After a riveting contest between the bat and the ball, the day 3 of the second Test between India and Australia was set up beautifully. With backs to the wall, Virat Kohli and Co. had to put up a monumental effort to claw back into the match. India started off the day beautifully, wrapping up the Australian first innings for 276, and managing a lead of 87. That was an advantage against Australia considering the nature of the pitch which is crumbling and fast.
Earlier in the morning, Jadeja picked up three wickets to take his personal tally to 4. India resumed their second innings in a risk-free fluid way. Mukund and Rahul got India off to a secured start going into tea, without losing a wicket. India were on the right track but a couple of wickets here and there and they were pegged back. Virat Kohli was then dismissed, a decision that could have gone either way. Soon, a repeat of Pune loomed large, but that was when Pujara rose to the occasion and dropped anchor to grind the team out in the good old cricket fashion.
The application was finally seen from the Indian batsmen as Rahul notched up a fifty and soon got out, looking to play an unnecessary extravagant shot only to edge one to Smith. Smith pulled off a blinder to send Rahul packing.
Wow, what a gripping test, India showing their class in challenging conditions. Game on!! #IndvAus
— Tom Moody (@TomMoodyCricket) March 6, 2017
Pujara and Rahane launch Indian fightback on roller-coaster day in Bengaluru. Full recap here: https://t.co/IHS9w63oGQ #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/mTrEciOzZB
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 6, 2017
#TeamIndia end Day 3 on 213/4 (Pujara 79*, Rahane 40* ), lead Australia (276) by 126 runs #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/zcKvOxuVEF
— BCCI (@BCCI) March 6, 2017
That’s stumps! Rahane (40*) and Pujara (79*) form a crucial partnership to put India on top after day three https://t.co/iGxoJAaz64 #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/vNOOTDKT44
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 6, 2017
Looking ahead at day 4, India will be looking to get a lead of 200+; that is the par and anything below that would see the Blues in troubles. Australia, on the other hand, will look to bundle out India as early in the morning since the pitch will be hard to bat on Day 4 and 5.
Final over of the day… #INDvAUS pic.twitter.com/6UBBszM0Jk
— cricket.com.au (@CricketAus) March 6, 2017
Whatever may be the case, the game will not be a dead and dry one.
