India grabbed two big wickets in quick succession in the afternoon to restore balance in the opening Test against Australia on Friday. Australia were comfortably placed at 154-1 following half-centuries from skipper Ricky Ponting (71) and opener Shane Watson (75 not out) before reaching 179-3 in their first innings at tea on the first day. The tourists lost well-set Ponting and vice-captain Michael Clarke (14) in the space of 18 runs. The Australian captain was run out, while Clarke was caught at first slip off spinner Harbhajan Singh. Watson, dropped on nought and 37, has so far hit seven fours in his 169-ball knock. Ponting, averaging just 20.85 in 12 Tests in India before this match, looked set to play a big knock before he was run out by Suresh Raina's direct-hit at the striker's end from mid-wicket. Words were exchanged between Indian fielder Zaheer Khan and Ponting after the Australian skipper's dismissal. Ponting, who hit 10 fours in his 124-ball knock, put on 141 for the second wicket with Watson after Simon Katich fell for six in paceman Zaheer's third over of the morning session. The Australian captain produced some delightful strokes during his stay at the crease, driving left-arm spinner Pragyan Ojha through the covers to reach his half-century and then square-driving and flicking Zaheer for two fours. India were left a bowler short in the afternoon session when fast bowler Ishant Sharma departed the field during his eighth over with a leg injury. Zaheer, returning to the Test squad after missing the recent Test series in Sri Lanka due to injury, was unlucky not to dismiss Watson with his second delivery as Virender Sehwag dropped a catch at gully. The fast bowler did not have to wait long for success, trapping Katich leg-before in his third over. India introduced spin after just 10 overs on a slow track, but Ojha and Harbhajan could not break the Ponting-Watson stand in the morning. Watson was lucky to survive on 37 when wicket-keeper Mahendra Singh Dhoni failed to hold on to an edge off Ojha. He played some handsome shots, straight-driving Sharma and then pulling Zaheer for two fours. He then struck two successive fours off Sharma before the paceman left the field. Harbhajan, a doubtful starter on Thursday due to a leg injury, was declared fit in the morning. The second and final Test starts in Bangalore on October 9.

India grabbed two big wickets in quick succession in the afternoon to restore balance in the opening Test against Australia on Friday.

India hit back in first Australia Test

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India hit back in first Australia Test

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