Clinical Indian bowlers make it 1-1 against Aussies

Bengaluru [India], Mar. 7 (ANI): Star spinner Ravichandran Ashwin scalped a six-wicket haul as India clinched an emphatic 75-run win over Australia on Day Four of the second Test to level the four-match series 1-1 at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Tuesday. Chasing a target of 188-run, the Steve Smith-led side were bowled out for 112 in the last session of the day. Australian batsman struggled against India's spin attack as, besides Smith (28) and Peter Handscomb (24), none of the other batters were able to contribute much in their side's second innings. Ashwin was the pick of the bowlers for India as he finished with the second inning figures of six for 41. Umesh Yadav bagged two wickets while Ishant Sharma and Ravindra Jadeja chipped in with a wicket each. Earlier, resuming at yesterday's score of 213-4, first drop Cheteshwar Pujara (92) and Ajinkya Rahane (52) displayed calm and composed performance as the duo stitched a 118-run partnership for the fifth wicket to keep the scoreboard ticking. However, as Australian pacers Mitchell Starc and Josh Hazlewood wrecked havoc on the Indian batters after Smith took the second new ball. In a matter of three overs, the hosts lost four wickets and were put on the backfoot. Following the dismissal of Pujara and Rahane, India failed to build any more partnerships and were eventually bundled out for 276 runs, thus setting a 188-run target for the visitors. KL Rahul, who made 90 and 51 in the game, was declared Man of the Match. With the series leveled at 1-1, the two sides will now look to take the lead when they meet for the third Test starting March 16 in Ranchi. (ANI)