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  4. India vs Australia 4th Test Match, Day 3 at Dharamsala, Highlights: Jadeja-Ashwin help hosts inch closer to series win!

India vs Australia 4th Test Match, Day 3 at Dharamsala, Highlights: Jadeja-Ashwin help hosts inch closer to series win!

IND vs AUS: KL Rahul and Murali Vijay help India get closer to victory in last six overs of the third session, need 87 more runs to seal series!

Day 3 belonged to India as they first got past Australia’s first innings score and took a lead of 32 runs. Then, the bowlers did their bit and wrapped up Australia’s second innings in a matter of two sessions. Australia got all out for 137 runs as they suffered a major batting collapse. They set a 106-run target for the fourth innings. Indian openers gave a fitting reply as they put on 19 runs on the board. India needs 87 more runs to win the Dharamsala Test and with it the Border-Gavaskar Trophy.

KL Rahul is batting on 13 whereas Vijay has scored 6 runs off 18 balls each. The fourth Test seems to be going no other way than India’s way as they have a lowly target to chase and 10 wickets in hand and two days to spare.

Jadeja started off the proceedings well with taking on Australians bowlers and completing his half-century, he top-scored for India with 63 runs. India bundled out quickly for 332 runs in the first session itself soon after Jadeja’s wicket. Australian top order failed to make an impact as they got back to the pavilion even before getting rid of the 32-run trail.


Australian top order failed to make an impact as they got back to the pavilion even before getting rid of the 32-run trail. Umesh Yadav and Bhuvnehswar Kumar bowled a fiery spell to make Australian top order bend the knee, including their in-form captain Steven Smtih. Only Maxwell and Wade could manage to hold fort as others fell cheaply and bundled out for 37.

16:49 IST Steve O’Keefe continues, Rahul on strike, last over of Day 3. Can he get a late breakthrough? Turn and bounce straight away, Wade was surprised on that one. One thing is for sure, the pitch is still helping the spinners. Rahul plays the next two deliveries on back foot. He goes back to the crease again and defends it. He comes forward on the next ball, no run. Rahul defends the ball by getting behind the wicket, a maiden over. India needs 87 runs more to win Dharamsala Test.

16:45 IST Pat Cummins continues, Vijay on strike. The first two deliveries did not pose any threat to him. Australian bowlers would have to do much more than that if they are to make this Test interesting in the last session. Next ball, Vijay plays it towards off side, no run. Strange that Nathan Lyon did not bowl this over. Bouncer! Vijay ducks that one, no run. Short of the length delivery on the off stump line, he lets it go into Wade’s hands. Huge lbw shout! the Umpire says no as it seemed to be going down the leg side. Wait, the Aussies have reviewed that one, what a way to waste review. A maiden over from Cummins.

16:39 IST Hazlewood continues, Vijay on strike. He plays the first two balls defensively and flicks the thrid one towards mid-wicket, good running from the two batsmen as they take 3 runs. Rahul on strike, whoa! he is beaten by that, perfect delivery from Hazlewood. Rahul breathes a sigh of relief. He plays the next one towards mid-wicket, no run as it goes straight to the fielder. A short of the length delivery, Vijay manages to play it down, 3 runs from the over.

16:34 IST Cummins continues, Rahul on strike, he pushes that one off the back foot, no run. He lets the next one go to Wade’s gloves. He takes a single off the next ball behind square leg, brings Vijay on strike. Vijay gets behind the short ball and defends it, no run. Next ball, he lets the ball carry to Wade watching it closely go past him. A gentle push off the front foot to covers, a single taken by Vijay-Rahul.

16:30 IST Hazlewood to bowl from other end, Vijay on strike. He drives the first ball but not into the gap, no run. He defends the next ball as well pitched in the line of stumps, no run. Nice drive from Vijay, point fielder does well to get hand on that, a couple of runs in Vijay’s account. Next ball, Hazlewood bowls a short of the length delivery, Vijay defends it on back foot. Bouncer! Vijay does well to duck that, no run. He moves across the crease and flicks it towards square leg, no run.

16:25 IST Cummins opens the bowling, Rahul dabs it into the surface, no run, good defensive block from him. Edged and FOUR! The edge goes through the slips and runs away to the third man boundary for four! This is hearbreaking for Australian bowlers, they have a small target to defend at Dharamsala.

FOUR! Whoa, rubbing salt on wounds, an off drive from Rahul running towards the boundary. Bouncer! Rahul does good, getting away from the ball’s line. FOUR! That delivery was asking to be smashed, Rahul flicked it away towards sqaure leg boundary for four! The first session tomorrow will be enough for India to chase down this total. Bouncer! Rahul ducks that one, 12 runs from the over.

16:19 IST Murali Vijay and KL Rahul come out to bat, Pat Cummins to open  the bowling. India have to play just 6 overs in the last session on Day 3.

India needs 106 runs to win Dharamsala Test and with it the Border-Gavaskar Trophy!

16:09 IST WICKET! Josh Hazlewood lbw Ravichandran Ashwin 0(9)

16:10 IST Ashwin round the wicket to Hazlewood, he defends the first ball on front foot. He plays the next one towards on side, no run. OUT! The next one carried Vijay. The Umpire referred it and the replay shows that the ball bounced before. The Umpire calls back Hazlewood, Australia have got a lifeline.

He starts off with a carrom ball, appeals again and this time it has gone up. Australia are all out for 137. Wait, Hazlewood has reviewed it. The haw-eye shows he is out, no damage done!

