MELBOURNE: India skipper Ajinkya Rahane made some smart decisions on the field on the first day of India's second Test against Australia and followed that up with a "fantastic knock" on Day 2, former India captain Sachin Tendulkar said on Sunday.
In a series of tweets, Tendulkar, 47, praised Rahane's captaincy and the efforts of the bowlers and debutant Shubman Gill.
He also said that Rahane's unbeaten 104-run stand for the fifth wicket with Ravindra Jadeja, who will start Day 3 on 40, may have taken the game away from Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground.
"Two good days for India in the 2nd Test. @Jaspritbumrah93, @ashwinravi99 & Mohammed Siraj bowled really well and continued to keep the pressure on to restrict Australia to a low total. Well done by the stand-in captain Ajinkya, who made some real smart bowling changes coupled...with good field placements," Tendulkar tweeted.
"@RealShubmanGill got off to a good start on debut with some good shots and looked comfortable at the crease. @ajinkyarahane88 and @imjadeja have stitched a very crucial partnership which may just take the game away from Australia.
"Last but not least, fantastic knock by @ajinkyarahane88 who not only looked solid in his defence but was also looking to play attacking shots. He kept the momentum going really well," said Tendulkar. IANS
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