India vs Australia, first Test at Pune Highlights: Steve O'Keefe destroys batting lineup, Aussies hand hosts 333 run defeat

India vs Australia: India lose first Test by 333 runs, Australia win a Test in India after a big gap of 8 years (4502 days).

With this note, we will be bidding you a goodbye. That’s it from first Test action at Pune, we will be back with the second Test on March 5 from Bengaluru. Till then stay tuned for InUth for more India vs Australia news.

Man of the match: Steve O’Keefe has been named Man of the Match for taking 12 wickets in the first Test. This could be the launchpad for the Australian spinner as he could not do well on his previous subcontinent tour of Sri Lanka.

After all, it’s the Aussies who could stop India’s unbeaten run of 19 Tests. A humiliating defeat for India as they lost the match by a big margin of 333 runs. It’s the visitors who had cracked the code on Pune pitch both in batting and fielding. We all expected a fight from India in the fourth innings seeing the way Australian batsmen batted in second innings. But, they could manage to score only 2 more runs from their first inning score.

14:49 IST Lyon continues, Jayant steps out and hits that one straight for a boundary, he is trying to hit a few before all this goes down. He blocks the next one. He guides the ball towards long on, does not consider taking a single. This time he hits it towards covers, refuses to run a single again. OUT! It’s all over. Lyon saw Jayant coming down the track, dropped the ball short, slowing the pace of the ball, Wade takes the catch as it brushes the glove of the batsman. Australians are delighted, they have done what none expected them to do, beat Indian on a turning track.

14:48 IST WICKET! Jayant Yadav c Mathew Wade b Nathan Lyon 5(17)

14:45 IST O’Keefe continues, Jayant Yadav on strike. Yorker length delivery, no runs there for Jayant as he manages to get his bat down in time. He hits that one to mid-off, no run. That one was slow through the air, Jayant defends, no run. Jayant drives through covers, no run as Starc puts in a dive. Yadav works the ball towards fine leg, Umesh pushes for a single, slight hiccup, fielder was slow on the throw, Umesh survives. Umesh plays the next ball towards short third man, no run.

14:42 IST Jadeja tries to cut that one but did not get bat and ball. Lyon bowls, Jadeja hits it towards point, no run. Jadeja cuts again, this time he drags the ball into his wickets as the ball takes an inside edge. OUT! Lyon gets another wicket. This will all be over soon I reckon. Ishant Sharma comes into bat, Inside edge, lands safely, Ishant survives. OUT! Another wicket as the ball takes an edge and this time Warner does not repeat his mistake, another wicket for him. They need just one wicket to wrap this up.

14:42 IST WICKET! Ishant Sharma c David Warner b Nathan Lyon 0(2)

14:40 IST WICKET! Ravindra Jadeja b Nathan Lyon 3(11)

14:38 IST A maiden over from Steve O’Keefe as Jayant Yadav finds it hard to get the ball in the middle of the bat, it is just a matter of time before another wicket falls as ball is turning left, right and centre.

14:35 IST Nathan Lyon continues, Jadeja onstrike, defends the first ball. He goes back into the crease and flashes his blade hard. Gets two runs at fielder cuts it off. No runs scored from the rest of the over, just 2 runs from it.

14:32 IST Steve O’Keefe continues his rampage over Indian batting line up, after a dot delivery he traps Pujara in front of stumps who as been holding onto on end for India, his 12th wicket of the Test. India heading towards a big loss. Jayant Yadav comes into bat. He blocks the first ball, no run.

14:31 IST WICKET! Cheteshwar Pujara lbw Steve O’Keefe 31(58)

14:30 IST We are back after Tea Break.

Team India are heading towards a loss in Pune Test, not exactly everyone speculated before the start of the series but it is the reality as players head out for Tea Break. With 6 wickets already down, India might not be able to keep Australia out before the end of Day 3’s play. O’Keefe is on fire and has already bagged 5 wickets in this inning. He is expected to get more with the kind of form he is in. From India’s perspective, it’s a wake-up call for them. Australia are heading towards putting an end to India’s unbeaten streak of 19 Tests.

Tea Break! 

14:09 IST O’Keefe continues, Saha defends the first ball directed towards the stumps. That one skidded as soon as it landed on the surface, Saha does well to defend that one, no run. OUT! O’Keefe shouts and Umpire raises his finger, another five-wicket haul for O’Keefe. India heading towards a definite loss in Pune Test.

