Australia vs India: Josh Hazlewood tries to get under Murali Vijay's skin

Indian batsmen won the early battle in the second innings.

Published - 08 Dec 2018, 10:53 IST | Updated - 08 Dec 2018, 10:53 IST

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The Indian openers, KL Rahul and Murali Vijay, are faring much better than the first innings in their second essay. They didn’t score much in the first 10 overs and concentrated on not playing at the deliveries outside the off-stump. Slowly and surely they looked assured at the crease and then started playing their shots especially Rahul who smacked a sensational six over covers to Pat Cummins. However, irked with the resistance, Josh Hazlewood tried to get under their skin but it hasn’t worked for them either.

India, earlier, earned a crucial 15-run lead in the first innings and then the hosts were hoping to run through their top-order with the helpful conditions on offer. The new cherry did move a tad and with a spongy bounce in the pitch, they were put in trouble as well. But the Indian batsmen in the middle were giving themselves some time unlike the first innings and luck also favoured them big time.

Hazlewood sledges; Vijay responds

After the first few overs, it was evident that the Aussie quicks were frustrated with the resistance and finally they started to get under the skin of the batsmen. Some words were being exchanged and surprisingly, Josh Hazlewood, who usually lets his ball do the talking, also got involved in an altercation with Murali Vijay. During the concluding stages of his first spell, the fast bowler, after completing one of his overs, had something to say to the batsman in his follow-through.

Vijay, who was looking increasingly confident now, also responded bravely. Though it wasn’t clear what actually happened between the two, there was surely some tension in the middle. Even Pat Cummins was in Rahul’s ears constantly but the Karnataka batsman made his bat to do the job.

Meanwhile, Vijay has been snaffled by Mitchell Starc but not before the opening pair scored 63 runs together. Though the right-hander got out in a similar fashion in this innings again he played 53 balls during his stay and score 18 runs.