Australia close in on famous win after Nathan Lyon's stunning haul
Lyon was the star for Australia in the second innings as the tourists came close to their first win in India since 2017. Lyon's 8/64 were the third-best bowling figures by a visiting spinner.
| Bowler | Bowling figures | Venue and Year |
| Ajaz Patel | 10/119 | Mumbai, 2021 |
| Nathan Lyon | 8/50 | Bengaluru, 2017 |
| Nathan Lyon | 8/64 | Indore, 2023 |
| Jason Krejza | 8/215 | Nagpur, 2008 |
| Hedley Verity | 7/49 | Chennai, 1934 |
| Richard Benaud | 7/72 | Chennai, 1956 |
| Rahkeem Cornwall | 7/75 | Lucknow, 2019 |
| Nathan Lyon | 7/94 | Delhi, 2013 |
| Lance Gibbs | 7/98 | Mumbai, 1975 |
| Muttiah Muralitharan | 7/100 | Delhi, 2005 |
India were bowled out for 163, setting a target of 76 runs. Australia will begin their chase on third day of the Test.
Ravi Shastri joins Sanjana Ganesan on The ICC Review and reveals how highly he rates Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja among India's best ever spinners
India batters struggle on tough surface
Low bounce and turn became the nemesis for India’s top and middle-order batters, as Rohit Sharma (12), Shubman Gill (5) and Virat Kohli (13) failed to get going in the second innings as well.
However, India’s crisis man Pujara stood tall at one end to help India put up an improved show.
Providing him assistance were Shreyas Iyer, who scored a charged-up 26 from 27 balls comprising three fours and two sixes, and Ravichandran Ashwin, who scored 16 in a 27-run stand for the seventh wicket with Pujara.
Shreyas Iyer on the charge. Goes for a maximum off Matthew Kuhnemann.#TeamIndia with a lead of 23 runs now.
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 2, 2023
Live - https://t.co/xymbrIdO60 #INDvAUS @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/jlHiAFmCdv
Pujara scored 59 from 142, and looked all set to extend India’s lead further before an exceptional take from Steve Smith off Nathan Lyon at leg slip ended his stay.
A stunner from Steve Smith draws curtains on Cheteshwar Pujara's valiant innings 😱#WTC23 | #INDvAUS | 📝: https://t.co/FFaPxt9fIY pic.twitter.com/puEqQjPKe4
— ICC (@ICC) March 2, 2023
Lyon's masterclass in spin accounted for eight India batters on the day. He finished with 11/99 in the game.
This was his 23rd five-for in Tests, and the ninth occasion he has achieved this feat against India.
The off-spinner became the second-highest wicket-taker against India in Tests. With 113 wickets in 25 Tests, he sits only behind England’s James Anderson, who has 139 wickets against India in 35 Tests.
Lyon's 113 wickets also make him the leading wicket-taker in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. He overtook leg-spinning great Anil Kumble's tally of 111 wickets during his eight-for.
Umesh-Ashwin get 6/11 to restrict Australia
Earlier in the day, Peter Handscomb and Cameron Green saw off the first hour of play with relative ease. The pair looked largely untroubled as they added 30 runs to the overnight total.
India’s comeback began when Iyer took a sharp chance off Handscomb at short leg off Ashwin.
Ashwin gets the breakthrough!
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 2, 2023
Much needed for #TeamIndia as @ashwinravi99 breaks the partnership between Cameron Green & Peter Handscomb.
Live - https://t.co/t0IGbs2qyj #INDvAUS @mastercardindia pic.twitter.com/tC3HwlnGlq
In less than six overs, Ashwin and Umesh Yadav ran through the Australia line-up, taking three wickets each. Australia lost their last six wickets for 11 runs.
Umesh ended with 3/12, and crossed 100 Test wickets in India. He became the 13th bowler to reach this landmark.
ICYMI - 𝟭𝟬𝟬𝘁𝗵 𝗧𝗲𝘀𝘁 𝘄𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗲𝘁 in India for @y_umesh 💪
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 2, 2023
What a ball that was from Umesh Yadav as he cleans up Mitchell Starc to grab his 100th Test wicket at home. #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/AD0NIUbkGB