‘This is a message to the top order’: Sourav Ganguly on Ajinkya Rahane and Shardul Thakur’s partnership

India started off with the hope of a partnership between Ajinkya Rahane and KS Bharat. However, Scott Boland’s second ball of the day pitched on a good length and nipped a touchback going through the defences of Bharat.Ricky Ponting on ICC feed: “Once he (Boland) got to London he focused on the nets measuring a length that is hitting the top of the stumps all the time. He has been bowling without a batsman. Visually seeing where it is pitching and hitting. Then he grooved that into his action He has got a feel for the exact length.”
Rahane playing late
Ajinkya Rahane pulled a ball into the stands for a six to reach his half-century on comeback. Despite taking body blows whenever Rahane drove he looked sublime. Compared to other batters who struggled to cope with the conditions Rahane looked technically sound.

Nasser Hussain on Star Sports: “He (Rahane) stays back in the crease and plays the ball right underneath him. If you watch him the ball falls right his feet. That’s the sign you are playing late and that is what you have to do in England. See early play it late.”
At Lunch: India 260/6Rahane-Shardul’s application
Shardul Thakur and Rahane got together and built a crucial partnership. Their 110-run partnership gave the side some inspiration. However, Cameron Green took a stunner at gully to dismiss Rahane and broke the partnership.
Sourav Ganguly on Starsports: “They showed it to the dressing room that if you apply and have a little bit of luck then you will be able to score runs on this wicket. Credit to Rahane, he was magnificent. Shardul got battered and bruised early on but he hung in there. He has batted well in the past in England and Australia. It’s a good fightback from India. This is a message to the top order.”
Labuschange’s alarm
David Warner after looking good in the first innings gets undone Mohammed Siraj who has been fabulous with the new ball irrespective of the colour.

Once Warner was dismissed, Marnus Labuschange, who was seen taking a nap moments earlier walked into the middle and was tested with a hostile atmosphere created Indian fans.
Langer on ICC feed: “The alarm is going off. All of a sudden for Marnus Labuschange. Don’t worry about the little beeping alarm in the morning. The India crowd is up and they should be up.”
At Tea: Australia 23-1Khawaja’s defensive mindset
Umesh Yadav who had a forgettable outing in the first innings was gifted a wicket in the second over of his spell immediately after the tea break. Khawaja who went into his shell and tried to play cautiously struggled to put away a half-volley which was outside the off-stump and nicked to give ‘keeper Bharat a regulation catch which gave India an early advantage in the final session.
Ravi Shastri on ICC feed: “This is what can happen when you are in a defensive mindset. When you see a certain ball that is there to hit your eyes light up and your feet just don’t go just the hands go. Umesh Yadav will be happy with this to lift his confidence. Australia is helping India here.”
Smith’s brain fade
Steve Smith came in with a proactive approach trying to increase the lead. Nevertheless, he was outfoxed Jadeja and his mimed and ugly charge saw him being caught.
Kumar Sangakkara on ICC feed: “He tries to go over mid-on Jadeja drops it shorter and much wider than the other deliveries and hence gets a leading edge that goes straight up.”

Sangakkara further adds why Smith tried to play an uncharacteric shot.” Mid-on is only halfway. Justin Langer called it. He will try and go over mid-on thinking there is not much turn. He tried but Jadeja is a bit too smart.”
At stumps: Australia is 123/4
Ajinkya Rahane after the day’s play: Painful but quite manageable (blow to his finger). Don’t think it’ll affect batting. Happy with the way I batted. Had a good day. Bowling wise we bowled well. On India’s chances, Rahane said, “Australia slightly ahead in the game. Jadeja bowled really well, footmarks helped him against the left-hander. Still feel wicket will help seam bowlers.”