Cricket

Todd Murphy takes five wickets, Rohit Sharma makes century

February 11, 2023 7:19 am

[Source: BBC Sports]

Spinner Todd Murphy took five wickets on his Australia debut but Rohit Sharma’s century helped India build a big lead on day two of the first Test.

Rohit hit a classy 120 as the hosts closed on 321-7 in Nagpur, leading by 144 despite off-spinner Murphy’s 5-82.

India were 229-6, just 52 ahead when Rohit was bowled by Pat Cummins after tea but Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel then put on an unbroken stand of 81.

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Jadeja, who took 5-47 on day one, ended on 66 not out and Patel was unbeaten on 52.

Murphy caught and bowled KL Rahul on day one for his maiden Test wicket and took the first three to fall on the second day, including Virat Kohli taken down the leg side for 12.

The 22-year-old dismissed fellow debutant Srikar Bharat lbw on review to clinch his five-wicket haul – his first in any form of senior professional cricket.

Steve Smith dropped three catches during the day, including Jadeja off the penultimate ball of the final session.

Australia will fear India’s lead, built in response to the visitors being dismissed for 177, could already be decisive on a turning pitch that is expected to deteriorate further throughout the match.