14:09 IST WICKET! Wriddhiman Saha lbw Steve O’Keefe 5(13)

14:07 IST Lyon continues, Pujara on strike, he defends the first ball coming forward. Edged and dropped! Warner drops a sitter at short leg, Lyon is not happy. Pujara takes a single off the next ball. Saha defends the next going deep into his crease. He guides the ball towards mid off, takes a single. Saha sweeps the last ball for a single, four runs from the over.

14:04 IST O’Keefe continues, Saha on strike FOUR! He hits the ball hard, drives through the covers. Saha defends the next four delivery coming down the wicket or lunging forward. Turn an bounce on the last ball, Saha manages to get bat on that one, no run.

14:01 IST Lyon continues, Pujara intends to defend throughout the over. He takes a couple on the last delivery, Pujara is running out of partners. India headed towards a big defeat.

13:57 IST O’Keefe continues, Ashwin plays a defensive shot. Next ball, he dabs the ball to mid-wicket, no run, Lbw shout from O’Keefe, Umpire shakes his head, Smith does not go for a review. Another lbw shout, looks serious enough. Umpire says no but Smith has decided to review this one. This will go upstairs, O’Keefe looks certain, the ball has clearly hit Ashwin’s pads first. OUT! R Ashwin departs, O’Keefe gets another wicket, his 10th in this Test, he raises the ball and acknowledges the crowd. Wridhhiman Saha comes into bat, he defends the first ball, India are in deep trouble. I repeat again! This Test might not see Day 4.

13:57 IST WICKET! Ravichandran Ashwin lbw Steve O’Keefe 8(11)

13:53 IST Lyon continues, Pujara gets off strike on the first ball. Ashwin on strike, he defends the first ball. Comes forward and plays another defensive shot. Another dot delivery, Lyon was shouting catch as the ball was in the air for a moment. FOUR! Reverse-sweep from Ashwin, first boundary for him. He drives this time, in the air, lands safely, just outside Renshaw’s reach. Good running between the wickets, 3 runs taken.

13:49 IST Pujara takes a single on the first ball. Rahane on strike, tries to work it towards mid-on, finds the fielder, no run. OUT! Another one bites the dust. He was looking so good on the crease. Drives the ball as it hits high on the bat and a comfortable catch on covers. India loses their fourth wicket. Ravichandran Ashwin comes out to bat ahead of Wriddhiman Saha. He defends the first ball, hits through the covers and concedes a single. Pujara on strike, he hits the ball through mid-wicket, good running between the wickets, 3 runs taken.

13:47 IST WICKET! Ajinkya Rahane c Nathan Lyon b Steve O’Keefe 18(21)

13:44 IST Lyon comes round the wicket to Pujara, pitches it short, Pujara pulls the ball and scores a boundary. He works the ball for a single the next ball, Rahane on strike. Inside edge onto the pads, Rahane tries to hit the ball but does not succeeds. He defends the next ball. Rahane sweeps and sweeps it hard, another boundary in the over, 9 runs from it.

13:41 IST Pujara gets his bat down just in time, cuts it towards point, no run. Rahane too goes on back foot trying to cut the ball towards covers, edges the ball as it races towards boundary. That one was darted on the middle stump, Rahane goes deep into the crease and defends it. This time he comes forward, defends it with a straight bat. Rahane goes back into the crease again but thsi time hits it in the middle of the bat for a boundary towards covers. A defensive block to end the over, 9 runs from it.

12:38 IST Pujara did not anticipate the spin on that one, Lyon appeals but Umpire shakes his head. Pujara flicks the ball for a single. Rahane on strike, he sweeps, takes a single. Turn and bounce! Pujara survives. This time he goes deep into the crease trying to work it behind square, takes a single, Umpire signals leg byes. Rahane tries to flick it towards on side, no run.

12:35 IST O’Keefe continues, he comes forward and defends the first ball. Pujara opens the face of his bat on the next one but could not take a single. Pujara tries to work it towards mid-on, does not time it well, no run. That one took an inside edge and goes past the fielder, takes a single. That one spun a lot, Rahane could not pick it up, no run. Beaten once again, no run.

