IND vs AUS: 4th Test, Day 3 – Talking Points
Rohit Sharma-led team India drew the curtains on Day 3 with a score of 289/3 and are trailing by 191 runs. After concluding the second day’s play with 36 runs on the board, the openers- Rohit Sharma and Shubman Gill raised a fifty-run partnership with 74 runs between them on Day 3. However, the steady partnership was cut by Matthew Kuhnemann, as he sent the skipper packing for 35 runs off 58 balls.
Despite the skipper’s dismissal, Gill played his natural game with finesse and carved out a majestic ton. He was also aided by Cheteshwar Pujara, who came at number three and got the vital runs to keep the scoreboard ticking. Team India clawed their way back into the contest thanks to a stunning partnership put up by the duo.
Pujara and Gill got 113 runs between them before the former headed back to the dugout. However, Gill continued to play his fine innings and steered the side closer to the first innings total set by the tourists. He further raised another vital partnership with Virat Kohli of 58 runs.
In the third session, veteran spinner Nathan Lyon trapped Gill (128 runs) lbw. With Kohli (59 runs) and Ravindra Jadeja (16 runs) still at the crease, team India will eye to close in on the deficit when Day 4 kickstarts.
Here are some of the talking points from the game:
Shubman Gill attains impressive milestone with second Test ton
India regained momentum in the contest after Rohit Sharma’s dismissal. The batter put up a scintillating knock and got his name registered in the record books. Scoring his second ton in Test essentially meant that he became the fourth Indian to register a century across the three formats in a year. The flamboyant right-hander scored his century in 194 balls, which included scoring 10 boundaries and one maximum.
Gill-Pujara raise century stand
Pujara, who came in at number three, took the onus to keep the scoreboard ticking and frustrate the rival side with his game. Adding to this, he raised an important 113-run in 248 balls to help India get back in the contest and close in on Australia’s first innings total. Pujara contributed 42 runs while Gill got 64 runs in their 113-run partnership.
Spinners strike thrice on Day 3
The Indian batting unit undoubtedly put up a tough fight on Day 3 courtesy of Gill’s century and the vital partnership with Pujara. However, the Aussies struck three important blows all thanks to the spinners as they sent the big sharks back to the dugout. While Matthew Kuhnemann got skipper Rohit, Todd Murphy trapped Pujara, concluded by Nathan Lyon striking the final blow of the day as he got centurion Gill’s scalp.
