Ashwin’s spin drubs Oz by 75 runs, India levels the series

Bengaluru: Defending a lowly 187 run target, India defeated Australia by 75 runs to win the second test match being played here and level the series 1-1 on the fourth day today.The M Chinnaswamy stadium filled with a large number of school students, who were let in free by KSCA, erupted in joy when Ashwin scalped the last Australian batsman Nathan Lyon (2) as India completed an impressive victory after staring at defeat at the end of the second day.

Australia has given a tricky target on a wearing wicket lost six wickets in the post lunch session and once speedsters Umesh Yadav (2/26), that included key wicket of Steve Smith (28) and Ishant Sharma (1/28) made early breakthroughs, Ashwin ran through the Australian batting order and by the tea break with visitors down 101 for 6, the fate of the match was decided.

Ravindra Jadeja who took six wickets in the first innings, took the other wicket.
Post tea the visitors lost the remaining four wickets for the addition of just 11 runs.
Earlier, resuming at 213 for 4 in the second innings, India made 274 with Cheteshwara Pujara who scored a match saving 92, top scored and Ajinkya Rahane hit 52.

The duo added 128 runs for the fifth wicket that lifted India from the brink.
Australia had made 274 in the first innings in reply to India paltry first innings total of 189.Opener K L Rahul who scored 90 and 51 in the two innings, was the adjudged man-of-the-match.

This is the fifth time India is winning after defending a low total of 188 or less and three of them were against Australia.(UNI)