Perth Test: Usman Khawaja wants Australian bowlers to be more disciplined
Australia reduced India to 8 for 2 but skipper Virat Kohli rescued the visitors with half-century stands with Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane as his side reached stumps on 172 for 3.
In Short
- India were reduced to 8/2 after Australia were bowled out for 326 on Day 2 of the Perth Test
- But Kohli rescued the visitors with half-century stands with Pujara and Rahane
- India reached 172/3 at stumps with Kohli 82 not out and Rahane unbeaten on 51
Australia batsman Usman Khawaja on Saturday urged his team's bowlers to be more disciplined when the play resumes on the third day of the second Test on Sunday.
Khawaja believed there was enough spice in the wicket for the bowlers to exploit in the morning session on Day 3 at the Perth Stadium.
After Australia made a competitive 326 in their first innings, spearheads Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood started spectacularly with the ball by dismissing India openers Murali Vijay and Lokesh Rahul inside the opening six overs.
India were reduced to 8 for 2 but skipper Virat Kohli rescued the visitors with half-century stands with Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane as his side reached stumps on 172 for 3.
Captain Kohli was 82 not out while his deputy Ajinkya Rahane was unbeaten on 51 to leave the match evenly poised.
Australia bowled accurately but the pitch, marked with widening cracks, settled down late in the day.
"It had [some] patches today, which were still doing a bit. I think we bowled well but we probably could have been more disciplined. Hopefully tomorrow we can be just a little bit better," Khawaja told reporters at the end of day's play.
Australia remain confident of grabbing a valuable first-innings lead.
Beyond Kohli and Rahane, who have shared an unbeaten 90-run partnership, India's batting order contains inexperienced pair Hanuma Vihari and Rishabh Pant, and a fragile lower-order.
"I think one or two wickets in the first session tomorrow will be pretty big for us," Khawaja said. "It isn't an easy wicket to bat on. We have to start well and then we can have a chance at that tail."
Khawaja praised Kohli's determined 181-ball knock, but reckoned Australia would have opportunities to knock over the India talisman.
"He was on early today and we gave him a couple of full balls and he hit us," Khawaja said. "He got away but he will have to start again tomorrow and we will have another chance."
India lead the four-match series after a nail-biting 31-run victory in Adelaide.
(With inputs from Reuters)