[caption id="attachment_38448" align="aligncenter" width="580"]C6JbLAWWAAAhDjX Shaun Marsh scored 66 runs for Australia on day 2. Image Source: BCCI[/caption] Internet Desk: Australian batsmen showed some great intent on the crease, as the visitors took a crucial lead of 48 runs in the first innings as they reached 237 for six at the end of the second day of the second Test in Bengaluru on Sunday. On a tough wicket to bat on, Aussie opener Matt Renshaw (60) and Shaun Marsh (66) showed tremendous resilience against the top Indian spinners like Ravi Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. Both of them scored fighting half-centuries which helped Australia to take a vital lead in the first innings. With a spin friendly track, left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja (3/49) was the top wicket-taker of the home side, but surprisingly Kohli gave him just 17 overs to bowl compared to Ravi Chandran Ashwin (1/75 in 41 overs). Ashwin bowled with a tight line against Australia and beat the bat in various occasions. But among all the bowlers Jadeja looked most lethal against the visitors. Though the Australians produced better fight on a two-paced pitch. Jadeja was using the rough created on both sides of the stumps more effectively but Kohli's decision was baffling as he even gave Karun Nair an over in the end. It was perhaps one of the most intense and intriguing days of Test cricket in the current home season where the batting team managed a total of 197 runs off 90 overs in a single day's play. A first innings lead of even 100 runs would be as good as a 175-run lead on this track, which would make it even more difficult for the Indian batsmen, already under pressure after three poor innings of under 200 runs. Unlike India, Australia had some good partnerships including a 52-run opening stand between David Warner (33) and Renshaw after which the former was bowled by a classical off-break from Ashwin. Skipper Steve Smith (8), for a change, was dismissed cheaply with Wriddhiman Saha taking a fantastic catch off Jadeja's bowling. But the partnership that turned out to be crucial was the one between Renshaw and Marsh senior which yielded 52 runs. The duo came together at 82 for 2 and they consumed more than 25 overs. It was the manner in which they handled Umesh Yadav's reverse swing and the two spinners which made it difficult for the home team. Renshaw, in particular, was a revelation during his 196-ball stay. He showed solid defensive technique and hit five fours and a six off Jadeja before being stumped. Marsh, however, got an able ally in Matthew Wade (25 batting). The duo added 57 runs for the sixth wicket during which they got past India's first innings total. With inputs from PTI.

2nd Test, Day 2: Australia takes vital lead after some resilient batting