16:04 IST Dropped! R Ashwin drops that one, it was a sitter, that should have been caught, Umesh is not happy, he is frustrated. He plays the next one towards mid-wicket, no run taken by Wade. He drives the next one towards covers, fielded, no run. Another shot from Wade, this time extra cover fields it. The lead is 99 runs. FOUR! Superb shot from Wade, he cuts that one towards point as the ball rocketed towards the boundary. 103 runs lead now. He pulls the next one past mid-wicket, mis-fielding from Pujara, a couple of runs taken.

15:59 IST Ashwin comes into the attack. Wade attacks him straightaway, tries to slog him but could not time that, no run. He comes down the track now but could not time that one. SIX! He is able to time this one, effortless timing getting down the track. Wade takes a couple of runs from the next ball. He takes a single on the 5th delivery. Hazlewood on strike on the last ball, he defends it, 9 runs from the over.

15:56 IST Josh Hazlewood continues, he somehow survives the first over. Wade is not letting him take strike for the next over.

15:52 IST WICKET! Nathan Lyon c Mrali Vijay b Umesh Yadav 0(6) Lyon went to play that one pitched in the area of uncertainity and got the result. Umesh Yadav gets his third wicket on Day 3.

Umesh Yadav continues from round the wicket, Wade takes a single off the first ball, is he right in giving Lyon the strike against the fiery fast bowler in form. Whoa! almost got an edge, missed by a whisker. Lyon is in trouble straight away.

15:50 IST Nathan Lyon comes into bat, plays the first ball with straight bat. He is beaten on the second ball by the turn on that delivery. Another dot delivery to follow, a wicket-maiden from Jadeja.

15:46 IST WICKET! Steve O’Keefe c Cheteshwar Pujara b Ravindra Jadeja 0(4) That had to happen when you block each and every delivery, the ball bounces a bit and carries to Pujara. It’s high time that Wade realises that he needs to attack to score runs.

15:46 IST Wade on strikes, Umesh continues. He shoulders arms on first delivery as he lets it go into Saha’s hands. He gets behind the ball on the next delivery and defends it. Next ball, pitched in line of stumps, Wade plays it with a straight bat. Bouncer! Wade ducks that one, no run. Another back of the length delivery, Wade presents a straight bat, Umesh picks up the ball and comes round the wicket. Wade lets the last ball go, another maiden over from Umesh.

15:42 IST Steve O’Keefe comes into bat, he is welcomed by a ripper of delivery, missing the edge of the bat. He plays the last ball on front foot, no run.

15:39 IST WICKET! Pat Cummins c Ajinkya Rahane b Ravindra Jadeja 12(49) That one bounced a bit more and took the edge, carrying to Rahane.

Jadeja continues, Wade plays that one on front foot, no run. He turns the ball away for a single towards mid-wicket. Cummins on strike, he is a goner!

15:37 IST Umesh starts off with a ball pitched on the leg stump, hits the pads, no run. Whoa! that one was pitched up almost got the wicket of Cummins as the ball came in and flew just above the bails. An outswinger to follow from Umesh, beats him again. He is using reverse swing to it’s best effect. Two more deliveries bowled in the area of uncertainties. Another dot to end the over, this spell is going to be another fiery one. A maiden over from Umesh.

Umesh Yadav comes back into the attack!

Drinks Break! Australia lead by 88 runs

15:29 ISTWade on strike, Jadeja continues, Wade is trying to frustrate Indian spinners from his blockathon. Jadeja too is not holding back as he is bowling a tight line, giving him nothing to work on and keeping the pressure on. Another maiden from him.

15:27 IST Ashwin continues, Wade on strike, he finally takes a single off the third delivery, moves his score to 8. Cummins on strike, he is trying to find the gap. FOUR! Welcome boundary for Australia as he drives the ball through covers. He is starting to attack now. India need a change in bowling.

15:24 IST Jadeja continues, Cummins on strike, the ball beats the offside edge on the first ball. Cummins defends the two balls on front foot. Saha says that he will give his wicket in the next two deliveries. Whoa! he almost did as eh edged the ball but wide of first slip. Cummins plays a cautious defensive shot of the rest of the deliveries. Another maiden from Jadeja.

15:21 IST Ashwin continues, Wade on strike, he comes forward and defends it, no run. He goes on the back foot on the next delivery, pushes the ball towards covers, no run. Wade plays with soft hands on the next delivery towards square leg, no run. Lbw shout! but the Umpire says no. Wade is still defending, a maiden over from Ashwin. It’s time for India to bring a change in bowling.

15:18 IST Jadeja continues, Cummins on strike, he has played differently today, trying to block almost every delivery, pressing down his natural instinct to attack. He edges the fifth ball but it goes safe, Cummins takes couple of runs. Just 2 runs from the over as Cummins mistimes the ball towards point.

15:16 IST Ashwin continues, Cummins on strike, he bowled the second delivery quicker through the air which helped Cummins take a single. Wade too takes a single from the first ball he faces. A fuller delivery from Ashwin, Cummins plays it towards covers, no run. He pushes the next one towards long-on, takes a single. Wade comes forward and defends the last ball.

15:13 IST Jadeja continues, Cummins on strike, he defends the first one towards on side, no run. Cummins plays the next one towards backward square leg, takes a single. Wade continues to defend, plays it from within the crease. An appeal from Jadeja for catch in the slip position but the ball did not take an inside edge. No runs scored of the rest of the deliveries, just a single from Jadeja’s over.

