Nagpur/IBNS: Riding on skipper Rohit Sharma's deft handling of the spin bowling along with allrounder Ravichandran Ashwin's brief knock, India are inching towards Australia's 177 in the first innings of the maiden Test in the Border Gavaskar Trophy here on Friday.

At lunch on day 2, India ended up scoring 151 losing three wickets.

Rohit (85) and Virat Kohli (12) are still at the crease.

Ashwin, who was sent to bat as a nightwatchman last evening, scored 23 off 62 balls until he was sent back to the change room by Todd Murphy on Friday morning.

Kohli walked in the middle after Cheteshwar Pujara was dismissed for just seven.

A fiery spin bowling led by Ravindra Jadeja (5/47) bundled out Australia for just 177 on Thursday.