Ahmedabad: Australia batsmen Usman Khawaja (180) and Cameron Green (114), along with tailenders Nathan Lyon (34) and Todd Murphy (41), made India bowlers toil as the visiting team ended its first innings at 480 on the second day of the fourth and final Test, at the Narendra Modi Stadium in Motera. India went to stumps at 36 without loss.
The second day’s first session was a rare one on Indian soil to not see a wicket fall, especially of the touring side as both Khawaja and Green frustrated the Indian bowlers. Beginning at 255/4, they added 92 runs in 29 overs with Khawaja reaching 150 and Green 95 as India searched for wickets in vain with no assistance from the pitch.
The two took their partnership to 200 post lunch before R Ashwin (6/91) got into the act, claiming a couple of quick wickets. He first had Green caught behind off a sweep. The ball was travelling beyond the leg-stump but Green managed to glove it.
Ashwin then deceived Alex Carey (0) who was caught at short third-man. From 378/4, Australia slipped to 378/6 and soon they were 387/7 after Mitchell Starc (6) was caught at short-leg.
Khawaja and Nathan Lyon saw the team past 400 and through to tea.
However, Axar Patel had a tired Khawaja leg-before off a review. Khawaja batted for over 10 hours without giving any opportunity to the Indian bowlers.
If India thought they could dismiss Australia within 425, they were proved wrong as Lyon added 70 runs with Murphy for the ninth wicket. Australia batted for 167.2 overs.
The Indian openers Rohit Sharma (batting 17) and Shubman Gill (18 not out) negotiated the new ball well and saw off the pace bowlers before Australia skipper Steve Smith brought in his spinners after five overs.