12:32 IST Hazlewood continues, angles the ball into the stumps, Pujara defends that one. That one swung late, takes a single. Rahane on strike, he flicks the ball, runs hard and takes a couple of runs. Edged as he tries to work the ball past Wade, on the bounce to him, Rahane survives. This time he gets behind the ball with a straight bat, no run, solid defence. Another dot ball to end the over.

13:27 IST O’Keefe continues, Kohli drives, this one goes towards covers. He picks up a couple of runs. OUT! Straight through the gate, Kohli shoulders arms as O’Keefe’s straighter one destroys the stumps. India in deep trouble. Kohli is shocked, he does not want to leave the field, not a good sign for India but he has to go. Ajinkya Rahane comes out to bat, he defends the first ball. Rahane takes a single, Pujara on strike, he takes a single towards point.

13:24 IST Virat Kohli b Steve O’Keefe 13(37)

13:22 IST Josh Hazlewood into the attack, back of the length delivery, Pujara goes on back foot and defends. He bowls outside the line of off stump, Pujara watches the ball closely as it travels towards Wade. Pujara is happy to let this one go into Wade’s hands again. This one was angled towards Pujara, making him play, he opens the face of the bat and defends that one, defending his castle, no run. Extra bounce! hits Pujara on gloves, bounces from good length, Pujara struggles. A perfect reply from Pujara, hits taht one for a boundary towards wide third man.

Drinks Break! 

13:16 IST O’Keefe continues, Pujara takes a single, working it towards square. Kohli on strike, edges that one, lands safe. Kohli uses his wrists again, drives the ball through fielders for a boundary. Kohli drives again, this time no runs scored. Kohli goes deep into the crease trying to cut it past point, no run. He defends the last ball, no run.

13:13 IST Lyon continues, Pujara flicks it away for a single. Kohli on strike, comes forward and drives, rotates strike. Pujara dances down the wicket and takes a single as ball goes towards deep cover. Pujara steps down the wicket again, checks his shot, defends, no run. Pujara pushes it towards mid-wicket this time, takes a single. Kohli loses focus, ball travels past the leg stump, no run.

13:10 IST Steve O’Keefe appeals, Umpire shakes his head. Kohli comes forward, defends that one. Next ball, same result. Lunges forward this time around, no run. A little wide of the off stump, no run. Kohli works it behind square, no run. O’Keefe delivers a maiden.

13:07 IST Lyon continues, Pujara defends, no run. This time he goes down the wicket and takes a single towards long on. Kohli on strike, tries to work it towards square, no run as fielder dives to his right to save that one. Next one, Kohli pushes towards mid-wicket, denied a run again. Kohli, this time succeeds, takes a single behind square. Pujara goes back into the crease and defends that one, no run.

13:05 IST O’Keefe continues, Kohli goes deep into teh crease and defends. Kohli uses his wrists this time, flicks it away for a couple of runs. Comes forward and defends the next, same fate on the next delivery. Solid defence from Kohli, no run. Another defensive block from Kohli, two runs from the over.

13:02 IST Turn and bounce for Lyon, no run off Pujara’s bat. He defends the next ball with a straight bat, no run. Steps out to work the ball towards on side, no run. This one spun sharply, manages to get bat on that, no run. Pujara tries to tuck it behind square, no run. Misses everything, top-spinner, goes behind Wade and runs towards the boundary.

12:59 IST Pujara nudges the ball for a single. Kohli on strike, defends the first delivery. The next one was on the fuller side, no run as Kohli defends, Kohli works it away, runs hard and takes a couple of runs. This time he misses the ball, no run.

12:57 IST Lyon continues, defends the first delivery. This time he goes deep into the crease, no run. Kohli tucks it towards fine leg for a single. Pujara takes a single off the next. Kohli on strike, he defends the first one. Catch is the shout for next one, lands safely, no run.

12:54 IST Steve O’Keefe continues, appeal once again, Umpire denies. Kohli tucks it behind the square, takes a single. Pujara on strike, lunges forward, defends it with straight bat. Another dot, defensive shot from Pujara, He uses his pads to keep out the ball, no run. This one was pitched on stumps, Pujara defends again, no run.

