Vijay puts India in a strong position

The opener and Rahane capitalise on an injury-hit bowling attack

December 17, 2014 07:35 am | Updated November 16, 2021 04:51 pm IST - Brisbane

It is here that reputations are made. Mitchell Johnson pounding in on the first day morning, the iconic surface at the ’Gabba offering bounce and carry, and an Indian opener meeting the challenge with patience, heart and technique.

Murali Vijay’s 144 on Wednesday, an innings of equanimity and fierce focus, enhanced his growing reputation as a top-order batsman who can excel in conditions away from the sub-continent.

His 213-ball effort of substance and character also put India in a position of strength on the opening day of the second Test of the Border-Gavaskar series.

After M.S. Dhoni, rather bravely, elected to bat, India progressed to 311 for four on a hot, sweltering day that took its toll on the Australian pacemen.

It was also a day where the diminutive Ajinkya Rahane, pulling and cutting capably, went after the tired Australian attack in the final session to remain unbeaten with 75.

As the day wore on, Mitchell Starc suffered a sore back, debutant Josh Hazlewood had cramps and Mitchell Marsh left with a hamstring strain.

Vijay had worn down these bowlers, blunting them with a solid defence and his ability to pick the line, judge the bounce, and leave deliveries outside off-stump.

The 30-year-old opener’s concentration was intense; so much so that he had to be told by non-striker Rahane that he had reached his hundred after square-driving Shane Watson past the ropes. Only then did Vijay raise his bat, a shy smile adorning his face.

Batting at the ’Gabba demanded a lot more technically from the Indian batsmen than making runs at Adelaide where the surface was very Indian. He was impressive off his back foot. And when he went forward, he was not fully committed.

The right-hander deliberately took half a stride forward to ensure that he didn’t get caught out by the extra bounce just in case the ball rose off a length. The ploy also enabled him to shift his weight on to his back foot easily if the delivery was shorter. On most occasions, he was solidly behind the line.

Vijay, rightly, kept his eyes on the ball and swayed away when the Aussie pacemen bounced at him. Only later in his innings did he venture into the pull stroke.

Missed chances

He gave the odd chance which the Australians failed to convert. The right-hander was 36 when Johnson forced an edge from Vijay. A diving Shaun Marsh at third slip put down the opportunity.

And he was on 102, when Shaun again could not hold a powerful hit at cover off a Johnson slower delivery.

It was a good contest when Starc tried the two card trick. He delivered a sharp bouncer which Vijay watched fly past his nose to the ‘keeper. Starc’s next delivery was much fuller – he attempted to push him back and disrupt his footwork – and the left-arm paceman was driven through covers.

While he played the waiting game, Vijay did not allow loose deliveries go unpunished. Mitchell Marsh’s short and wide delivery was cut ruthlessly.

Johnson tested him with a searing yorker which he managed to dig out. The left-arm spearhead was later creamed through covers.

When he slashed, he did so hard. A Hazlewood lifter outside-off was dismissed to the square boundary. Horizontal bat shots are crucial in Australia.

Vijay, organised, changed gears after his hundred, striking Starc down the ground and back-cutting him. Lyon was hit over his head and swung for boundaries. A short-pitched ball from Hazelwood was pulled.

He went past the 2000-run mark in Tests before he stepped out to Lyon, bowling from round the wicket, and nicked to ’keeper Haddin. The opener walked back to a standing ovation.

Vijay and Rahane raised 124 runs for the fourth wicket that gave India the momentum.

Earlier, Shikhar Dhawan cut out the frills and supported Vijay. In the vital first hour, Australia failed to strike.

Dhawan undid his good work to flash fatally at Mitchell Marsh. Then, Cheteshwar Pujara, looking good, was unlucky to be adjudged caught behind off Hazlewood, when a bouncer brushed his helmet grill. Virat Kohli succumbed to a reckless shot outside-off.

Rahane was jumpy at the beginning but settled down to pierce the field. His footwork is exemplary and timing exquisite. In the last session of the day, Australia conceded 160 runs to lose ground. Rohit Sharma looked promising as well.

The Australian bowling lacked precision. This is a surface where the pacemen should have seamed the ball more from the three-quarters length.

Scoreboard

India — 1st innings: M. Vijay c Haddin b Lyon 144 (213b, 22x4), S. Dhawan c Haddin b Mitchell Marsh 24 (39b), C. Pujara c Haddin b Hazlewood 18 (64b, 1x4), V. Kohli c Haddin b Hazlewood 19 (27b, 1x4), A. Rahane (batting) 75 (122b, 7x4), Rohit (batting) 26 (34b, 2x4, 1x6); Extras (b-4, nb-1) 5; Total (for four wkts. in 83 overs): 311.

Fall of wickets: 1-56 (Dhawan), 2-100 (Pujara), 3-137 (Kohli), 4-261 (Vijay).

Australia bowling: Johnson 15-2-64-0, Hazlewood 15.2-5-44-2, Starc 14-1-56-0, Mitchell Marsh 6-1-14-1, Lyon 20-1-87-1, Watson 10.4-5-29-0, Warner 1-0-9-0, Smith 1-0-4-0.

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