India beat Australia in the second Test thanks to Ravindra Jadeja’s performance
For the second straight Test, India defeated Australia in 3 days to win the Border-Gavaskar trophy after the visitors lost in Delhi.
Australia collapsed to 113 all out against India’s elite spinners after resuming on 61-1, a lead of 62.
India now just needs 115 runs, thanks to Ravindra Jadeja’s Test-best 7-42 and Ravichandran Ashwin’s 3-59. In his 100th Test, Cheteshwar Pujara scored the decisive runs as they secured a six-wicket victory before tea.
India currently holds a commanding 2-0 series lead after winning the first Test by an innings and 132 runs. The third match will take place in Indore on March 1. It indicates that India has won the Border-Gavaskar Trophy for the fourth straight series.
Axar Patel and Ashwin helped India come back from 139-7 to post 262, giving them a one-inning lead before the visitors batted well and lost just one wicket by the end of the day. Australia began Sunday marginally ahead.
However, their plans to establish a sizable lead on a challenging, twisting pitch swiftly fell apart.
While Steve Smith was LBW against the off-spinner, one of many Australian hitters who were knocked out while seeking sweeps or reverse sweeps regardless of the low bounce, Travis Head nicked Ashwin behind after adding four to his overnight 39.
Jadeja bowled Marnus Labuschagne with a low ball; Matt Renshaw missed a wide swipe and was pinned leg before wicket by Ashwin; and Jadeja dismissed Peter Handscomb and Pat Cummins in quick succession.
The final three wickets were taken by Jadeja, ensuring Australia’s humiliation.
Pujara responded to a question about how to best overcome the difficulties of the field: “The sweep is not the best stroke to play since there is low bounce.” During their pursuit, India faltered at times, dropping to 6-1 when KL Rahul’s flick looped off Handscomb at short leg and was collected by wicketkeeper Alex Carey, and to 39-2 when leader Rohit Sharma was run out after a mix-up with Pujara.
Australia must draw one of the final two Tests to guarantee a spot in the World Test Championship final at The Oval in June, which will be decided in part by the series.
India, who are now second in the standings, will be eligible if they win this series 3-1 or better.
After being forced to leave the second Test due to a concussion and an arm fracture, Australia may be without opener David Warner for the rest of the series.