Day 3 is set up to be an interesting one. Australia already have a big score on the board. They'll look to further it at a brisk rate. India on the other hand, will obviously want to get them out early and have a go with the bat. Do join us for it. Till then, cheers!

India did make some inroads but it wasn't enough. Their fielding would be something they will rue dearly. Dropping Steven Smith of all people, that too three times, is not excusable at all. That has haunted them as the Aussie skipper has cruised along. Ravichandran Ashwin scalped 3 out of the 4 wickets and was brilliant, Jayant Yadav being the other to take the remaining 1.

30 overs, 97 runs and 2 wickets - Thoroughly Australia's day today. They dominated with the ball first and now, have set themselves up in a commanding position in this match. Steven Smith the man step up for Australia. He made a solid fifty and has had help from Matt Renshaw first, and now from his current partner Mitchell Marsh. The visitors lead by 298 runs and are primed to motor along further.

Ravindra Jadeja to Mitchell Marsh, Loops this up outside off, Marsh pushes it towards point. Australia lead by 298 runs. AND IT'S STUMPS!

The Aussies are marching onto the ground. KL Rahul and Ajinkya Rahane too have arrived at the crease. Gripping session awaits us and we are more than happy to bring it to you. Steve O'Keefe will kick off the second session for Australia.

DAY 2, SESSION 2

Australia have dominated this session thoroughly. The Indian openers, Murali Vijay and KL Rahul started cautiously and it seemed like they were in control. But Josh Hazlewood in his first over removed Vijay to bring Pujara at the centre. And as expected, it was Mitchell Starc who was the thorn in the hosts' flesh. He struck twice in his comeback spell to put India on the back foot. Among his victims was the home side's captain Virat Kohli, who had his first duck in India.

Australia have dominated this session thoroughly. The Indian openers, Murali Vijay and KL Rahul started cautiously and it seemed like they were in control. But Josh Hazlewood in his first over removed Vijay to bring Pujara at the centre. And as expected, it was Mitchell Starc who was the thorn in the hosts' flesh. He struck twice in his comeback spell to put India on the back foot. Among his victims was the home side's captain Virat Kohli, who had his first duck in India.

LUNCH

#WICKET  Mitchell Starc to Virat Kohli, OUT! Supreme bowling this from Starc. He's dismissed India's captain Kohli for a nought. It is his first duck in India. Fullish delivery, way outside off, Kohli leans forward wanting to drive and edges it to Handscomb at first slip who takes a good low catch. There was no need to play at it as it could have been left alone. India are in a bit of a trouble and the Australians are delighted. Kohli has to wait near the boundary line because Rahane wasn't ready. But the vice captain has arrived and off he goes to the pavilion.

#WICKET Mitchell Starc to Cheteshwar Pujara, OUT! Wow what a ball, surprised Pujara. Back of a length delivery, around off, Pujara was neither forward nor back and flirts with it. Ends up gloving it to Wade. A superb delivery from Starc and gets the result for it. The crowd is suddenly buzzing because you know who is going to arrive at the centre!

#WICKET Josh Hazlewood to Murali Vijay, OUT! HAZLEWOOD STRIKES! Gets a wicket and too in his very first over. Shows just what a disciplined bowler can do. Bowls it marginally ahead of a length, outside off, Murali Vijay has no choice but to play at it as it's too close to him. He edges it and it's taken comfortably by Matthew Wade behind the stumps. Early breakthrough for Australia, just the wicket they wanted.

INDIA 1st innings

So.... That didn't take long. Took Ravichandran Ashwin only 5 deliveries to wrap things up. The ideal start for Virat Kohli and his men. Now, they trail by 260 runs and their main objective will be to post a big first innings total. Stay tuned as the Indians will be coming out to bat soon.

94.5 overs: Ravichandran Ashwin to Mitchell Starc, OUT! And it's all over. Floated delivery, outside off, Starc kneels and slog sweeps to go over deep mid-wicket. He gets the connection but the elevation wasn't quite there. Jadeja takes an easy catch. AUSTRALIA ARE ALL OUT FOR 260!

We are ready to get underway as the players and umpires have made their way out in the middle. Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood to continue with the bat, their objective will be to score as briskly as possible. Ravichandran Ashwin to start off with the ball first up...

Pitch Report - There are cracks and rough areas, somewhere around a short of a length, that will cause the batsmen to think about what to do. The key is to play as late as possible, as it was shown by Matt Renshaw yesterday. Playing late will allow the batsmen to play any kind of shot they want, either attack or defend. It's a dry surface, there's a bit more turn, a bit more exaggeration. So the advice from the centre is to play as late as possible.

Hello and welcome to the coverage of Day 2 of the 1st Test between India and Australia. As expected, the Pune deck started spinning from the word go. Despite that, the Australians showed grit and determination to score 256 runs at the loss of 9 wickets. At one stage, it seemed like they would be bundled out below 250 but Mitchell Starc played a counter-attacking innings and slammed his 9th Test fifty. Starc and Hazlewood are still at the centre and their aim would be to take their total close to 300. Can they do so or will India will bundle them out in the first few overs itself? We will find out soon...