Visitors India are off to a dominating start in the longest format, as they have torn apart hosts Australia on Day 2 of the three-day warm-up clash, at the Sydney Cricket Ground (SCG), on Saturday. India possess a lead of 472 runs, thanks to twin centuries from Hanuma Vihari (104*) and Rishabh Pant (103*).
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India began their second innings on Day 2, after bowling out Australia for 108 and possessing a lead of 86 runs in the first innings on Day 1. However, they were off to a shaky start, losing opener Prithvi Shaw for mere three to Mark Steketee, at the score of four.
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Nonetheless, it was followed by a 104-run stand between fellow opener Mayank Agarwal and Shubman Gill, before the latter departed for 65 to Mitchell Swepson. It was followed by a 53-run stand for the third wicket, between Mayank and Vihari. However, the former fell for 61 to Jack Wildermuth, at the score of 161.
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In came skipper Ajinkya Rahane, who played a below-par knock of 38, before being dismissed by Steketee, as he contributed to a 78-run stand along with Vihari. However, it was the pair of Vihari and Pant that just nailed it, as the duo maintained an unbeaten 147-run stand. Furthermore, both scored their 21st and seventh First-Class century, as India finished Day 2 on 3864, while they possess a whopping lead of 472 runs.
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As for the Australians, the bowlers did struggle, while Steketee was the best performer, claiming 254. Meanwhile, India look set to declare on Day 3, as they are in the driver's seat to win this tie.Brief scores: India 194 & 3864 (Vihari 104*, Pant 103*; Steketee 254) lead Australia 108 by 472 runs.
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