12:52 IST Lyon continues, Rahul drives, picks up a couple of runs. FOUR! He drives again, this time a bit harder, the ball races towards the boundary, Rahul looks in good touch. WICKET! Lyon bowls a top spinner, Rahul does not think he is out, might have hit him outside off stump is his guess. He is a goner, this match might not see the light of Day 4. Virat Kohli comes out to bat, flicks the ball for a single, gets off the mark. Another one spins back to the pads, this time with bounce, no run. Pujara hits it towards short mid-wicket, no run.

12:50 IST WICKET KL Rahul lbw Nathan Lyon 10(9)

12:46 IST Steve O’Keede into the attack, Rahul takes a single off the first ball. Second one, takes an edge but lands beyond any fielder, no run. Vijay defends the next two balls. OUT! Traps him in front of the wicket, Vijay reviews it straightaway, he thinks he is not out. The decision stands, Vijay has to go, O’Keefe takes his first wicket. India in danger. Pujara comes into bat, defends the first ball, wicket maiden for O’Keefe.

12:44 IST OUT! Murali Vijay lbw Steve O’Keefe 2(23)

12:40 IST Lyon continues, Rahul flicks it from outside off towards square leg, picks up a single. Vijay comes forward, hits him on the pads, short leg takes the catch, appeals, no run. Vijay guides that one to square leg, no run. Rahul pushes that one back to eh bowler. Extra bounce for him this time, dropped! He goes on the back foot and takes a single.

12:27 IST Starc continues, bowls it wide, angling away from Vijay, no run. This time extra bounce from the pitch, Vijay adjust and plays a defensive shot, no run. Vijay punches the next ball staying still in his crease, no run. Bouncer! Vijay anticipates it quickly, ducks and lets it go into Saha’s hands. Good line and length from Starc, Vijay offers a solid defence, gets right behind the ball and watches it closely. Vijay tries to work that one past point fielder, no run.

12:32 IST Lyon opens along side Starc, first ball takes an inside edge towards leg slip, Rahul gets off the marks straight away. This one took a mean spin, hits Vijay on the pads, runs towards the boundary, first of this innings. Another inside edge off the bat, Vijay survives. This one was on the pads, in the air, Lyon does not appeal. Another one on pads, this time Lyon appeals, Umpire shakes his head. Last ball, Vijay sweeps and takes a single on that delivery, keeps strike.

12:28 IST Vijay lets the first ball go towards Wade’s gloves, good pace from Starc. Second ball, good line from Starc, Vijay was forced to play that one, defends, no run. Vijay tries to drive that one, straight to the fielder, no run. Vijay hits this one back to Starc, he gets his toes to the ball, no run as he deflects it to mid-on. Bouncer from Starc, Vijay is happy tod uck and leave that one. Last ball was pitched on middle and leg, Vijay defends, no run, maiden over from Starc.

12:24 IST Mitchell Starproceedingsthe proceedsing of first innings

India needs 441 runs to win the first Test at Pune. The highest successful chase record is 418, on this pitch it is almost an impossible task to accomplish. Fingers are crossed as Indian fans will be waiting for a miracle innings from our ‘Chase-Master’ Virat Kohli.

LUNCH BREAK! 

OUT! Steve O’Keefe c Wriddhiman Saha b Ravindra Jadeja 6(42)

11:44 IST Jadeja continues, a front foot block from O’Keefe. Defends once again as the ball was turning away from him. Two more dot deliveries follow. The next one to be bowled from over the wicket. Hits him on the pads and then bats, no run. WICKET! The angle worked, Jadeja gets an edge of O’Keefe bat, he has wrapped up the Australian innings. India have to chase down a target of 441 in fourth innings.

11:40 IST Umesh Yadav continues, Hazlewood pushes it towards cover, no run. This one was pitched on off side off, no run. This one was angled into Hazlewood, picks up a quick single. O’Keefe on strike, angled in delivery, flicks it away using his wrists, FOUR! good shot from him. This time he drives the ball back to Umesh Yadav, no run.

11:37 IST Jadeja continues, does not offer any width to him. O’Keefe too does not try to play any fancy shot. A good over from Jadeja, another maiden.

11:35 IST Yadav starts off with a dot ball. Lyon defends that one, no run on that delivery either. Lyon manages to get bat on ball somehow, this was coming back into the wicket. OUT! This one came back sharply into the pads of Lyon. Umesh Yadav is delighted, he has got another wicket, second for today. Josh Hazlewood comes on strike, he defends the two remaining balls, no run.