13:10 IST Ashwin continues, Cummins on strike, he continues to lure in the batsmen and make him go for the drive. He comes round the wicket now on the fourth ball, hits the ball toward covers, no run. He takes a single towards long-on, brings Wade on strike. He comes forward and defends it, just a single of the over.

13:08 IST Wade on strike, Jadeja continues, he is trying to smother the spin now getting his leg out for the first two deliveries. Wade hits a cover drive but straight to the fielder. The fifth delivery surprised him as it did not turn and took an edge. Another maiden from Jadeja, Wade still batting on 6 from 48 balls.

15:06 IST Ashwin continues, Cummins goes for the drive and misses the ball completely. He edges the next ball, takes a couple of runs there towards backward short leg. Cummins plays the next two deliveries defensively. He dabs down the next ball behind the wicket, no run. Last ball hitting him on the pads but was going way down the leg side, 2 runs from the over.

15:03 IST Jadeja to Wade, tries to get down the track on the second ball but did not succeed in getting the better of the left-armer. One of the slip-fielder says that keep bowling this line and he will give you his wicket. Another maiden from Jadeja as Wade holds back after trying an attacking shot.

15:01 IST Ashwin to Cummins, he comes forward and defends first ball. He plays the next one with soft hands, Wade wanted a run but Cummins said no. Another dot delivery as Cummins plays the ball towards short leg. Another defensive block from him, no run. Cummins is not attacking at all, a dot dleivery. A maiden over from Ashwin as Cummins refrains from playing any attacking shot.

14:59 IST Jadeja to Wade, he is itching to get off strike. Australia will have to change their tactics here, they have got a lead of just 74 runs, they need to attack and extend the lead. Another maiden from Jadeja, Wade still struggling.

14:57 IST Pat Cummins comes into bat, he is not attacking today, trying to play the ball with a dead bat, good over from Ashwin, a wicket from it.

14:52 IST WICKET! Glenn Maxwell lbw Ravichandran Ashwin 45(60) Caught in front, Maxwell does not offer any shot and the Umpire raises his finger. Maxwell reviews it, but the Umpire’s call is repsected by the Third Umpire.

14:51 IST Maxwell takes a single on the first ball of Jadeja’s over. Wade again struggles against Jadeja, plays out of the rest of the deliveries with last ball appealed on by Jadeja, no review taken. Maxwell is still batting on 43.

14:48 IST Wade on strike, Ashwin continues, he is still struggling to get his footwork right. Last ball, edged and safe! The ball goes down to the fine leg for four despite Karun Nair putting in a dive. Wade is surviving on the edge of the knife. 100 up for Australia!

14:46 IST Jadeja continues, Maxwell on strike. FOUR! He sweeps and sweeps hard, the ball rocketing towards the boundary for four. Saha advices Jadeja to dart the ball into the stumps to him. Jadeja is excited on the third delivery for an edge. An appeal for stump out but Maxwell was well in. Another one spinning away from the bat, Saha is acknowledging that the ball is turning. Another dot ball to end the over, 4 runs from it.

14:42 IST Ashwin continues, Wade is being given some taste of his own medicine as Indian fielders in catching position had a laugh. Ashwin is beating Wade from the turn he is getting from the pitch. Wade is trying to keep his wicket intact and support Maxwell at other end. Excellet over from Ashwin as the last ball misses the edge by a whisker. Another maiden from Ashwin.

14:40 IST Jadeja continues, Maxwell on strike, he manages to take a single on the second ball towards covers, getting on the back foot. Wade on strike, Jadeja is trying to pitch the ball outside off stump and bring it back to Wade. He steps down on the last ball and creams the ball towards long-on for a single.

14:37 IST Wade is being too cautious against Ashwin, he is struggling, it is quite clear from the way he is approaching the off-spinner. Not a single run from the over, a maiden for Ashwin.

14:34 IST Huge lbw shout from Ashwin! The Umpire says no, Rahane takes the review! The review shows there was no bat , the impact is on line but Umpire’s call stands as the ball seemed to flick the ball, Wade survives.

14:33 IST Mathew Wade comes in to bat, he is facing Jadeja, no trash talks from his end as Australia are under pressure. He takes a single off the last ball and gets off strike.

14:31 IST The last session of Day 3 is underway!

One should not hold back from admitting that the second session belonged to India. Indian fast bowlers bowled a combined spell of lifetime as they got rid of the Australian top order in a matter of 31 runs. Umesh Yadav and Bhuvneshwar Kumar bowled short deliveries with perfection. This has to be rated one of the best spells on Indian pitches.

Later on, Maxwell and Handscomb tried to get the Australian innings back on track. They shared more than 50-run partnership. But, it was Ashwin who got the wicket of Handscomb as Rahane took a blinder at slip position. Jadeja too joined in and got the wicket of Shaun Marsh. India are on top of their game as the Australians have managed to get a lead of 60 runs. Remember folks, I already told you that this Test won’t see the light of Day 5.

Tea Break! Australia lead by 60 runs

14:11 IST WICKET! Shaun Marsh c Cheteshwar Pujara b Ravindra Jadeja 1(6) Marsh is disappointed in himself as he edges the ball to short leg fielder Pujara. Jadeja is delighted as he gets his first wicket in the second innings.

14:10 IST Shaun Marsh comes in to bat, Ashwin comes round the wicket. FOUR byes! the ball was pitched on the leg side and Saha could not get hold of it. Marsh takes a single on the last ball, 6 runs and  a wicket from the over.

