India post 526 on day two at Adelaide

Day two began as day one had ended with Sachin Tendulkar and MS Dhoni at the crease, with Sachin hoping to add substantially to his overnight score of 124. Dhoni did not stay with him for too long - caught by Andrew Symonds off Mitchell Johnson's bowling in just the 89th over. Joined by Anil Kumble, India were given a lovely present (it amounted to 80 runs) when Phil Jaques dropped Kumble in the 96th over. If India do go on to win this match, the irony that the butterfingers were those of Symonds will not be lost on their supporters. Tendulkar joined his team mates in the pavilion shortly afterwards but at lunch it was fair to say that India had won the first session, adding 100 runs for the price of just the two wickets.

Harbajhan Singh and Kumble motored on after the break, Harby finally going more than half-way through the session having notched up 63 of 103 balls. RP Singh was not as successful, out for a duck but Anil guided Ishant Sharma through until tea, although Michael Hussey did have a good chance of a catch.

It is not too critical, I don't think, to say that Australia's fielding has been less crisp and precise in this match than we are accustomed to, and they may well come to rue missed chances. The 45 extras will also be a reason for some soul-searching in the Aussie camp. With India's total over 500 at tea, an Australian breakthrough was desperately needed and, once again, Mitchell Johnson was the man to do it. Tempting Kumble with a good length ball, the Indian succeeded only in edging it back for a clean catch by Adam Gilchrist.

Australia's openers Phil Jaques and the recently-restored-to-health Matthew Hayden had 21 overs to negotiate before stumps and this they did safely for the reward of 62 runs. There was just one heart-in-mouth moment as replacement fielder Dinesh Karthick almost effected a Jaques run-out, but it was an "almost" and the third session ended with Australia trailing by 463.

Now while Indian fans may be jubilant at what appears to be India bossing the match for the first two days, and Harbajhan Singh may make bullish statements to the media about India being "in the driving seat ... on top", England fans know all too well how Adelaide can woo one with false hope. The scars of last year are deeply etched into our psyche and until we see just how well India can bowl and how well Australia can bat on this wicket, I would be counting no chickens. No chickens at all.

[Image: Getty] [mimitig]