Sehwag, 59, gives India strong start in Mohali Test

MOHALI - India gave a strong reply to Australia’s first innings score of 428 runs, reaching 110 for two at the end of the second day’s play of their first Test at the Punjab Cricket Association (PCA) stadium here Saturday.

Rahul Dravid (21) and night-watchman Ishant Sharma (0) were at the crease.

Opener Virender Sehwag looked poised for a big innings, but was dismissed for a strokeful 59 off 54 balls. The swashbuckling opener, who struck 10 fours, was out when he popped up a catch to Michael Clarke off a Mitchell Johnson delivery, minutes before the end of the day’s play.

With Sehwag leading the charge, India raced to 100 in just 99 balls.

The hosts lost opener Gautam Gambhir (25 runs) with 81 runs on the board. He fell leg before to pacer Johnson.

Australia were earlier bowled out for 428 runs in the first innings in the post-tea session Saturday.

Pacer Zaheer Khan, who had a tiff with Australian captain Ricky Ponting Friday, claimed another five-wicket haul, giving away 94 runs in 30 overs. Off-spinner Harbhajan Singh bagged three wickets.

Tim Paine (92) and Johnson (47) offered stiff resistance. Paine was unlucky to miss his century as he was caught by VVS Laxman off Zaheer.

Tailender Ben Hilfenhaus remained unbeaten on 20 runs. Doug Bollinger (0) was the last man out, giving spinner Pragyan Ojha his first wicket of the match.

Australia continued to frustrate India’s attempt to wind up their innings for the first two sessions of play Saturday. The visitors lost only one wicket in the first session of play.

Australia were 295 for the loss of six wickets at lunch.

Centurion Shane Watson (126) was caught by Gambhir off the bowling by spinner Harbhajjan Singh.

Indian skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni did not avail the new ball Saturday morning, relying on the spinners for the breakthrough.

Ishant, who left the field after bowling just 7.4 overs Friday, returned to play Saturday. He bowled in the post-lunch session but went wicketless.

Australia benefited from butter-finger Indian fielders, who dropped two more catches after grassing four catches Friday.