed in one session in the second innings, Test ended in 3 days, those looking for similarities can find many. Pujara made his hundredth Test match, a memorable one by scoring the winning runs.

Usman Khawaja’s positive start gave hopes to those who were expecting Australians to bounce back in this Test match, but the unsung hero of the first Test, Shami, made crucial break throughs. Though Siraj went wicketless, his accurate spell tormented Warner and led to his downfall. The effect of Warner’s inability to give a flying start to Australian innings was conspicuous in the first Test at Nagpur and this was no different in Delhi. Warner’s withdrawal from this Test match after getting hit by a Siraj bouncer did not seem to hurt Australia. Khawaja’s splendid innings was cut short by a stunning catch by Rahul and Peter Handscomb with the support of Cummins and Lyon took the Australian total to 263 after being 168 for 6. Though there was a consolation to Australians that they scored more than what they scored in the first Test, their inability to utilise the advantage of winning the toss gave a psychological advantage to Indians.

21 for no loss at the end of the first day and 46 for no loss on the second day morning made many Indian supporters dream about a huge total but Lyon’s magical spell shattered their hopes. Middle order again collapsed like in Nagpur and Kohli looked all set to play a long innings like the one played by Rohit in Nagpur, but a controversial decision did him in. At 139 for 7, Indian innings was in tatters but was resurrected by a well-knit century partnership between Axar and Ashwin. A slender one run lead for Australia never bothered Indians.

Two hundred plus was a winning total on this pitch and Australians went to bat in the second innings with this realization. Travis Head who opened in place of Warner was determined to turn the match on its head with his aggressive batting. 61 for 1 after 12 overs at the end of the second day gave Australians, some glimpses of revival. But Indian spinners on the third day morning, had different plans. Jadeja and Ashwin decimated the Australian batsmen who came with a premeditated plan to sweep Indian spinners. Australian shot selection was pathetic and failure of batsmen like Smith with proven credentials against spin bowling in India surprised many. 113 all out after being 85 for 2 depicted the intensity of Australian collapse.

Though 115 was never a challenging target, Australian collapse in the morning made many, expect a twist in the tale. Rohit gave a flying start and Bharat played a little cameo at the end and enabled Pujara to hit the winning runs. 6 wicket win enabled India to go up 2-0 in the four Test Border Gavaskar trophy and retain it even if the series ends in a draw.

Australians didn’t learn anything from the Nagpur debacle and this was evident in the way they batted in this Test. They were wary of the pitch and their shot selection was awful. Australian decision to play 3 spinners and a lone fast bowler did not have the desired effect. Cummins could not do what Shami did in Delhi. For the second time in a row, it was the trio of Indian spin allrounders, Jadeja, Axar and R Ashwin (JAR) which defeated the Australians with the ball and the bat.

Unless the visiting Australians devise a new technique to put a lid on Indian JAR, outcome of the remaining two Tests will be no different.