11:32 IST WICKET! Nathan Lyon lbw Umesh Yadav 12(13)

Umesh Yadav has been brought back into the attack.

11:29 IST Jadeja continues, O’Keefe offers a defensive shot there, no run. Comes forward and blocks another one, no run. He defends it again, no run. That one missed the edge off the bat by a whisker, no run. O’Keefe tries to work it towards point, finds the fielder, no run. Beats him again, Jadeja is on a roll.

11:28 IST Carrom ball from Ashwin, Lyon works it towards the gap and picks up a single. O’Keefe finally gets off the mark. That one goes towards leg side, picks up a single. O’Keefe offers a defensive shot there, no run. That one spun a lot, no run, hits him on the pads. He takes a single towards mid-wicket. SIX! Lyon takes him on, Umesh Yadav tried to take the catch but tripped over the boundary line, 9 runs from the over.

11:24 IST Jadeja continues, Lyon swipes hard, gets a boundary, first for him. Lbw appeal, right in front of the wickets as Lyon tries another sweep. Jadeja is not happy, India do not have a choice as they have used up all their reviews. Three dot deliveries to end the over as O’Keefe defends, 5 runs from the over.

11:21 IST First ball, onto the pads, a faint appeal, Umpire ignores it, Lyon takes a single this time towards backward square leg. Another appeal but that surely did not hit the bat. O’Keefe comes forward, no run. Inside edge! Comes down the wicket, goes past Saha for a boundary, 5 runs from the over.

11:19 IST Jadeja continues, Nathan Lyon defends that one, a flighted delivery from him. Lyon takes a single off the next. O’Keefe on strike, beaten by Jadeja, no run. He does it well to defend that, no run. Another defensive block to end the over, just one run from it.

11:15 IST WICKET! Mitchell Starc c KL Rahul b R Ashwin 30(31)

11:15 IST Ashwin continues, Starc pushes it back to him, no run. Starc drops a wild slog, Ashwin drops it short, misses the bat, no run. He defends that one, no run. SIX! He connects again, hits it well past the boundary, this is not a good sign for India. A dot delivery from Ashwin. He slogs again, WICKET! Caught at deep mid wicket boundary by KL Rahul. Another wicket for Ashwin.

11:12 IST Jadeja continues, O’Keefe on strike, he defends the first one. That one beats him fair and square, no run. Another one misses the bat, no run. He defends on that ocassion, no run. two more dot balls to follow. A good over from Jadeja, another maiden. Finishes his over within a minute, that should be a record or something.

11:11 IST Ashwin continues, Starc on strike, that one was slower through the air, gets beaten off side off. Next one, SIX! that one was a biggie from Starc, Sunil Gavaskar says, ”what a connection!”. Starc blocks that one. Another defensive block from him. He drives this time but fielder at short cover fields it diving to his left, no run.

11:07 IST OUT! Steven Smith lbw Ravindra Jadeja 109(202)

11:07 IST Jadeja continues, beats the bat by a mile. Smith takes a single off the next. Starc on strike, he goes on back foot but does not get a run. He comes down the wicket and takes a single this time. Smith on strike, OUT! Jadeja gets his man, plumb in front of wicket as he tries to hit the ball on backfoot. Smith has taken the review, he thinks he is not out. But, the DRS does not work in his favour, he is out, gone after scoring 109. Now, Indian bowlers will look to mp up the tail quickly. Steve O’Keefe comes on strike, beats him straightawy, a great over comes to an end.

11:04 IST Misses the bat, no run, Ashwin is not happy. Another dot ball, this time he defends. Smith guides the next one towards third man for a couple of runs. He defends this one with a straight bat. Smith takes a single, Starc is back on strike, he does not try to score off that one, no run.

11:01 IST Smith defends that one from Jadeja. Next ball, he takes a single and Starc is back on strike, he gets on back foot and guides the ball towards boundary. This time he watches the ball closely go into Saha’s hands. SIX! Starc goes big, muscles the ball over long on boundary, he is back to his natural game, Starc plays the next one back to Jadeja, no run.

