AUS vs IND: 2nd Test – India on top after commanding bowling on Day 3
India have strengthened their hold on the ongoing second Test against Australia at the Melbourne Cricket Ground. On the third morning, they extended their first-innings lead to 131 before getting bundled out for 326. The visitors lost their last five wickets for just 49 runs and must have regretted not scoring more than 350.
However, India more than made up with the ball as Australia kept losing wickets at regular intervals. They suffered a mini-collapse as well to be reduced from 98/3 to 99/6 which firmly pushed them back in the game. Australia ended the day on 133/6 with a lead of only two runs and will be hoping to extend the lead somehow on the fourth day.
Here are the talking points of the day:
1. Ajinkya Rahane’s run-out
Jadeja goes for the quick single to get to his 50…
But Rahane is run out by the barest of margins! #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/Re2QUGpVcO
— 7Cricket (@7Cricket) December 28, 2020
A trend of captains getting run-out has started it seems. If it was Virat Kohli in Adelaide, Ajinkya Rahane was found a millimetre short of his crease on the third day while stealing a single. Ravindra Jadeja pushed the ball to the mid-wicket region and set off for a single. But Labuschagne got to the ball quickly and Paine disturbed the stumps just in time to catch Rahane short. He scored 112 runs and stitched a crucial 121-run partnership with Jadeja. Meanwhile, another captain, Mohammad Rizwan (Pakistan skipper), also got run-out at the Bay Oval in New Zealand after scoring an impressive 71.
2. Paine’s dismissal
Tim Paine’s dismissal, like the first innings, was controversial yet again. The only difference was, India benefited this time. One of Ravindra Jadeja’s deliveries bounced more even as Paine missed out on playing a cut shot. Pant gathered the ball and a vociferous appeal followed. The umpire didn’t raise his finger but Rahane was quick to opt for DRS.
Paine was originally given not out, but after a review he’s on his way #AUSvIND pic.twitter.com/xpzAYtBM61
— cricket.com.au (@cricketcomau) December 28, 2020
In replays, the hotspot didn’t show any mark on the bat but Snickometer picked a sound exactly when the ball passed the bat. The third umpire deemed it enough to overturn the on-field decision and gave it out. But Paine was evidently disappointed as he was adamant that he didn’t nick it. His dismissal once again caused furore as experts and commentators debated the concept of DRS.
3. India’s exceptional bowling
In Ishant and Shami’s absence, India’s bowling attack has stood up and how! The likes of Mohammed Siraj and Umesh Yadav have stepped up big time with their controlled bowling. Bumrah and Ashwin were excellent yet again, with the former claiming the big fish – Steve Smith, whose poor run of form continued. Yadav got injured after picking Burns’ wicket but there was relentless pressure on Australia and none of the other bowlers leaked runs. Jadeja also came in handy as he scalped a couple of important wickets. They will be hoping to wrap Australia’s tail on the fourth morning soon.
