Australia vs. India, 4th Test, Day 2: Highlights, Scorecard and Report

Australia tightened their grip on the fourth Test with India in Sydney, as skipper Steven Smith’s golden period continued with another century.

Starting the day on an overnight score of 348 for 2, Australia pressed on before declaring on a mammoth 572 for 7.

India faced a tough examination late on the second day, and lost Murali Vijay for a duck, but they got through to stumps at 71 for 1.

Batsman	How Out	Runs	Minutes	Balls
M Vijay	c †Haddin b Starc	0	1	3
KL Rahul	not out	31		71
RG Sharma	not out	40		76
Extras		0
Total	(1 wicket; 25 overs)	71
Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wicket
MA Starc	6	2	17	1
RJ Harris	7	1	17	0
JR Hazlewood	4	1	10	0
NM Lyon	8	1	27	0

In all probability, Virat Kohli’s side are now playing to save the game after two days of dominant cricket from Australia.

Australia carried their momentum from day one into the second morning, as Smith and Shane Watson continued to dominate.

Smith ensured the headlines were his as he flicked a full toss off Umesh Yadav to bring up his ton.

"

Steve Smith is making a habit of these #ohwhatafeeling moments! https://t.co/axDCzkCnTX

— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) January 7, 2015"

In reaching three figures, Smith moved into elite company in the long form of the game.

"

Steve Smith equals Sir Donald Bradman, Jacques Kallis' record of scoring 4 consecutive tons in a Test series pic.twitter.com/pvYh9yiB4q

— TIMES NOW (@timesnow) January 7, 2015"

Their partnership had extended to 196 when Mohammed Shami made the breakthrough, with Watson caught at deep midwicket going for a big hit.

If India thought the breakthrough would bring about a change in fortunes they were sadly mistaken.

Smith edged behind to Yadav to bring an end to his innings at 117, but Shaun Marsh and Joe Burns took advantage of favourable batting conditions to rack up half centuries.

In the period shortly before and after tea, with a declaration on the cards, Australia’s batsmen made hay.

Marsh and Burns fell in search of quick runs, but Brad Haddin smashed his first ball for six and Ryan Harris plundered 19 off one Bhuvneshwar Kumar over before Smith made the declaration.

Batsman	How Out	Runs	Minutes	Balls
CJL Rogers	b Mohammed Shami	95	189	160
DA Warner	c Vijay b Ashwin	101	182	114
SR Watson	c Ashwin b Mohammed Shami	81	253	183
SPD Smith*	c †Saha b Yadav	117	268	208
SE Marsh	c †Saha b Mohammed Shami	73	151	116
JA Burns	c Rahul b Mohammed Shami	58	144	114
BJ Haddin†	not out	9	36	11
RJ Harris	c Ashwin b Mohammed Shami	25	11	9
Extras	(lb 6, w 7)	13
Total	(7 wickets dec; 152.3 overs)	572
Bowler	Overs	Maidens	Runs	Wickets
B Kumar	34	5	122	0
UT Yadav	27	5	137	1
Mohammed Shami	28.3	3	112	5
R Ashwin	47	8	142	1
SK Raina	16	3	53	0

India needed solidity, but three balls into the innings Vijay edged Mitchell Starc behind to Haddin.

Australia sensed blood and their bowlers were aggressive and disciplined, but Lokesh Rahul and Rohit Sharma rode their luck to take India to stumps at 71 for 1.

"

"More of that relentless line and length from @r_harris413." - @BrettLee_58. #PinkTest #AUSvIND #WWOS pic.twitter.com/WwYVx20W6A

— Wide World of Sports (@WWOS9) January 7, 2015"

Although the Australia bowlers probed superbly for openings late in the evening, the SCG pitch offered little by way of assistance and it will be tough going for the bowlers on day three.