10:58 IST Ravichandran Ashwin comes back into the attack, starts off with a dot ball to Smith who got to his 18th Test hundred. Smith hits this one into the gap, picks up a couple of runs. Another lbw shout but the Umpire si unmoved. Smith takes a single off the enxt delivery. Starc on strike, beats him, huge shout from Ashwin, Umpire says no again. Beats him again, outstanding over from him.

10:54 IST Jadeja continues, Smith comes forward and defends that one, no run. This time he goes on the backfoot and finds the gap, FOUR! WIth that boundary he moves onto 98. Smith comes forward and defends that one. This one misses the stumps, Jadeja is not happy. Smith hits this one into the gap, he takes a couple of runs. 100! Smith gets to his hundred and that too under pressure, he will remember thsi one for a long time, smashes his bat in the air, he is a happy man. Next one, comes down the track and takes a single, retains strike.

10:51 IST Umesh Yadav continues, a good length delivery to start the over, Smith defends it. This time Smith comes half-forward and defends it as well. In-swinging delivery from Umesh, Smith takes a quick single towards mid wicket, moves onto 93. Starc on strike, Umesh Yadav comes round the stumps to him, finds an edge but falls short of gully fielder, no run. This time he angles it towards Starc’s pads, he plays it towards mid-on, no run for him there. Another one on wickets, Starc defends, aggression from Umesh as he gets hold of the ball and threatens to hit it back at the stumps, good over from him, just a single.

10:47 IST Jadeja is back into the attack. Smith comes down the track, no run. He defnds that one with a straight bat. Another dot delivery from Jadeja. Turn and bounce! Smith misses that one by a mile, no run. He comes forward, blocks it with straight bat. Goes back into the crease and takes a single by punching the ball towards back foot, with that single he moves on to 92.

10:44 IST Umesh Yadav continues, short ball to Starc, he taps it for a single. Smith on strike, unorthodox pull shot from Smith on the short ball, takes a single. Starc back on strike, this one moves away from him, lack of footwork makes sure that he does not get bat on ball. Beats him again, Umesh Yadav is pumped up, he trying to expose the tail of Aussie batting lineup. This one was angled into Starc, he defends it with a straight bat, no run. Fuller delivery, more like a half-volley for Starc, he would not let that one go, drives and drives hard, first boundary of the innings for him.

10:40 IST Jayant Yadav continues, full toss to Smith, poor delivery, he caresses the ball towards boundary, he is inching closer to century. Smith takes a single towards square, new batsman Mitchell Starc is on strike. Surprisingly he has been sent ahead of everyone. Goes on the back foot, takes a single, off the mark straightaway. Smith on strike, defends that one easily. He takes a single this time around, brings Starc back on strike. Starc takes another single as he pushes the ball towards mid-off.

10:34 IST OUT! Mathew Wade c Wriddhiman Saha b Umesh Yadav 20(42)

10:34 IST Umesh Yadav continues, comes round the wicket to Wade, no run off the first ball. Huge Shout from Indian fielders, they believe that the ball has taken an edge, Umpire remains unmoved. The Snickometer shows that it took an edge. Unlucky that India do not have any reviews left. That one was pitched on leg, takes a single. Smith on strike, takes a single. Wade back on strike, short ball from Yadav, he ducks it, lets it got into Saha’s gloves. Good length delivery, Wade tries to drive on that occassion, edges it, Umpire raises his finger wicket for India, a crucial one.

10:29 IST Jayant Yadav continues, Smith comes down the wicket and takes a single. Wade on strike, Jayant bowls a no-ball, he takes a single, no balls have been frequent in this Test match. Jayant bowls it towards leg stump, Smith lets it hit the pads. Smith defends on that occasion, no run. Smith tries to sweep that one, hits the pads, no run. Another dot ball to end the over, good bowling from Jayant.

10:26 IST Umesh Yadav continues, Smith pushes that one for a single. Wade on strike, goes back into the crease and defends back of the length delivery. Good length delivery, Wade goes half forward and defends that one. This one was on the leg stump, Wade defends that one as well, should have smashed it. Bouncer from Umesh Yadav, everyone went up in unison. Umpire denies it, no review taken, Wade tries to pull it but fails. Perfect answe from Wade as he muscles that one towards the covers boundary.

