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On the third day of the third Test match between India and Australia, the game swung back and forth, providing an enthralling spectacle for cricket fans worldwide. After the end of the second day’s play, India had scored 96 runs for the loss of two wickets, still trailing Australia by 242 runs. However, the third day saw the match come alive as India put up a strong performance with both bat and ball.
India’s first innings was anchored by Cheteshwar Pujara, who scored a brilliant century to lead the charge for the visitors. Pujara has often been criticized for his slow batting, but he showed why he is such a vital cog in the Indian team’s middle order with his patient yet effective knock. He batted for over 200 deliveries and scored 106 runs, which included 13 boundaries. Pujara was well-supported by Ajinkya Rahane, who scored 51 runs, and Rishabh Pant, who chipped in with a quickfire 29 off just 40 deliveries.
The Indian team ended their first innings with a score of 244 runs, giving them a lead of 94 runs over Australia. Pat Cummins was the pick of the Australian bowlers, taking four wickets for 29 runs in his 21 overs. The other Australian bowlers were also impressive, with Josh Hazlewood taking three wickets and Mitchell Starc taking two.
In reply, the Australian team started off well, with openers David Warner and Marcus Harris putting up a solid partnership of 68 runs for the first wicket. However, after Warner’s dismissal for 48 runs, the Australian innings began to unravel. The Indian bowlers, led by Ravindra Jadeja and Jasprit Bumrah, put up a disciplined performance and kept taking wickets at regular intervals.
Jadeja was the pick of the Indian bowlers, taking four wickets for just 62 runs in his 18 overs. Bumrah, too, was impressive, taking two wickets and conceding just 27 runs in his 16 overs. Mohammed Siraj and Navdeep Saini also chipped in with a wicket each as the Australian team was bowled out for just 191 runs, giving India a lead of 123 runs.
India decided against enforcing the follow-on and came out to bat again, hoping to build on their lead and set a daunting target for the Australians. However, the Indian team got off to a shaky start, with opener Shubman Gill dismissed for a duck in the very first over. Rohit Sharma, who has been in excellent form in this series, was also dismissed cheaply, leaving India at 19 runs for the loss of two wickets.
However, Pujara once again came to the rescue, playing a solid innings and scoring 77 runs before being dismissed by Nathan Lyon. Rahane and Hanuma Vihari also contributed with useful knocks of 22 and 23 runs respectively, but the Indian team lost wickets at regular intervals and were eventually bowled out for 329 runs, setting Australia a target of 407 runs to win the match.
Australia got off to a solid start once again, with Warner and Harris putting up a partnership of 35 runs for the first wicket. However, after Harris was dismissed for 38 runs, the Australian innings once again began to falter. The Indian bowlers, led by Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj, kept the pressure on the Australian batsmen and kept taking wickets at regular intervals.
Bumrah was the pick of the Indian bowlers once again, taking five wickets for just 45 runs in his 16 overs. Siraj also bowled well, taking two wickets and conceding just
