India off to slow start in 2nd Test

Bengaluru: Mitchell Starc and Nathan Lyon struck early blows for Australia as India went into lunch at at 72/2 on the opening day of their second Test at the Chinnaswamy Stadium here on Saturday.

Starc displayed impressive pace and movement through the air for figures of 1/18 while Lyon got rid of the dangerous Cheteshwar Pujara to return 1/13.

Lokesh Rahul (48 batting) was inching towards his half-century with Indian captain Virat Kohli at the other end when the teams went in for lunch.

Electing to bat first on winning the toss, the hosts sufferred their first blow in the third over when an inswinging full toss by Starc hit opener Abhinav Mukund on the pads.

Mukund shuffled across the stumps in an attempt to hit the ball to the onside. But he mistimed his shot and was caught plumb in front of the stumps before opening his account.

That saw Pujara stride to the middle and the right-hander from Gujarat proceeded to display his trademark solid defensive style.

He scored 17 runs off 66 balls and produced a 61-run partnership with Rahul before misreading the turn and bounce of a Lyon delivery to be dismissed off the last ball before lunch.

Brief scores:

India (First Innings): 72/2 (Lokesh Rahul 48 batting) vs Australia.