India exposed Australian bowlers with fine batting: Azharuddin

Defending the Indian team for attempting to chase a stiff target of 364 set by Australia in the first Test, former Indian captain Mohammad Azharuddin said that the young Indian batting line-up had exposed the home team's bowlers.

"Indian team batted well in both the innings. Today, they did the right thing by going for the win despite the target being difficult," Azhar said Saturday at a session of Agenda Aaj Tak here.

India succumbed to off-spinner Nathan Lyon's guile, losing eight wickets for 110 runs in the final session to go down against Australia by 48 runs in the the first Test despite valiant knocks from skipper Virat Kohli (141) and opener Murali Vijay (99) on the fifth day at the Adelaide Oval.

Lyon scalped seven for 152 to bowl out India for 315, chasing a 364-run target, after the hosts declared their second innings at the overnight score of 290 for five.

"Unluckily, they lost wickets at the crucial moment after the tea session to lose the match. But in both the innings, they played well. They exposed the Australian bowlers with fine batting," the 51-year-old said.