Australia vs India 2018: 1st Test Match, Day 3 - Report

India dominated the third day’s play as they strengthened their grip in the ongoing third Test match against Australia as they lead by 166 runs. The visitors ticked the first box when they skittled out the hosts for 235, thus gaining a lead of 15 runs. Jasprit Bumrah drew the first blood of the cloudy morning as he sent back Mitchell Starc.

Subsequently, Mohammed Shami got himself in the wickets columns as he sent back Australia’s best batsman of the first innings Travis Head for 72 runs. Shami produced another outside edge of Josh Hazlewood, to sum up, the Australian innings.

India is in the driver’s seat.

Meanwhile, India ticked the second box of the day when they got off to a cautious start as Murali Vijay and KL Rahul batted with determination. Both the Indian openers added a crucial partnership of 63 runs to leave Australian bowlers frustrated. Subsequently, Rahul scored his runs in a hurry as he looked to get himself into form.

However, KL Rahul was always playing with fire as he went for the big shots. On the other hand, Murali Vijay was once again dismissed while going for the cover drive off the bowling of Mitchell Starc.

Rahul also perished in an attempt to keep batting in the topmost gear. However, India had added 76 runs on the board when Rahul was dismissed. This brought the Indian captain Virat Kohli and tourist’s first innings hero Cheteshwar Pujara to the crease.

It was a good alliance between Kohli and Rahane.

Both the talisman batsman batted with guile to put India in a driver’s seat. Nathan Lyon kept asking some good questions from both the batters. However, both of them had adequate answers in their repertoire to keep Australia’s off-spinner at bay. Pujara made use of DRS on two occasions after he was adjudged out by the umpire.

Furthermore, the right-hander once again adopted the strategy to shimmy down the wicket to take out the short leg and LBW threat out of the equation.

On the other hand, Virat Kohli looked at his best as he took his initial time. Kohli was ready to fight it out as he played some delightful drives through the off-side.

Meanwhile, Nathan Lyon was finally rewarded for his persistent bowling as he got the big fish, Virat Kohli. The Indian skipper inside edge was lofted to short leg, Aaron Finch when only four overs were left for the day’s play.

Brief Scores:

India 2nd innings: 151-3 lead by  166 runs, Cheteshwar Pujara 40*.

Australia 1st innings: 235, Travis Head: 72, Jasprit Bumrah 3-47.

India 1st innings: 250, Cheteshwar Pujara, Josh Hazlewood: 3-52.