Day 3 of the third Test between India and Australia went on two very different planes for the two teams in Sydney. While Australia with a lead of 197 runs have strengthened their position in the match, India are grappling with injuries with Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja sent for scans after coping up with injuries. More about the Day 3 report in detail below.
India did not have the best of starts after resuming their innings on 96 for 2. Cheteshwar Pujara (50) and Ajinkya Rahane (22) took their time to get the runs and in the process did not move the scoreboard forward quickly. They added just 32 runs in over 20 overs while batting together. Rahane was the wicket to fall for India on the day as he played on a delivery from Pat Cummins aimed at his body.
However, it was the wickets of Cheteshwar Pujara (50) and Rishabh Pant (36) which exposed the lower order and invited a batting collapse. From 180 for four after Pant’s dismissal, India were bowled out for 244 as they lost their last five wickets for just 21 runs. They lost their last six for 49 runs with Ravindra Jadeja chipping in with 28 runs.
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Keeping his good form on Pat Cummins took four wickets with the ball in the first innings. Mitchell Starc took a wicket and Josh Hazlewood took two. The Indian inning also saw as many as three run-outs which was another highlight of their batting innings.
Apart from their dismal batting performance, they had a few injury concerns with Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja getting injured while batting Both were sent for scans as confirmed by the BCCI. While Pant was hit on his left elbow, Jadeja copped up a blow on his left thumb and did not take the field any further. Wriddhiman Saha is keeping wickets for India in the second innings in Pant’s absence. The injuries have dented India’s chances in this Test match and the final game in Brisbane.
India Grapple With Injuries on Day 3
UPDATE – Ravindra Jadeja suffered a blow to his left thumb while batting. He has been taken for scans.#AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/DOG8SBXPue
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 9, 2021
Rishabh Pant was hit on the left elbow while batting in the second session on Saturday. He has been taken for scans. #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/NrUPgjAp2c
— BCCI (@BCCI) January 9, 2021
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Meanwhile, Australia lost early wickets in their second innings. Mohammed Siraj accounted for Will Pucovski’s wicket. He bowled the wicket-ball just outside the off-stump which just held its line after setting him up with in-swingers.
Meanwhile, Ravichandran Ashwin after failing with the bat dismissed David Warner for the tenth time in Test cricket. Warner now has failed in both the innings on his return. Steve Smith (29) and Marnus Labuschagne (47)started batting at 35 for 2 have added 68* together as Australia finished on 103/3 at stumps on Day 3.
Brief scores
Australia 338 & 103/2 (Marnus Labuschagne 47*, Steve Smith 29*; Mohammed Siraj 1-20, R Ashwin 1-28) lead India 244 (Shubman Gill 58, Cheteshwar Pujara 50, Rishabh Pant 36; Pat Cummins 4-29) by 197 runs.
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