2nd Test Day 1 Review - India v Australia @ Bangalore

Inspired Australia Dominate Day 1

Career best figures of 8/50 from Nathan Lyon helped propel Australia towards a dominant position on Day 1 of the Second Test match in Bangalore. On a pitch not as dry and cracked as Pune, but still taking some prodigious turn and bounce, India were bundled out for 189 before Australian openers, David Warner and Matt Renshaw, safely saw the tourists to stumps at 0/40. With Australia just one win away from retaining the Border-Gavaskar series, unbelievably India are now just one morbid day away from conceding the Trophy everyone thought they would be taking back in emphatic fashion.

Once again, it was KL Rahul who played somewhat of a lone hand, scoring 90 on his home ground, before being the second last wicket to fall. India's big name middle order of Pujara, Kohli and Rahane once again failed to fire as India collapsed from a strong position of 1/72 just an over before lunch, having won a vital toss. Despite not picking up the big haul of Lyon, First Test hero Steven O'Keefe played a good holding role, going at less than 2 runs per over on his way to 1/40. Australian now know that if they can score 300+ here they will be on their way to a famous trophy clinching win. The tourists have played with real intent, energy and belief from Day 1 in this series and are thriving on the underdog tag. After so many disastrous tours to the sub-continent, Australia are now on the brink of something special. 

Lyon No Longer An Unsung Hero

For years you felt like Nathan Lyon was somewhat of an unsung hero among the Australia Test set up. Quiet, understated, somewhat shy of the spotlight, he has gone about his business for years, forever seemingly having to cement his place in the team. Despite becoming the most successful off-spinner bowler in Australia's history, Lyon has often been on the brink of being dropped or talked about as being on his last legs a number of times. However, whenever he has found his spot under pressure, he has responded with typically classy and fighting performances. Late last summer, Lyon had picked up just 8 wickets in the first four Tests of the Summer, at an average over 60, and looked a shadow of his best. However he responded in fine style in Melbourne and Sydney.  

However, never has he been in more command of his craft than he has been on this tour of India, and yesterday he got the reward his bowling has deserved. I think now he is bowling as well as he has at any time in his career, and is a bowler at the peak of his powers. I thought, despite only picking up 5 wickets in Pune to Steven O'Keefe's 12, Lyon bowled just as well as his spinning teammate. He bowled a really aggressive line and length and didn't get too straight which is what he can do when he gets a bit defensive. Yesterday Lyon was mesmerising, generating turn, but more importantly significant bounce which had the classy Indian batting line-up clutching at straws. No longer is Lyon an unsung hero. He is now a cult hero among the Australian public, not only due to his quality, but because of his understated and humble personality. If he can lead Australia to a series win here in India, it will be the highlight of his career and enhance his legacy even further. 

India Look Tired And Lacking Motivation

At the moment this series is threatening to turn into a no-contest with India looking lifeless and jaded. Many people expected this to be a one-sided Test Series, however no one in their right mind predicted that it would be Australia dominating from the  outset. There appears little inspiration or energy in this Indian side at the minute. On the back of a gruelling home Test Summer, this team is showing all the effects of mental weariness and closed minds as they slumped towards a third straight score under 200. Virat Kohli spoke of his side rebounding in strong fashion in Bangalore, however they look like hollow words as he and his men crumbled on Day 1. India seem to be playing within their shell with the bat, as a defensive and negative mindset cripples them to the crease and lets Australia's spinners dictate terms. No more so has this been evident than the displays of  Kohli, the best batsman in the world, who has now twice been out while failing to play a shot. 

However, Australia do need to be wary. The game can move at a very quick pace on wickets like this, so Australia still need to establish a strong First Innings' lead if they want to control this game. On these raging turners, an hour's play can decide a Test Match, one way or the other, and the tourists will know a batting collapse is always possible on wickets such as this once the opposition gets a sniff and seizes some momentum. If someone can step up and score a century here, as Steve Smith did in Pune, it will really put a nail in the Indian coffin.