Mohali, Oct 19 (IANS) A five-wicket haul by debutant spinner Amit Mishra put India in a commanding position over Australia in the second cricket Test at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium here Sunday.
India now have an overall lead of 301 runs with two more days to go in the match.
Earlier, India wrapped up Australia for 268 runs, just one run short of follow-on, in the post-tea session but decided to bat instead of enforcing the follow-on.
Virender Sehwag (53 batting) and Gautam Gambhir (46 batting) laid a strong foundation for the Indian second innings with an attacking stand of 100 runs in 23 overs. Sehwag hit six boundaries while Gambhir struck four elegant boundaries before stumps were drawn.
But the day belonged to Mishra, who took full advantage of the Mohali wicket to end with figures of five for 71. His victims were Simon Katich, Michael Clarke, Shane Watson, Cameroon White and Peter Siddle.
Mishra was the sixth bowler in Indian cricket history to get a five-wicket haul in his maiden Test.
Michael Hussey (54) and Shane Watson were the only Australian batsmen to put up any resistance Sunday morning. Watson batted superbly for his 78 runs.
Resuming at the overnight score of 102 for four, Australia lost three wickets in the first session with a follow-on threat staring them.
Hussey and Brad Haddin showed initial resistance before the former edged Ishant Sharma to wicketkeeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni.
Haddin (9) also departed soon as his stumps were rattled by off-spinner Harbhajan Singh. Cameroon White (5) did not last long and was bowled by Mishra.
Watson then got good support from Brett Lee, who made 35 before edging one to Rahul Dravid at slip off Harbhajan Singh.
None of the Australian batsmen could build a partnership other than the eighth wicket stand of 73 runs between Watson and Bret Lee (35).
India opted not to enforce the follow-on, meaning that Australia will have to bat last on a track that is almost certain to turn on the fifth day.
When the Indian openers came out for their second innings, the Australian fast bowlers failed to extract anything from the pitch unlike their Indian counterparts.
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