NEW DELHI: A stunning one-handed catch by KL Rahul ended Usman Khawaja's gritty knock of 81 as India took firm control against Australia on the opening day of the second Test on Friday.
Australia, who were at 94 for 3 at lunch, went on to lose another three wickets in the afternoon session with the opposition batters continuing to surrender against spinners to be at 199/6 at Tea.
Playing his first match of the series, Travis Head went for a slash off Mohammad Shami and a thick edge travelled quickly to Rahul, who took a sharp catch at second slip.
Rahul's second catch to send back Khawaja (81 off 125) was the most crucial moment of the session. Having scored the chunk of runs sweeping the ball on either side, Khawaja went for the reverse off Ravindra Jadeja in the 46th over but Rahul pulled off a sensational one-handed catch at point to end his solid stay in the middle.
1/10:Australia go into 2nd Test against India with just one pacer
Getty Images
2/10:One pacer in a Test
<p>Australia going into a Test match with just one pacer is a rarity.</p>Getty Images
3/10:Australia trail 0-1
<p>Australia lost the opening Test of the Border Gavaskar Trophy by an innings and 132 runs on a turning track.</p>Getty Images
4/10:Captain Cummins
<p>The defeat prompted captain Pat Cummins to go three spinners -- Nathan Lyon, Todd Murphy and debutant Matthew Kuhnemann -- in the second Test in Delhi.</p>Getty Images
5/10:3 regular spinners
<p>This is the first time in more than five years that Australia are playing three regular spinners.</p>Getty Images
6/10:The 2017 Test
<p>The previous occasion was the 2017 Test against Bangladesh in Chattogram, where the visitors went in with three tweakers -- Lyon, Ashton Agar and O'Keefe.</p>Getty Images
7/10:Mitchell Starc
<p>Pacers Cameron Green and Mitchell Starc were not selected due to injury concerns and Josh Hazlewood has a left Achilles tendon issue. </p>AFP
8/10:Only pacer
<p>That means Cummins is the only quick who will do all the heavy lifting in the pace-bowling department. </p>PTI
9/10:Travis Head
<p>Travis Head, who is back in the playing XI, and Marnus Labuschagne can also shoulder the bowling burden with their spin.</p>Getty Images
10/10:Shreyas Iyer
<p>India made one change with Shreyas Iyer in for Suryakumar Yadav. </p>AFPThe final wicket of the session was Alex Carey, who only lasted five balls with Ravichandran Ashwin having him caught at first slip.
Peter Handscomb (36 batting off 75) and skipper Pat Cummins (21 off 31) were in the middle at the break.
Earlier, Ashwin (3/57 in 21 overs) removed Marnus Labuschagne (18) and Steve Smith (0) in quick succession despite Khawaja's well compiled knock that had eight fours and a six over extra cover off the senior off-spinner.
This was after Khawaja and David Warner (15) added 50 runs for the opening stand as the visiting team gave a better account of themselves after skipper Cummins opted to bat first.
While Khawaja was more assertive with his footwork and started with a square driven boundary, Warner struggled a lot during the first hour.
In fact, the Kotla strip aided better bounce and carry with Mohammed Siraj bowling a brisk first spell.
While Shami erred in length during his first three-over spell from the Old Pavilion End, Siraj bowled quick and hurried both Warner and Khawaja with pace and bounce.
Warner's slowed down reflexes caused him trouble with Siraj rattling him with quick deliveries. Warner got hit on the elbow, which required medical attention and then on the head, which needed an on-field concussion test.
Having been softened up by Siraj, skipper Rohit Sharma changed Shami's end and brought him from the Delhi Gate side.
Having pushed him on the backfoot, Shami went wide of the crease and angled one in, forcing Warner to jab at it and the regulation catch was accepted by keeper Kona Bharat.
Khawaja, however, started using his feet against Ashwin and Jadeja and collected a few boundaries but it was Labuschagne, who got an off-break from Ashwin that beat him and DRS went in favour of India.
In case of Smith, full credit to keeper Bharat's reflexes and technique as he kept a low centre of gravity and the nick was collected inches off the ground to unsettle Australia who had good first 90 minutes before losing track.
(With PTI inputs)
