Australia remain in the hunt for an elusive Test series win in India thanks to Nathan Lyon, who spun a web around India late on day two of the Dharamsala decider. The top-ranked Test side were 248-6 at stumps on Sunday, trailing the visitors by 52 runs. Lyon grabbed a haul of 4-21 during the final session, delivering the latest twist in what has been an absorbing four-Test series.

The series, locked at 1-1, remains in the balance. Australia would be in a far better position if not for two dropped catches from Matt Renshaw, the latter a dolly that popped out of his hands in the fourth last over of the day. Wriddhiman Saha, reprieved by Renshaw on nine, was unbeaten on 10 at stumps alongside Ravindra Jadeja (16 not out).

India resumed at 0-0 with every intention of grinding the visitors into submission with a mammoth first-innings total, as was their plan in Ranchi. The ploy looked to be working well when Cheteshwar Pujara, who spent over 11 hours at the crease during a game-changing knock of 202 in the third Test, brought up his half-century in 132 balls.

Pujara guided India to 157-2 before becoming the first of Lyon’s four victims, falling in the opening over after tea when he offered Peter Handscomb a simple catch at short leg. Lyon, the most experienced member of the eleven, had nevertheless been on the cusp of being axed during the recent home summer. As his spell progressed he removed Karun Nair, stand-in skipper Ajinkya Rahane and Ravichandran Ashwin.

Pacemen Pat Cummins and Josh Hazlewood huffed, puffed and bowled exceptionally well but only claimed a wicket each. Cummins and Hazlewood each had two overs with the second new ball. The former found the edge of Saha’s bat, however Renshaw failed to complete the dismissal.