14:06 IST WICKET! Peter Handscomb c Ajinkya Rahane b Ravichandran Ashwin 18(46) Whoa! what a catch from the skipper in slip position. Ashwin gets the breakthrough India needed, Australia in trouble.

14:04 IST Jadeja comes from other end, Maxwell on strike, he pushes the ball towards covers, takes a couple of runs as Vijay puts in a dive. He takes a single on the third delivery. Whoa! that one did not bounce at all, Jadeja thought he had him. Handscomb barely survives, 3 runs from the over.

14:01 IST Ravinchandran Ashwin comes into attack, Maxwell is not able to pick his variation, manages to take a single on the third ball. Peter Handscomb on strike, he is creating problems for right-handed batsmen with the bounce he is getting like Lyon did.

13:57 IST Kuldeep Yadav continues, Maxwell on strike, he manages to take a single on the third ball. Kuldeep is not getting much help from the pitch. FOUR! Handscomb hits the ball on the full towards covers on the fifth ball. 50-run partnership for these two, they have helped Australia take a lead of 50 runs. A dot delivery to end the over.

13:54 IST Jadeja continues, Handscomb on strike, he takes a single on the second ball. Whoa! Maxwell could not figure that one out, the ball spun square and that too with bounce, no way these two batsmen are having it easy out there. Three more singles from the over, India looking for a breakthrough.

13:51 IST Maxwell on strike, Kuldeep Yadav continues. He takes a single on the third ball, Kuldeep has came back really well after getting hit for back-to-back boundaries. Handscomb on strike, he takes a single behind square leg, brings Maxwell on strike. He plays the next two deliveries cautiously, just 2 runs from the over.

13:48 IST Jadeja continues, Handscomb on strike, a front foot block to start with. Handscomb plays the next one with straight bat, no run. Fuller delivery from Jadeja as Handscomb does well to get back into the crease, pushes it back, no run. Catch it cry from Jadeja as the ball was in the air, just short of Vijay, no run. FOUR! Turn and bounce from him but the ball takes an edge and goes racing towards the third man. An arm ball to end the over, Handscomb makes a mess of it as the ball goes through bat and pads, misses the stumps, great over from Jadeja.

13:44 IST Kuldeep Yadav continues, Maxwell on strike, that one skidded through the pitch. Maxwell does well to defend that. FOUR! Maxwell goes deep into the crease and hits that one towards cover boundary for four. He defends the next delivery, a stock Chinaman delivery. The next one hit him on the pads, no run. Next ball, it was in the air for a while, short mid-wicket fielder Jadeja does well to stop that. A front foot block to finish the over, four runs from it.

13:41 IST Jadeja continues, Handscomb on strike, he is still bowling the stump-to-stump line not giving him room to work with. Meanwhile, Sanajay Bangar having a chat with Kuldeep, give him some words of wisdom. Jadeja is slowing down the flow of runs. Extra bounce on last ball as it took an edge, but landed safely. A maiden over from Jadeja.

13:39 IST Kuldeep Yadav continues, starts off with a wrong one, Handscomb does well to pcik it, no run. He comes down the track and takes a single towards deep mid-wicket, no run. FOUR! Maxwell makes room for himself and plays that one against the spin, pierces the field on the offside as the ball goes towards covers  boundary. SIX! This time he goes big, hits the ball over long on fence for a maximum. Next ball, googly, he does well to defend it. A dot delivery to end the over, 11 runs from it.

13:35 IST Jadeja into the attack, Handscomb on strike, a bit of bounce on that delivery, he lets it go. Shoulders arms on next one but it was the arm ball, lucky that one did not hit the stumps. Handscomb pushes the next ball towards mid-on, no run. A front foot block from him on next ball. A drive from him on next ball but straight to short covers fielder, no run. He takes a single off the last ball, retains strike.

13:32 IST Kuldeep Yadav, the ‘Wonder Boy’ into the attack. Handscomb on strike, got a blunt edge on the first ball, takes a single. Next ball, Maxwell goes back into the crease and pushes it back, no run. Kuldeep got both of them in the first innings with two completely different deliveries. 1 run from the over.

13:29 IST Umesh Yadav continues, Maxwell on strike. FOUR! A glimpse of Ricky Ponting in that back foot punch towards covers, beautiful shot from him. He defends the next ball, FOUR! another beautiful stroke from Maxwell, he is the man who can change the game in half a session, especially the kind of situation on Day 3 calls for his kind of innings. 8 runs from the over, India need to get Maxwell out early.

13:23 IST Umesh Yadav continues after drinks break, Maxwell on strike, he goes on back foot and plays the short ball down. Another bouncer! Maxwell just manages to get out of the way, good stuff continues to pour in from Umesh Yadav. Another bouncer, Maxwell ducks it comfortably, it seems like he expected that. FOUR! Nice looking drive from Maxwell. Meanwhile, Jadeja says ”isko bata aage hi dalega” meaning that pitch him up only. Maxwell takes a single off the next ball, Handscomb on strike, he defends the last ball, 5 runs from this over.

Drinks Break! Australia lead by 5 runs with 7 wickets in hand. With Smith gone, India are in high spirits. This Test will not see the light of Day 5 if Indian bowlers continue to bowl like this.

13:15 IST Bhuvneshwar Kumar continues, Maxwell takes a single off the first delivery and gets off the mark. Handscomb on strike, beats the offside edge again, tremendous bowling effort from these two. He plays the next one towards mid-on, no run. Handscomb is still not off strike. A short ball on the offside line, Handscomb lets it go to Saha. FOUR! Great shot from him as the guides the ball towards squarer boundary on the offside. A good delivery from him, dot ball, 5 runs from the over.

