The Second Test between India and Australia is underway in New Delhi. The Australian team was bowled out for 263 runs in the 1st innings. Usman Khawaja (81) and Peter Handscomb (72) were the highest scorers for Australia. Ian Chappell praised Usman Khawaja for being proactive during his innings against India.
The Australia opener couldn’t get going in the 1st Test in Nagpur but seemed to be in fine touch in the second Test and played exceptionally well in the 1st innings. Khawaja effectively used his reverse sweep to play the spinners and the opener scared the hosts a bit on day one with his counter-attacking batting. Speaking to Cricinfo Ian Chappell said:
“You can’t really bring Nagpur into Khawaja as he was out cheaply and early in both innings. But I thought he was quite proactive and he used the reverse sweep to effect. I think he frightened the Indians a little bit,” said Chappell.
Chappell further went on to add that India reacted to his shots by changing the field accordingly and credited Khawaja to push India’s field back and take advantage of it.
We Will Have To Wait And See Tomorrow – Usman Khawaja On His Expectations In Day 2
At the End of Day 1, Khawaja feels that Australia’s first innings score is good and they will have to see how India bats tomorrow the Australian Opener said that they will look to take advantage of playing three spinners.
“’ I feel like [263] is pretty good, but we will have to wait and see tomorrow. They’re very good in their conditions. Now that we have three spinners in this team, especially on that wicket, it’s going to be quite challenging, just like their spinners were challenging. We won’t know the par score until tomorrow, unfortunately,” Khawaja said at a press conference after the first day’s play.
Khawaja backed his fellow opener Warner to come good and three innings cannot determine his quality. It is long test series and he hopes Warner to come back stronger.
“It’s never easy out there, especially when you’re opening the innings. I was lucky today, got a couple to get me going, sometimes you don’t get that. Three innings are not enough for me [to judge]. I think it’s still a long way to go in this Test series. Davy has been such a terrific player for such a long time, every time his backs are against the wall he produces something, so we’ll see,” Khawaja further added
The Day 2 of the Second Test has resumed in Delhi. Rohit Sharma and Kl Rahul will look to provide a solid start for India in the 1st innings.