CHENNAI: Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli hit unbeaten half-centuries as India recovered from two early jolts to leave the first Test. against Australia evenly poised on Saturday.
The 39-year-old veteran, who had been struggling for form for a long time, played with decisive footwork and a positive frame of mind to guide India to 182 for three in 52 overs on the second day at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, which saw local boy Ravi Ashwin grab a career-best seven-wicket haul.
The 39-year-old veteran, who had been struggling for form for a long time, played with decisive footwork and a positive frame of mind to guide India to 182 for three in 52 overs on the second day at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, which saw local boy Ravi Ashwin grab a career-best seven-wicket haul.
Tendulkar (71) and Virat Kohli (50) were at the crease when stumps were drawn with India still trailing by 198 runs. The two have so far added 77 runs for the fourth wicket.
Resuming at the overnight score of 316-7, the Australians continued to frustrate the Indians with captain Michael Clarke (130) and the tailenders combining to score 64 more runs to take the score to a competitive 380.
Ashwin, who had scalped six wickets on the opening day, claimed the wicket of last man Nathan Lyon to return with figures of 7-103
The Indian reply was disastrous to start with as openers Virender Sehwag (10) and Murali Vijay (2) departed in close succession, falling to tearaway pacer James Pattinson, but Cheteshwar Pujara (44) and Tendulkar steadied the innings to some extent with a 93-run third-wicket partnership.
Just when the duo seemed to be cruising along comfortably, Pattinson provided the breakthrough when he came back for his second spell by accounting for Pujara.
Pujara fell to an off-cutter in the 29th over after striking six fours in his 76-ball stay at the crease.
Earlier, both the openers were out bowled. Vijay was the first to go after a 15-ball stay, which included two fours, done in by Pattinson's pace.
Sehwag quickly followed his partner back to the pavilion, failing to spot a slower one from Pattinson which bounced inside the crease and dislodged the bail of his leg stump.
But Pujara and Tendulkar steadied the rocking boat, bringing up the team's 50 in the 13th over. The two displayed patience but at the same time kept the scoreboard ticking.
They completed a half-century stand for the third wicket in 68 deliveries to rescue India from the precarious position.
Tendulkar was then joined by Kohli, who had a disappointing series against England, unleashed a flurry of shots to announce his return to form.
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