Wounded India look to bounce back in Bengaluru Test

Bengaluru [India], Mar.4 (ANI): Having suffered a humiliating defeat at the hands of Australia in Pune, the Virat Kohli-led side will aim to bounce back when they take on the visitors in the crucial second Test of the four-match series at the M. Chinnaswamy Stadium here today. The Steve Smith-led side, who headed into the series as underdogs, defeated the hosts by 333 runs in just three days by playing their own game of spin on a viciously turning track. In the process, the Australian side also snapped India's 19-Test unbeaten run stretching back to their tour to Sri Lanka in 2015.This was also Kohli's first defeat as captain in Test cricket at home. The first Test was wrapped inside three days after Steve O'Keefe finished with the match figures of 12 wickets for 70 on a pitch which was rated as `poor by match referee Chris Broad. Earlier, Australia had announced an unchanged squad for the second Test against India with skipper Steve Smith maintained the need on posting a massive first innings total to take the reins in the four match series. For India, all-rounder Hardik Pandya will have to wait for his Test debut, after being ruled out of the Bengaluru Test due to a shoulder niggle. Meanwhile, Ishant Sharma, who hardly troubled the Australian batsmen and went wicket-less in the 14 overs he bowled in the Pune, could make way for Bhuvneshwar Kumar. Karun Nair, who struck an impressive triple ton against England, could be brought into the side to strengthen the middle-order at the expense of Jayant Yadav. While it will be a must-win match for India to keep the series alive, a victory for Australia at M. Chinnaswamy Stadium would ensure they retain the Border-Gavaskar Trophy with two matches to spare.(ANI)