Bengaluru: Australian batsmen showed commendable application to gain the upper hand against India with a vital 48 run first innings lead after reaching 237-6 on an engaging second day of the second Test match here on Sunday.

Young opener Matt Renshaw scored 60 runs and experienced Shaun Marsh scored 66 runs while battling hard against the Indian spinners. Their fighting half-centuries consolidated Australia's position in the match but Virat Kohli's captaincy left a lot to be desired. 

On a pitch aiding spinners, left-arm spinner Ravindra Jadeja (3/49), the home team's top wicket taker, got to bowl only 17 overs compared to Ravichandran Ashwin (1/75 in 41 overs). While Ashwin bowled a tight line and beat the bat on occasions, it was Jadeja, who looked like the most lethal among Indian bowlers. To their credit, the Australians gave a better account of themselves on a two-paced pitch.