IND vs AUS: Fifties from Jadeja, Axar Patel give India lead by 144 runs on Day 2

• Rohit Sharma hit his 9th Test hundred as India took control of the Nagpur Test
• Ravindra Jadeja was unbeaten on 66 at Stumps, Axar Patel on 52
• India finished Day 2 with a lead of 144 runs against Australia

Rohit Sharma's ninth hundred and gutsy fifties from Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel kept India ahead in a thrilling battle for supremacy in the first Test of the four-match series against Australia. India ended Day 2 with a 144-run lead over Australia at the VCA Stadium in Nagpur on Friday. Jadeja remained unbeaten on 66 and Axar unbeaten on 52 as India reached Stumps to 321 for 7.

After India captain Rohit Sharma fell for 120 to his Australian counterpart Pat Cummins, Ravindra Jadeja and Axar Patel stretched India's lead past 100. The Australian bowlers began to tire in the face of a familiar lower-order fightback from India. There was much talk in the Australian media about India's ploy to make life difficult for Australia's left-handed batsmen at Nagpur, but in the end two left-handed Indian batsmen showed great skill to deny Australia a sniff after their debutant Todd Murphy picked. 5 goals and Nathan Lyon shone.

There was more disappointment for Australia at the end of the game when Steve Smith threw away a simple chance to offer Jadeja a lifeline in the penultimate game on Friday. Jadeja and Axar will continue to look to extend India's total on Day 3 and pile the pressure on Australia after adding 81 runs in 30.5 overs together.

Ravindra Jadeja played for the second consecutive day in the opening Test. Jadeja, who returned to the Indian side after a long injury lay-off, picked up his 11th five-wicket haul in Tests on Thursday before returning to hit a half-century on Friday to pull India out of a bit of trouble. Jadeja was involved in a 61-run partnership with Rohit Sharma for the 6th wicket and then saw from the other end as KS Bharat became Todd Murphy's 5th victim of the innings.

Axar Patel made his debut against England almost two years ago as Ravindra Jadeja nursed another injury. Despite an amazing first Test series, several questions were raised as to whether Axar and Jadeja would actually play a Test together. Now and on Friday, the two even shared a crucial position as India increased their lead with every run that was worth its weight in gold on a pitch where batting would become increasingly difficult.