Patel and India’s lower order fire after Lyons five-for

(ESPNCRICINFO) - India's formidable lower order, led by Axar Patel, again played a crucial role after Nathan Lyon had taken five wickets to turn what looked like being a significant deficit on a tricky Delhi pitch into a one-innings shootout of a Test with Australia holding the advantage of bowling last.

The home side had slipped to 139 for 7, with Lyon doing the majority of the damage in the first two sessions, as Australia's opening-day 263 took on imposing proportions. But Axar and R Ashwin then added 114 for the eighth wicket to leave the difference just one run.

Australia had extended that briskly to 62 by the close. Travis Head, opening in place of the subbed-out David Warner, made a very punchy start although they lost Usman Khawaja to a brilliant catch at leg slip from a paddle-sweep. However, Marnus Labuschagne signalled his, and Australia's intent, by taking three fours in an over off Ravindra Jadeja.

The game would likely have already gone from India, though, if it wasn't for Axar. He produced a magnificent innings during which some of his off-side strokeplay was the highlight, particularly a flat cover-drive six against Todd Murphy, and it needed a reflex catch at mid-on from Pat Cummins to end things when he was looking to cut loose following the departure of R. Ashwin.

Ashwin had enjoyed milk - ing his promotion to No. 3 as night-watchman in Nagpur, but neither he nor Axar would look out of place higher up the order.

Ashwin took the role of senior player seriously, constantly encouraging Axar although he did not appear to be having many concerns as he backed up the 84 he made in the first Test.

Things had looked much different for the first half of the day. Rohit Sharma and KL Rahul had formed a solid opening stand, but once Australia got their first inroad the game took on another complexion.

Lyon made the opening incision when he trapped the under-pressure Rahul with one which straightened from around the wicket. He then produced a brilliant piece of bowling to defeat Rohit with a delivery that skidded on into the stumps.

Cheteshwar Pujara had been cheered to the crease in his 100th Test but was unsettled throughout a brief stay before he was trapped lbw for a duck by Lyon with a brave DRS call, instigated by Alex Carey, after Australia had burned their first two reviews very early with poor, speculative requests. They had used them all by the 25th over.

This time the replays showed that the ball had brushed Pujara's front pad first, it was smashing halfway up middle and India were 54 for 3.