13:11 IST Maxwell on strike, he takes a single first ball and the scores are lavel as Australia get rid of the trail, leg byes signalled by the umpire. Handscomb plays out the rest of the deliveries. Just a single and wicket for Umesh in that over.

13:08 IST WICKET! Matthew Renshaw c Wriddhiman Saha b Umesh Yadav 8(33) It was a complete setup from Umesh as he got Renshaw to surrender, could not get out of the way and gave a simple catch to Saha. I have not seem a fast bowling effort this good on Indian pitches for a while!

Australia still trail by 1 run! 

13:04 IST Peter Handscomb on strike as he comes into bat, inswinging deliveries from Bhuvneshwar, he is fired up now!

13:00 IST WICKET! Steven Smith  b Bhuvneshwar Kumar 17(15) Too ambitious from Smith as he tries to score third boundary in a row, drags the ball to his stumps as the ball takes an inside edge. Bhuvneshwar has justifed his selection in the team. Has India sealed the series with this wicket?

Smith on strike, Bhuvneshwar continues, FOUR! that one was easy on the eyes, drags the ball from outside the off stump to backward square boundary for four. FOUR! Another boundary from Smith, back-to-back boundaries. He is trying to unsettle Bhuvnehswar.

12:57 IST Umesh Yadav continues, Smith on strike, he takes a single towards backward square leg for a single. Renshaw on strike, he defends it, the ball goes towards point, no run. A short delivery this time, Renshaw defends on back foot, no run. Renshaw tries to guide another one through slips but Vijay does well to stop that one, congratulated by players, saves a certain boundary. FOUR! Renshaw guides that one pitched outside the line of leg stump, the ball races towards the boundary. Renshaw guides the next one towards gully, no run.

12:53 IST Bhuvnehswar Kumar continues, Renshaw on strike. He lets the first one go into Saha’s gloves. He defends the next ball. Bhuvnehswar comes round the wicket. he comes forward and defends it, no run. A maiden over from Bhuvneshwar as Renshaw is being cautious with the new ball doing it’s trick.

12:49 IST Umesh Yadav continues, Smith on strike, no run of the first delivery. Next ball, Smith gets in line and lets that one go into Saha’s gloves. He takes a couple of runs off the next delivery towards square leg. He shoulders arms again as the ball was pitched outside off stump line. Bouncer! Smith does well to drop his wrists, no run. Another inswinger, Smith defends it with straight bat, no run, just 2 runs from the over.

12:45 IST Bhuvneshwar Kumar continues, he is bowling with a field that will not allow Smith to takes easy singles. He takes a single on the third delivery. Renshaw on strike, he defends that one without any problem. Another short of the length delivery, hits Renshaw on body. The last ball beats Renshaw’s bat, this is exciting stuff from Indian bowlers, just a single from the over.

12:40 IST Umesh continues, Smith on strike, FOUR! what a way to get off the mark as he flicks the ball for a boundary the first ball he faces. A fielder placed in that area by Rahane. Smith takes a single on the next delivery, Renshaw on strike, he has something in his eyes, mils pause in play. Next ball, he defends that one, no run. A short-leg fielder for him, Renshaw plays the next one on the back foot, no run. Another short delivery, hits Renshaw on the body, a cracker of delivery to end the over, five runs and a wicket from the over.

Steven Smith comes in to bat, he is the danger man India need to get out early

12:34 IST WICKET! David Warner c Wriddhiman Saha b Umesh Yadav 6(5) It does not get any better than that, squared him up in the crease, no footwork there, took the edge and Saha made no mistake.

12:33 IST Bhuvneshwar continues, short ball from him as well! Warner could not get out of the way, hit his gloves, survives. Indian bowlers are firing today, great start from Umesh-Bhuvneshwar! This is not going to be easy for Warner-Renshaw. Dropped! Karun Nair drops the catch at slips again, Bhuvneshwar is pissed with that one, the ball popped up from his hand. A beauty of a delivery from him. He takes a single on the next ball, Renshaw on strike. he shoulders arms on that one, lack of bounce on that delivery. Next ball, this one was pitched outside the leg stump line, he lets it go, no run. He plays the enxt one towards gully, no run.

12:27 IST Umesh Yadav continues, David Warner on strike, little bit of width there and he smashes the ball towards back point for a boundary. This is good stuff from Warner. He takes a single off the next ball and gets off strike. Renshaw on strike, a cracker of a delivery from Umesh as he was squared up in the crease by that delivery. That is the kind of length he needs to bowl. A short ball to follow, Renshaw shoulders arms and lets it go to Saha. Whoa! another bouncer, that one bounced from back of length, Renshaw was dumbfounded whereas Saha does well to collect it. Another dot to end the over. Umesh is in full flow, great over from him.

12:23 IST Bhuvnehswar opens up with an inswinging delivery, Renshaw defends it staying in the crease. Next ball, Renshaw shoulders arms as he lets that one go. Edged and FOUR! Renshaw scores first boundary as the ball travels between the slips. He follows up with a short delivery, Renshaw lets it go to Saha. A dead ball signalled as Renshaw pulls off at last moment. Another short of the length delivery, Renshaw plays it on the back foot, no run. He opened the face of the bat towards point on the last ball, just 4 runs from the over.

12:18 IST Bhuvneshwar to start the proceedings, Matthew Renshaw on strike!

