Australia takes 2-0 lead against India

Australia took a 2-0 lead in the test series against India on Saturday, defeating the Indians by four wickets.

After dismissing the indians for 224 in their second innings, the Australians were left with what initially might have seemed a simple task of getting 128 runs to win the match.

It turned out to be anything but simple, however, as the Aussies struggled to reach the target, before eventually doing so at 130/6.

At the start of the day's play, the Indians, at 71/1, might have harboured thoughts of setting Australia a more substantial target. Mitchell Johnson, quiet up to this point in the match, had other ideas, it seemed. He quickly took care of Kohli, bowled for one, with just five runs added to the overnight total. His next over was even more devastating, Rahane out for 10 and Sharma for a duck, the score then 86/4. Johnson, at this point, had taken three wickets for ten runs, in 11 balls.

It got worse the following over, when MS Dhoni, the Indian captain, also went for a duck, LBW to Josh hazelwood.

From that position, it was always going to be difficult going for the Indians, particularly considering the fact that they started their second innings trailing Australia by... on first innings. They did recover somewhat, thanks in large measure to Dhawan who made a fighting 81, while struggling with a figure injury (suffered during practice before the start of the day's play).

Johnson, after his early heroics, ended with 4/61.

In the end, the target of 128 fell just short of the winning total that India needed, with the Australians making it home, fairly uncomfortably, with four wickets in hand, giving Steven Smith a victory in his first match as captain.

Chris Rogers top-scored in the run chase for the Aussies, with 55. 

4/61