Australia v India: Todd Murphy impresses on debut, India close in on lead

Australia debutant Todd Murphy has claimed three wickets but a Rohit Sharma-inspired India are closing in on taking a first-innings lead in the opening Test in Nagpur.

After starting day two on 1-77, the India captain raced to an unbeaten 85 as the hosts went to lunch at 3-151, just 26 runs behind Australia’s total of 177.

Murphy took Australia’s only wicket before stumps on Thursday, removing India opener KL Rahul by taking a catch off his own bowling.

The 22-year-old offspinner picked up where he left off on Friday, taking the wickets of nightwatchman Ravichandran Ashwin and prolific No.3 Cheteshwar Pujara.

The dismissal of Pujara (seven), caught by Pat Cummins at leg-slip, was vitally important and brought India star Virat Kohli (12no) to the crease.

Murphy (3-35) bowled well in tandem with Victoria teammate Scott Boland, with the pair preventing India from completely taking the match away from the tourists.

Boland, in his first Test outside of Australia, went to the first break of the day with figures of 0-7 off nine overs, including four maidens.

Murphy and Boland have played a combined eight Tests but they have outbowled their far more experienced teammates in Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon.

Camera IconTest debutant Todd Murphy (c) has taken 3-35 as India approach Australia’s first-innings total. (AP PHOTO) Credit: AP

Sharma has attacked Cummins and Lyon at every opportunity, with the star pair conceding 107 runs between them.

Australia were unable to handle the devastating spin bowling of Ravi Jadeja after Cummins won the toss and elected to bat first.

Jadeja, in his first Test since July after undergoing knee surgery, tore through Australia with 5-47, taking the key wickets of Marnus Labuschagne and Steve Smith.