12:15 IST Australian openers are set to walk out in the middle and start the second innings, Will Kuldeep Yadav shine again? Stay tuned to know what happens!

Nathan Lyon gets a fifer as he takes the last wicket of debutant Kuldeep Yadav. It has been a balanced first session so far for both the teams as India were able to take a lead of 32 runs whereas the Aussies were able to wrap up India’s first innings. Ravindra Jadeja starred on Day 3 as he completed his half-century and scored at a brisk rate. Those valuable runs will come in handy for India as they take the field after the lunch break.

Dharamsala Test has been an interesting so far and it is expected to stay that way as Australia come into bat in the first session. Everyone will watch out for Kuldeep Yadav as they expect him to work his magic in the second innings as well. We were fortunate enough to witness Jadeja’s talwaarbazi. Wade too tried to unsettle Jadeja from behind the wickets but got a fitting reply as he went onto score runs at a brisk rate helping India take a lead.

Innings Break! India lead by 32 runs. 

11:37 IST WICKET! Kuldeep Yadav c Hazlewood b Nathan Lyon 7(17) Kuldeep sweeps against the spin and Hazlewood manages to catch it on the boundary.

11:36 IST O’Keefe continues, Kuldeep Yadav is not letting the left-armer dominate him anyhow. The lunch break has been postponed for half an hour. Kuldeep takes a single towards long-on, brings Umesh on strike. Wade is still trying his little trick behind the stumps. Umesh remains calm and plays out two deliveries.

11:33 IST Cummins continues, Umesh on strike, he lets the first ball go to Wade, no run. Beats the offside edge, looks like it is just a matter of time before Umesh gets out. He takes a single on the next delivery towards backward point. Kuldeep on strike, he plays it towards covers. Kuldeep too has got a First-Class hundred, he plays the next one towards square leg for a single. Umesh on strike for the last ball, A dot delivery to end the over, short and pitched down the leg, Wade does well to collect it.

11:28 IST O’Keefe continues, Kuldeep on strike. FOUR! A beautiful shot from him as he sweeps the ball behind square leg for a boundary. Kuldeep is showing a good intent with the bat, blocking the ball with precision on front foot, he is not giving away his wicket easily.

11:25 IST Pat Cummins has got another wicket, surprising Saha, Smith takes an outstanding catch, Yadavs on the field now as India suffer another batting collapse. Umesh Yadav on strike, he takes a single towards mid-wicket on the second ball he faces. Kuldeep on strike. Four byes and wide as well! Cummins bowls a short delivery which did not carry to Wade at all. Kuldeep ducks again as Cummins bowls another bouncer. Kuldeep defends that ball very well and takes a single towards mid-wicket, first Test runs for him. Umesh lets the last ball go into Wade’s hands.

11:19 IST WICKET! Wriddhiman Saha c Steven Smith b Pat Cummins 31(102) Smith plucked that one from thin air!

11:19 IST Kuldeep defends the first delivery he faces from Steve O’Keefe, attacking field setting for him.

Kuldeep Yadav comes into bat, can he work his magic with the bat as well?

11:16 IST WICKET! Bhuvnehswar Kumar c Steven Smith b Steve O’Keefe 0(7)

Steve O’Keefe into the attack, he has been introduced as Jadeja is back into the pavilion. Saha takes a single on the third delivery. That brings Bhuvneshwar on strike.

11:14 IST Cummins is trying to bowl short to Bhuvnehswar, he has got a First-Class hundred under his belt. He needs to support Saha and keep his wicket intact. A wicket-maiden from Cummins, Bhuvneshwar showing application on the crease.

Bhuvneshwar Kumar comes into bat!

11:09 IST WICKET! Ravindra Jadeja b Pat Cummins 63(95) Jadeja dragged that one onto the stumps, Cummins gets a well-deserved wicket. Jadeja has done his task, scoring runs at a good rate. Saha has to bat with the tail now, if India get a 100-run lead, it would create pressure on Australia!

11:07 IST Saha on strike, Maxwell continues, he takes a single towards long-on, brings Jadeja on strike. Maxwell comes round the wicket, Jadeja plays that one towards covers for a single. Saha on strike, he pushes the ball back to the bowler, no run. He tries to make room on the next delivery but could not get it past covers. A front foot block to end the over, 2 runs from the over.

11:04 IST Cummins comes back into the attack, that one hit him on the helmet. Jadeja tries to play a pull shot but the ball hits him on the helmet. Another short delivery, Jadeja goes for the pull shot again and misses. FOUR! Jadeja pulls that one towards mid-wicket, he is not letting Cummins dominate. SIX! Jadeja is on a roll, Australians do not know what has hit them, he is having a ball today. Change of plans from Australia as they change the field and bringing Cummins round the wicket, Jadeja shoulders arms and lets it go. The next ball was into the stumps, Jadeja plays it with a straight bat, 10 runs from the over.

Wade and Jadeja had an argument in the previous over, this quarrel is just going on and on! 

10:59 IST Jadeja on strike, Maxwell comes into the attack. He plays the first two carefully and takes a single off the third delivery. Saha on strike, he too takes a single off the second delivery off a pick-up sweep shot. Jadeja takes another single, three runs from the over.

Jadeja gets to his fifty and India take a lead, the hosts are in the driver’s seat at Dharamsala! 