10:22 IST Jayant continues, works it towards square, no run there as Rahul puts in a dive. Smith comes down the track but had to defend that one. Smith goes again, this time works it towards leg. Wade on strike, fuller on the stumps, he defends it with straight bat. Another dot ball to finish off the over.

10:19 IST Umesh Yadav continues, Smith shuffles across and defends that one, no run. Umesh pitches that one wide off the off stump, Smith guides it towards covers for a single. Wade on strike, that one was angled away from Wade, he shoulders arms, no run. Umesh runs in again, Wade dabs it towards mid wicket, good running between the wickets, picks up a couple of runs. Wade tries to play the pull shot, did not time it well, no run there, Rahul fields that one. Round the wicket to Wade, he defends it, no run.

10:15 IST Jayant continues, Wade lets that one go, no run. Wade comes forward this time, whoa! that one spun across, no run. Another defensive block from Wade. Good bowling from Jayant, comes forward and defends that one. Wade picks the length early this time, goes on the back foot and hits it for a boundary. A dot ball to finish off the over, four runs from it.

10:12 IST Umesh Yadav introduced into the attack, he took four wicket in the first innings. Good length delivery, angled in, Smith presents straight bat, no run. A good length delivery, Smith blocks it again, no run. Smith opens the face of the bat on this one, takes a single. Wade is back on strike. Over the wicket to Wade, pitched on middle and leg line, defended by Wade, no run.Round the wicket to Wade, he works it towards leg side for a single. Smith on strike, slower one from Umesh, Smith flashes his bat, misses the edge as it keeps low, no run.

10:08 IST Jayant Yadav is introduced into the attack, Wade comes forward an defends that. This time Wade stays in his crease and offers a defensive block. Another defensive block from Wade, this time comes forward. Jayant bowls this one on the stumps, Wade defends again. Change of length from Jayant, fuller delivery, Wade defends again. Jayant pulls out of the delivery, no run. The last ball goes straight into Saha’s hands, no run.

10:03 IST Jadeja continues, Smith comes forward and defends that one. Smith takes a single from the next ball. Wade on strike, hits it towards mid-wicket, fielder cuts it off, good running between the wickets, two runs completed. Wade defends that one at last moment, no run. Wade gets on his knees and tries to sweep that one, hits his pads, no run. Wade sweeps again, this time succeeds in taking a single.

10:02 IST Wade works it towards square for a single. Smith punches that one on the back foot, no run. Goes back on back foot again, no run. Smith tries to nudge it behind square, no run. This time Smith manages to sneak a quick single, Kohli is not happy. Wade lets that one go, two runs from the over.

9:59 IST Jadeja continues, Smith goes on back foot and defends that one. Similar result on the next ball, no run. That one came back to him, Smith comes forward and the ball hits the pads, Umpire says no, no review taken by India. Smith comes forward again, no run. Smith plays this one with a straight bat, no run. Smith comes down the track, hits this one towards mid wicket boundary four four!

9:57 IST Gets down the wicket and defends the first ball from Ashwin, no run. Ashwin runs in to ball, pulls off at last minute. Ashwin bowls, Smith hits it straight to shot mid wicket fielder, no run. Smith hits this one past short leg, steals a run. Wade on strike, takes an edge but falls before the fielder. Another dot ball to end the over, just one run from it.

9:54 IST Marsh strides forward but the ball hits his pads and goes past slip fielder for a boundary, Umpire says no to the appeal. Another lbw shout from Jadeja as the ball hits straight on the pads, this time Umpire nods with Jadeja, OUT! India gets their first wicket of the morning. Matthew Wade comes into bat, he defends the first ball. Wade sweeps the next ball behind square, takes a single.That one was pitched between middle and leg, Smith nudges it for a single. Wade tries to work it towards square, no run.

9:50 IST WICKET! Mitchell Marsh lbw Ravindra Jadeja 31(76)

9:48 IST Ashwin having a word with Kohli, fielding change taking place for Smith. First ball, Smith pushes that one towards long on for an easy single. Marsh on strike, takes a single towards point. Smith comes back on strike, goes past the leg slip, FOUR! Ashwin is not happy with that one, it was a half chance but could have been converted. Smith plays one towards backward squre leg, no run. SMith comes forward and dabs the ball in front of him, no run. Smith comes forward again, no run.

