Australia vs India 2018: 3rd Test Match, MCG - Report

Australia vs India 2018: 3rd Test Match, MCG – Report. India has taken a 2-1 lead in the ongoing four-match series against Australia after winning the third Test at MCG by a big margin of 137 runs. The visitors were frustrated by resilient effort from Pat Cummins and Nathan Lyon in the fag end of the penultimate day. Subsequently, it was rain that kept India away from the win on the final day.

However, the rains gods finally went off and it took India 32 balls to get the remaining two wickets to 2-1 up and retain the Border-Gavaskar trophy. Meanwhile, Jasprit Bumrah and Ravindra Jadeja scalped three wickets each whereas Ishant Sharma and Mohammed Shami chipped in with two wickets.

India goes 2-1 up in the series.

India made most of the toss triumph and went on to score a patient score of 443-7 in the first innings. In fact, the runs came at a snail’s pace, India got themselves into the commanding position. Chetheshwar Pujara continued with his fine form as he scored 106 after facing 319 balls.

Furthermore, Virat Kohli, Mayank Agarwal and Rohit Sharma scored half-centuries to take their side into a dominating position. India came with a fine bowling performance to skittle out the hosts for a paltry 151 in the first dig. Jasprit Bumrah came up with his best bowling figures as he took 6-33 to push Australia behind the eighth-ball. However, the tourists decided not to enforce the follow despite enjoying a healthy lead of 292 runs.

In fact, India’s plan to bat again didn’t go well as planned. The visitors kept losing wickets at regular intervals and eventually declared at 106-8 to give an imposing target of 399 runs.

Subsequently, it was a collective bowling effort from India in the second essay. However, the host’s batsmen got off to a solid start but could come with a substantial score. In fact, it was always going to be a daunting task for Australia to save this Test match after falling behind in the first innings.

The fourth and final Test match will take place at Sydney from January 3.

Brief Scores: Australia vs India

India: 443-7 declare, Cheteshwar Pujara: 106 (319), Pat Cummins 3-72.

Australia 1st innings: 151-10, Tim Paine 22 (85), Jasprit Bumrah: 6-33.

India 2nd innings: 106-8 declare, Mayank Agarwal 42 (102), Pat Cummins: 6-27.

Australia: 2nd innings, 261-10, Pat Cummins: 63 (114), Jasprit Bumrah 3-53.