10:56 IST Lyon continues, Jadeja on strike, he makes room for himself and plays the ball towards mid-on but it’s deflected by the fielder, takes a single towards long-off. Saha on strike, he takes a single gets Jadeja back on strike. He plays the next one defensively. A couple of runs on the next delivery, India take a lead! One more single for Jadeja and here’s some talwaarbazi we were looking for! Wade has got his answer for sledging him

10:52 IST Saha on strike, Hazlewood continues, he glances the first one for a single. Jadeja on strike, just 4 runs short of Australia’s first innings score. Jadeja watches the ball closely as it went into Wade’s gloves. He plays the next one towards mid-wicket, takes a single. Saha is back on strike, bouncer! Saha does it well to duck that one, Hazlewood tries to use trash talk to get under Saha’s skin, he clearly looks frustrated, not getting any wickets. Saha frustrates him more, plays that one towards offside, no run. Saha is still standing outside the crease, a huge lbw shout! the Umpire says no. Smith opts for DRS but the replay shows clear inside edge, another review wasted.

10:46 IST Jadeja on strike, Lyon continues, he watches the ball closely go into Wade’s hands, no run. He takes a single towards point, brings Saha on strike. Saha plays it with soft hands towards backward square leg, takes a single. Inside edge off the bat of Jadeja, he takes a single towards on side. Extra bounce again to Saha, he does well to keep it down. Saha sweeps the last delivery for a single, 4 runs from the over.

10:43 IST Hazlewood continues, Jadeja on strike, he is bowling from round the wicket. Jadeja takes a single towards square on the second ball. Saha on strike, he shoulders arms again, the deficit is now in single digit, just 9 runs of trail left. Meanwhile, Pujara is smiling in dressing room seeing his mate perform. Next ball, a short ball, he pulls off the shot at last moment, a half-hearted attempt from him. Next one was defended with a straight bat, more like Steven Smith, no run. Another dot delivery despite Saha coming down the wicket trying to find the gap.

10:39 IST Lyon continues, he is coming over the wicket. Jadeja on strike, he blocks the first one on front foot. Lyon comes round the wicket again, Jadeja comes forward and blocks that one too. Jadeja played the next one towards the third man with soft hands, another boundary for him, just 11 runs of deficit left. Jadeja blocks the next one on front foot, no run. He gets on back foot and plays the short delivery behind point for a single. Saha on strike, he plays a dot, 5 runs from the over.

Drinks Break! India trail by 15 runs.

10:31 IST Hazlewood continues, Saha on strike, the dropped catch from Day 2 haunting them. Saha is being cautious against Hazlewood as there are three slips for him. He would not go fishing outside the off stump. A bouncer too from Hazlewood as Saha ducks it. He does it again and same result from Saha, the runs have dried up from previous two overs. A maiden over from Hazlewood as the Umpire calls for drinks!

The technical issue is sorted, DRS is back in play! 

10:37 IST Wade is trying to unsettle Jadeja with his trash talks behind the wickets. His words were, “Careful with that sword there and you don’t deserve to play anyway”. This is not cool at all from Australians trying trash talks when their bowling is not working in their favour. Jadeja gets on strike after Saha takes a single. Jadeja plays out the rest of the over, unmoved from Wade’s useless remarks.

10:23 IST Hazlewood replaces Cummins, that one hit Jadeja’s pads, inswinger from him. A huge Lbw shout! no reviews left for Australians, the replay shows that the ball was pitched outside leg stump line. He is trying to put pressure on Jadeja. FOUR! perfect answer from the left-hander as he cuts the ball for a boundary. Hazlewood comes round the wicket, missed by a whisker, Jadeja was dubmfounded there as extra bounce came into play. Next ball, a perfect defense from him this time followed by another dot delivery, just four runs from the over.

10:17 IST Lyon continues, Jadeja on strike, he pushes the ball towards covers and takes a single. Ohh! that one turned, hitting Saha on the pads, no run. Lyon appeals again, Saha is lucky as this one did not take an inside edge of the bat. Lyon is creating problems for Saha as Australian fielders show their support saying, ‘Nice Gary’. Just a single from the over.

10:12 IST Cummins continues, this one turned out to be a good over for India. Saha rotates strike on the third ball after reaching 1,000 Test runs. Jadeja hits a beautiful cover drive, Maxwell cuts it out but takes three runs before he returns the ball to the wicketkeeper. Bouncer! trying to push Saha on the back foot. FOUR! Lucky for Saha as the edge carries past gully and runs away towards the boundary, 10 runs from the over, trail is just 21 runs now!  

10:10 IST Saha takes a couple of runs and gets to 1,000 Test runs!

10:07 IST Nathan Lyon into the attack, Saha on strike. He takes a single straightaway pushing the ball towards long-on. Two more singles to follow as Jadeja-Saha look to rotate strike. Two dot deliveries to follow as Jadeja looks to get off strike. SIX! Jadeja is at it again, hits a mighty blow over the long-on boundary! Jadeja has hit three sixes now.

10:04 IST Cummins continues, another bouncer, this one was well aimed, Jadeja takes up the challenge and leaves it. Lbw appeal! that one was hitting the middle stump, only question is whether it was pitched on leg stump or not. No DRS avaialable for Australia. Cummins is bowling beautifully and challenging Jadeja. He too is batting with an intent to stay at the crease. A maiden over from Cummins as he kept the pressure on Jadeja.

9:59 IST Hazlewood continues, Jadeja on strike, another short ball from him, he lets it go to Wade lifting his arms and shuffling across the crease. He plays the next one towards point, pushes hard and takes a couple of runs, good running from the two batsmen. Jadeja has been warned for running on the wicket. Next ball, he gets on front foot and plays it with a straight bat, no run.