9:45 IST Smith dances down the tract and hits the ball with the spin towards long on for a single. Marsh gets forward and defends it, no run. Did not time it too well, defensive block, no run. Another defensive shot form Marsh, no run. Another defensive shot, Smith wants a run, Marsh says no. A dot ball to finish off the over, no run.

9:43 IST Ashwin continues, Smith drags that one from offstump to backward square leg for a single. Marsh pushes that one off back foot, FOU! another boundary for Marsh, not a good sign for India as every run increases pressure. Marsh pushes that one back to the bowler, no run. That one turned a bit more, hits the pads, no appeal. Marsh gets on back foot and defends that one, no run. Misses the edge, carrom ball from Ashwin, Marsh survives.

9:40 IST Smith defends that one with straigght but, that one did not spin much. Smith manages to put his bat down, no run. That one took an edge, goes past the slips, he takes a single. Another edge, but goes on the bounce to second slip, no run. Marsh gets forward and defends that one, no run. Last ball, arm ball from Jadeja, Marsh plays that towards off side, no run.

9:38 IST Smith goes down the wicket and takes a single towards long on. Marsh goes on back foot and punches that one from Ashwin, FOUR! welcome boundary for him. Marsh blocks that one, no run scored there. Marsh pushes it towards mid-wicket, no run, just five runs from the over.

9:36 IST Misses the edge, goes away from Saha to first slip, good start for Jadeja. LBW shout from Jadeja, denied by the Umpire. Marsh gets forward and defends that one, no run. Another defensive block from him, no run. Marsh presents a straight bat on that occasion, no run, Jadeja darts that on one middle stump, Marsh defends, no run, a maiden over for Jadeja.

9:33 IST First ball, no threat to Smith, successfully defends it. Second ball, spun a bit more, hits the pads, no run. Smith guides that one towards short third man, takes a single, runout shout by Saha, Umpire signals to third Umpire. No problem there, Marsh looks safe. Marsh weeps that one, takes a single towards square. Smith plays it towards point, takes another single. Marsh gives back the strike. A dot ball to finish off the over.

9:29 Players are making their way out on the field, Steven Smith and Mitchell Marsh to carry on the Australian innings. Ashwin to open the bowling for India.

9:21 IST Australia’s tactics will be to put as many runs as they can on the board and give India an unreal total to chase in the second innings as they would have all the time in the world to bowl the hosts out. On the other hand, Virat Kohli & Co. will focus on wrapping up the innings quickly and not make the same mistake they did not Day 2. R Ashwin will be the kye on Day 3 as the ball has started to turn fiercely.

9:18 IST Virat Kohli has great statistics when it comes to chasing totals. Kohli will not give this Test without a fight. Today’s play will be interesting folks, stay tuned.

9:15 IST Meanwhile, Australia’s legendary spinner predicts that India will wrap up Australian innings in a matter of 65 runs. Well, we all hope so that it happens this time around and Indian batting lineup redeems themselves in the last innings.

Welcome to InUth’s coverage of India vs Australia, Day 3 of the first Test at Pune. A knock on the head for India would suffice the way they have played against the touring team. Day 2’s play turned out to be a nightmare for Indian batting line up as they suffered an unusual batting collapse and that too in the hands of newcomer left-arm spinner Steve O’Keefe who registered his career-best figures on February 24.

India got bundled out for 105 in their first innings which meant that the Aussies got an emphatic 155-run lead against the hosts. Virat Kohli & Co’s bad run did not just continue in the batting department but succeeded in casting it’s shadow in the bowling department as well. Despite Ravichandran Ashwin taking quick 2 wickets to send the openers packing early on, Aussies ended Day 2 with 4 for 143.

Ashwin took 3 wickets whereas Jayant Yadav chipped in with a wicket on Day 3. It would be safe to say that India’s fielding was awful on Day 2 as they dropped 4 catches altogether, Smith got 2 times lucky as substitute fielder Abhinav Mukund dropped 2 catches in short leg position. It looks like he might get dropped out of the squad just for his poor fielding performance as Kohli has made his stand clear that a player needs to be in his agile best in the field.

A win looks in the grasp of the Aussies as the lead looks huge keeping in mind the pitch conditions at Pune with ball spinning square alongside uneven turn and bounce. With a win in Pune Test they will put an end to Virat Kohli & Co’s unbeaten streak of 19 Tests.

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