Gaji
Australia's new-look pace attack again rattled India's top order, with James Pattinson taking three wickets as the visitors struggled to 72-4 at lunch on the opening day of the second cricket test.
The 21-year-old Pattinson exposed the tourist’s much-vaunted batting lineup in two spells Tuesday morning, striking in the first over to remove Gautam Gambhir for 0 and then returning to dismiss Virender Sehwag (30) and V.V.S. Laxman (2).
Only Sachin Tendulkar, who is attempting to be the first player to score 100 international centuries, looked comfortable against the Australian attack and was unbeaten on 21 at the interval. Virat Kohli was 12 not out.
Peter Siddle took the other wicket in the first session, having Rahul Dravid (5) caught at short leg by Ed Cowan. He was unlucky to not also claim Sehwag, but the opener's edge was dropped by Ricky Ponting at second slip when on 23.
Tendulkar received a standing ovation from the crowd as he walked to the wicket in what is likely to be his final test appearance at the Sydney Cricket Ground.
The numbers are lining up for India's master batsman, who has been one shy of his 100th international century since March. He averages an astonishing 221 at the SCG, which is hosting its 100th test match.
Tendulkar scored a double century here in 2004 and a hundred in the acrimonious 2008 SCG test in 2008. Both times, he had good support from Laxman. But he can't rely on his veteran teammate in this innings after the Indian top order crumbled in a greenish pitch.
Pattinson had Gambhir caught by Australia skipper Michael Clarke at first slip on just the third ball.
During his second spell he found an edge off Sehwag which carried through to wicketkeeper Brad Haddin, before producing an outswinger which Laxman guided to Shaun Marsh at third slip.
India's collapse comes after skipper Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat first on an SCG pitch which has given Australia's seam bowlers plenty of assistance on day one.
Both teams went into the match with unchanged lineups from the first test, which Australia won by 122 runs in Melbourne last week.
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