Chapter 88

The battle between India and Australia had intensified, and the players were eager to make their mark on the match. Nitish Reddy, the young prodigy, had already showcased his talent with both bat and ball on the first day, and now he was ready to take on the Australian batsmen once again. Mitchell Johnson, known for his aggressive batting and lethal pace bowling, was the target of Nitish's plans. As Nitish prepared to bowl, a steely determination and focus shone in his eyes. He knew that dismissing Johnson would be a crucial breakthrough for India, and he was determined to execute his plans to perfection. With the new ball in hand, Nitish charged in and unleashed a deadly array of deliveries. He started with a series of well-directed yorkers that swung in late, leaving the Australian batsmen struggling to pick the line and length. Nitish followed up with sudden variations in pace, mixing slower balls and quick bouncers, further unsettling the batsmen. As Nitish continued to bowl with precision, the sledging from the Australian camp reached a new level. Johnson, frustrated by Nitish's mastery, attempted to get under the young bowler's skin with some taunts of his own. "Think you can trouble me, little man? Your tricks won't work on me," Johnson sneered. But Nitish remained calm and composed, channeling his focus into his bowling. He had honed his skills through years of hard work and dedication, and he was not going to let the sledging distract him from his goal. In one particular over, Nitish produced a masterstroke. He bowled three consecutive slower balls, deceiving Johnson with the change of pace. The first two deliveries forced Johnson into awkward positions as he mistimed his shots. Sensing the opportunity, Nitish followed it up with a quick bouncer that caught Johnson off guard. The ball kissed the glove on its way through to the wicketkeeper, and the umpire raised his finger in response to the vociferous appeal. The stadium erupted in cheers as Nitish had managed to break through the defenses of the dangerous Johnson. Nitish, full of adrenaline and pride, couldn't resist showing his emotions. He ran towards Johnson and pointed to himself, reminding him that it was indeed the "U19 player" who had dismissed him. The Australian batsman, though disappointed with his dismissal, acknowledged Nitish's skill with a nod and a smile. He knew that he had been outfoxed by a young and talented bowler who was rapidly making a name for himself in international cricket. But Nitish's work was not done yet. With the dismissal of Johnson, the new batsman at the crease was Brad Haddin, the wily and experienced wicketkeeper-batsman. Haddin, who had already been at the crease, had apparently taunted Nitish earlier during his batting. As Haddin faced up to Nitish, the young bowler couldn't resist a moment of banter. "Not bad for a U19 player, huh?" Nitish teased. Haddin smiled back and replied, "You've got some skills, kid, but you still have a long way to go." Undeterred, Nitish charged in with renewed vigor. He bowled with precision and accuracy, testing Haddin's defense with a combination of pace and subtle variations. The Australian wicketkeeper tried to counterattack, but Nitish was up to the challenge. In one particular over, Nitish produced a fast and deceptive delivery that jagged back into Haddin, surprising him completely. The ball struck the pad, and the Indian players went up in unison with a confident appeal. The umpire had no hesitation in raising his finger, and Nitish had claimed the prized wicket of Haddin. Nitish's exuberant celebration was met with applause from his teammates, who recognized the young bowler's crucial contributions to the team. The sledging and taunts from the Australian players had only fueled Nitish's determination to succeed, and he had delivered in style. As the second day of the Test match progressed, India's bowlers, led by the impressive performances of Ravichandran Ashwin and Nitish Reddy, continued to apply pressure on the Australian batting lineup. After dismissing Johnson and Haddin, Nitish was on a roll, looking to inflict further damage on the opposition. With the Australian innings at 120/6, the tailenders, Peter Siddle and Mitchell Starc, were left with the daunting task of shepherding their team to a respectable total. Nitish, fueled by his earlier confrontations and backed by the relentless support from his teammates, charged in with zeal and determination. The young bowler displayed an excellent mix of pace, swing, and accuracy as he relentlessly attacked the stumps. Siddle and Starc tried to counter Nitish's fiery spells, but the bowler's clever variations and consistent line made it difficult for them to settle in. In one particular over, Nitish unleashed a series of toe-crushing yorkers, leaving the tailenders in awe of his skill. With each delivery, Nitish sent a clear message that he was not to be taken lightly, even by the experienced batsmen. The Australian dressing room watched with admiration as the young Indian bowler continued to impress with his fiery spell. However, Siddle and Starc, known for their fighting spirit, dug deep and showed remarkable resilience. They combined caution and aggression to chip away at the Indian bowlers, including Nitish. The Australian tailenders managed to frustrate the Indian fielders with their stubborn resistance, inching the team's total upward. At the other end, Ashwin, with his impeccable line and length, posed a constant threat to the batsmen. He used his variations to perfection, deceiving the lower order with subtle changes in pace and flight. Ashwin's guile had already accounted for the dismissals of Rogers, Smith, Lyon, and Watson. As the day drew to a close, Nitish and Ashwin's relentless efforts bore fruit. Ashwin struck again, trapping Mitchell Starc LBW with a beautifully flighted delivery that spun back sharply. The Australian innings finally came to an end, as they were bundled out for 210 runs. India had managed to restrict Australia to a modest total, thanks to the stellar bowling performances of Nitish and Ashwin. Nitish's fiery spell had yielded four crucial wickets, while Ashwin's spin wizardry had left the Australian batsmen bamboozled. With a lead of 20 runs, India's batsmen walked out to the crease with the task of consolidating their advantage. Shikhar Dhawan, the explosive opener, looked in sublime touch as he raced to a quick half-century. His aggressive stroke play and dazzling drives left the Australian bowlers searching for answers.

KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan, walked out to the middle. They had a point to prove after a disappointing first day for the Indian team, and they did so with aplomb.

Rahul and Dhawan started cautiously, respecting the early movement off the pitch from the Australian bowlers. However, once they settled in, the openers unleashed an array of attacking shots. Boundaries flowed effortlessly from their bats as they built a solid partnership. The Australian bowlers were left searching for answers as the duo kept piling on the runs.

Nitish Reddy, who had starred with both bat and ball on the first day, watched the opening partnership from the dressing room. He felt a sense of pride and determination, knowing that his teammates were setting the tone for a potential comeback in the match.

The partnership between Rahul and Dhawan blossomed into a century, a rare sight for India's openers in the series. The duo brought up their half-centuries quickly, showcasing their aggressive intent and willingness to take the attack to the opposition.

Rahul, in particular, played with flair and elegance, showcasing a wide array of strokes. Dhawan, on the other hand, was in his element, bringing out his trademark drives and cuts to perfection. The Australian fielders looked a bit lost as the boundaries kept coming at a steady pace.

With the score at 123/0, the partnership was broken. Nathan Lyon managed to induce an edge from KL Rahul, and the Indian opener departed for a well-made 65. However, Rahul's innings had set the foundation for India's resurgence.

Cheteshwar Pujara, known for his dogged determination, joined Dhawan at the crease. Together, they continued to consolidate India's position. Dhawan was playing one of his finest innings, and the crowd roared with each boundary he struck.

Nitish Reddy, eager to contribute with the bat this time, continued to watch attentively from the dressing room. He knew that he might get an opportunity to bat if a wicket fell, and he was prepared to play his part in the team's fightback.

Mitchell Johnson, the tormentor of the Indian batsmen on the first day, produced an unplayable delivery that moved away from Dhawan and found the outside edge. The Indian opener walked back to the pavilion after a spectacular knock of 87 runs.

Ishant Sharma, the night watchman, walked in next. His defensive mindset provided a stark contrast to Dhawan's attacking approach. With Pujara, Ishant aimed to consolidate further and ensure India's position remained strong at the end of the day's play.

Pujara, the epitome of concentration and patience, played with poise and determination. He rotated the strike well and punished the loose deliveries. Ishant, despite being a bowler, showed impressive resilience and focus in holding one end firmly.

The Australian bowlers, including Johnson, tried everything in their arsenal to break the partnership. But Pujara and Ishant remained unfazed. Nitish, watching from the dressing room, admired their resolve and determination. He knew that the longer they stayed at the crease, the more it would dent the Australian morale.

As the day came to a close, India's innings stood at 187/2.