Twitter Reactions: Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin hold fort for hosts on Day 2

Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin rescued the Indian team after a major collapse with a potential match-defining partnership in the second Test match against Australia on Day 2. After bowling out the visitors for just 263 runs on Day 1, the Indian team seemed on track for another big win in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy 2023. But Nathan Lyon managed to use the pitch well on Day 2 to bowl out the hosts for 262 runs.

Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul resumed the play from 21/0 on Day 2 but they struggled for a good start. Lyon gave Australia an opening with Rahul's wicket with just 46 runs on the scoreboard. Rohit seemed in control and looked destined for another big knock but was bowled by an unplayable delivery from Lyon, just 13 deliveries after Rahul's dismissal.

Lyon then bagged another big wicket in the form of Cheteshwar Pujara who was dismissed for a duck. The returning batter Shreyas Iyer also failed to make an impact and was caught at short leg on Lyon's delivery and the Indian team was struggling at 66/4.

Virat Kohli and Ravindra Jadeja then avoided further fall of wickets with a sensible 59-run partnership for the fifth wicket to bring back India into the game. But Todd Murphy broke the partnership with Jadeja's wicket who scored 26 runs.

Debutant Matthew Kuhnemann shocked India with Kohli's wicket on a controversial decision. Kohli scored 44 off 84 with four fours and seemed on track to end his century drought in Tests. Lyon bagged his fifth wicket by dismissing wicketkeeper-batter Srikar Bharat and India were down at 139/7. The Australian team seemed on track for a big lead in the first innings in Delhi.

But then spin all-rounders Axar and Ashwin dominated the game with a crucial 114-run partnership for the eighth wicket. Axar top-scored with 74 off 115 while Ashwin added 37 off 71 as the Indian team closed the gap. Pat Cummins broke the partnership after the introduction of the second new ball and then Murphy and Kuhnemann took one wicket each to bowl out India for 262 runs.

With a one-run lead, Usman Khawaja and Travis Head opened the second innings for Australia. Jadeja gave India an early success with Khawaja's wicket with just 23 runs on the scoreboard. But Head and Marnus Labuschagne adopted an aggressive approach to avoid any slip-ups in the remaining overs. Head scored 39* off just 40 with five fours and a six and Labuschagne added 16* off 19 to help Australia score 61/1 in just 12 overs at the end of Day 2.

Here is how Twitter reacted to India vs Australia, Test 2, Day 2 play:

That wasn't out to me. Too much doubt in there. #INDvAUS #ViratKohli pic.twitter.com/wrYGg1e1nT

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) February 18, 2023

Kohli looked angry after being given out by the third umpire.#INDvAUS #ViratKohli𓃵 #Umpire pic.twitter.com/AiE8gbcDkd

— Akhil Gupta 🏏 (@Guptastats92) February 18, 2023

These two 44s of Virat Kohli are more valuable than many 50s pic.twitter.com/O2HjCPfX8g

— leishaa ✨ (@katyxkohli17) February 18, 2023

Indian fans were sleeping peacefully on a Saturday morning then Nathan Lyon came and switched off the fan. Now everyone's wide awake! #INDvAUS

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) February 18, 2023

End of an extraordinary knock from Axar Patel, 74 runs when India was down & out in the Delhi test. He has given a great chance for India. pic.twitter.com/SW8fUhqxff

— Johns. (@CricCrazyJohns) February 18, 2023

A vital partnership between Axar Patel and Ravichandran Ashwin helps India get close to Australia's total 👏#WTC23 | #INDvAUS | 📝: https://t.co/HS93GIzcmq pic.twitter.com/UQYfoN30Bj

— ICC (@ICC) February 18, 2023

Axar Patel (158) is 🇮🇳’s highest run scorer in this series so far. Jadeja (96) and Ashwin (60) are 3rd & 4th highest.

Axar+Jadeja+Ashwin
314/6

KL+Pujara+Virat+SKY+Iyer+Bharat
126/10

— Michael Appleton (@michelappleton) February 18, 2023

Something weird... and unique. Ashwin takes off his thigh guard when facing spin from both ends. As soon as Pat Cummins comes on, he calls for the thigh guard, that too only his front leg one. #IndvAus

— Chetan Narula (@chetannarula) February 18, 2023

Players to get out for a duck in their 100th Test match :-

Dilip Vengsarkar 🇮🇳
Allan Border 🇦🇺
Courtney Walsh 🏝️
Mark Taylor 🇦🇺
Stephen Fleming 🇳🇿
Alastair Cook 🏴󠁧󠁢󠁥󠁮󠁧󠁿
Brendon McCullum 🇳🇿
Cheteshwar Pujara 🇮🇳 (today)#INDvAUS #BGT2023

— Rhitankar Bandyopadhyay (@rhitankar8616) February 18, 2023

Lyon was on the charge before Axar and Ashwin stopped him. Superb partnership 👏🏽😄 #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/6nAFULSWl3

— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) February 18, 2023

Ravi Ashwin in the elite list. pic.twitter.com/809TlGzwch

— Mufaddal Vohra (@mufaddal_vohra) February 18, 2023