Another dot delivery as Jadeja defends it, he looks good today, India trail by 41 runs. Another bouncer and another duck from Jadeja, he is not willing to go after them, playing the new hard ball cautiously. Lbw appeal from Hazlewood, Jadeja picks up a single, leg byes!

9:54 IST Cummins continues, Saha on strike, he bowls the first ball to Saha today. Starts off with an outswinger, he could not time it, no run. Next ball, another one mistimed by Saha,  no run. Bouncer! Saha is not interested, he ducks that one as well! Saha plays the next one towards backward point, good running from Saha-Jadeja as they pick up a couple of runs. Ooh! Saha was beaten outside offstump line again, he would have to be more careful than that. He defends the next ball towards off side, no run.

9:49 IST Hazlewood continues, Saha on strike. He lets the ball go to Wade, no run. Next one, pushed straight to short covers, no run. Bouncer, but again off target and way down the leg side, Saha ducks it away. The next one was drifting towards pads, Saha takes a single towards fine leg, the Umpire signals leg byes. Jadeja on strike, he plays that one with the straight bat, no run. He pushes the next one towards mid-on where the fielder puts in a dive and saves it from boundary, just a single from the over.

9:44 IST Cummins continues, Jadeja on strike. Whoa! Wonderful shot from Jadeja as he hits the ball straight past Cummins for four, he gives a fitting reply to him for the previous maiden over. Next ball, a short one, Jadeja was expecting it, plays it down, no run. The next one hits him on the pads, Cummins is bowling with lethal pace.

This one was pitched in the line of middle stump, Jadeja plays it on the on side, no run. India still trail by 46 runs. Another short delivery, Jadeja pulls off the shot at last moment. Another beauty of delivery, goes straight to Wade, just 4 runs from the over.

9:40 IST Hazlewood from other end, Saha on strike. The first ball was pitched outside the line of off stump, Saha lets it go. First runs of the Day 3 as Saha drives the second ball towards cover for a couple of runs, 250 up for India! Saha was beaten on the next delivery, he will have to be careful now. Next ball is an outswinger, Saha is happy to let that go to Wade. A bouncer from Hazlewood but off target, Saha lets it go. One more dot ball to end the over,  just 2 runs from it.

10:35 IST Cummins is creating problems for Jadeja, he is bowling the right lines as Jadeja is not able to get bat on ball for the first four deliveries. Jadeja is getting late on the ball, he has got bat on one ball and that one was an inside edge. He finally gets the ball in the middle of the bat but straight to mid-wicket. A maiden over for Cummins.

9:31 IST First ball, Cummins appeals for caught behind, the Umpire raises his finger! Jadeja reviews it straightaway. The Umpire had to reverse the decision as there was nothing there!

9:30 Pat Cummins to start the proceedings, Jadeja on strike!

9:27 IST Nathan Lyon’s spell will be crucial today, he has taken 4 wickets already and has bounced back in the series after his Bengaluru 8-wicket haul.

9:18 IST Ravi Shastri predicts Ravindra Jadeja would hit 2 more sixes on Day 3. India need a batsman who can attack the Australian bowlers upfront and get them under pressure. Will we see some talwaarbazi today? Stay tuned and find out!

Welcome to inUth’s digital coverage of the virtual final at Dharamsala. Once again, the 4th Test is nicely poised between India and Australia, much like what has been the story throughout Border-Gavaskar Trophy. India have 4 wickets in hand and a mammoth task ahead of them as they look to take a substantial lead in the first innings. Ravindra Jadeja is batting on 16 whereas Wriddhiman Saha is batting on 10 with India still trailing by 52 runs.

The Day 2 was once again an example that when you play yourself in on a wicket at Dharamsala, you have to make it count by turning up a few gears and scoring at a brisk rate. KL Rahul once again scored a half-century, his fifth in the tournament as he broke Gautam Gambhir’s 8-year-old record. But, he missed out on another chance of scoring a century in this series.

Cheteshwar Pujara too could only complete half marathon today as he got out after scoring 57. Rahul-Pujara needed to up the tempo when they were well set after surviving the first session with the new ball doing it’s bit. Nathan Lyon helped his team make a comeback as he picked up 4 wickets. Lyon will be more lethal on Day 3 as he would be looking for a breakthrough and then mop up the tail quickly.

On the other hand, Jadeja-Saha would have to attack after surviving first session in order to take a lead and put pressure on the Aussies in the decider game. Both the batsmen scored big in previous game, that’s why hopes are high from them when they come out to bat.

Pitch Report:
As Lyon said, the Dharamsala wicket is much like the Bengaluru wicket where India won by 75 runs. But, this wicket is helping the fast bowlers. One can try and extract bounce from the pitch which will help them enforce edges in catching position. Day 3’s performance will be crucial for both the teams as it will clear the air on where the decider Test leaning to. The pitch is expected to deteriorate at the end of Day’s play.

Playing XI India: Lokesh Rahul, Murali Vijay, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane(c), Karun Nair, Ravichandran Ashwin, Wriddhiman Saha(wk), Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Bhuvneshwar Kumar, Umesh Yadav

Playing XI Australia: Matt Renshaw, David Warner, Steven Smith(c), Shaun Marsh, Peter Handscomb, Glenn Maxwell, Matthew Wade(wk), Pat Cummins, Steve O’Keefe, Nathan Lyon, Josh Hazlewood

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