Mishra puts India in command of second test

By N.Ananthanarayanan

MOHALI, India (Reuters) - Leg-spinner Amit Mishra grabbed five wickets on debut to help dismiss Australia for 268 and put India in command on the third day of the second test on Sunday.

India built on their 201-run first innings lead by racing to 100 for no wicket at the close after declining to enforce the follow-on in their bid to force victory on a dry Mohali pitch.

Virender Sehwag was 53 not out and Gautam Gambhir was on 46 as India stretched the lead to 301 runs.

Mishra, 25, playing only because of skipper Anil Kumble's absence due to injury, took five for 71 to bowl out the visitors soon after tea as Australia never really recovered.

Discarded after playing in a one-day series in Dhaka five years ago, the spinner cashed in on his first India chance.

Australia, reduced to 102 for four overnight after a top order collapse, lost three more wickets to slump to 167 for seven before lunch as their batsmen wilted against pace and spin.

All-rounder Shane Watson led a splendid recovery by adding 73 runs for the eighth wicket with fast bowler Brett Lee, who scored 35.

Mike Hussey, who top-scored with 146 in the drawn first test in Bangalore, made 54, his 10th test fifty.