Australia kept control of the second Test match against India in Bangalore at the end of the day two following a hard grind that saw them score just 197 runs from their 90 overs. Follow the live scores and blog of day three of this second Test between India and Australia from 3pm (AEDT) here on The Roar.
Resuming at 0/40 this morning, the visitors quickly lost their first wicket as David Warner was dismissed by Ravichandran Ashwin. It was the eighth time in his career that Warner was dismissed by the off-spinner.
Ravindra Jadeja got into the act soon afterwards when he dismissed skipper Steve Smith in single digits. Smith had been struggling to get on top of India’s bowlers as he scored just eight runs in 51 deliveries before being caught by Wriddhiman Saha as the ball looped up off his pad.
A gritty 60 off the bat of Matt Renshaw ensured he had played more than his part before he too was removed by Jadeja. Renshaw went down the track looking to hit one over the top, only to try and pad it away at the last moment. He missed and Saha made no mistakes behind the stumps.
An under-pressure Shaun Marsh turned the tide of criticism with a gutsy knock of 66 runs on Sunday.
Marsh had some luck going his way but by the time he was done in by Umesh Yadav in the final session he had done what was expected. On a tough surface, his knock of 66 was worth its weight in gold.
Prior to his dismissal, India had removed Peter Handscomb and Mitchell Marsh through Jadeja and Ishant Sharma respectively.
Australia finished the day at 6/237, leading India by 48 runs.
Another 60 odd runs from here on and India will be looking at a very stiff third innings showing to come back into the game. Anything more and the game and the series is as good as gone for the hosts.
The important thing from Australia’s point of view was that, despite the nature of the pitch, they showed enough resilience against four good bowlers. Will India be able to do the same when it is their turn after three below-par showings with the bat in this series?
Follow the live scores and blog of the third day of this second Test between India and Australia from 3pm (AEDT) here on The Roar.
Rob
Guest
Everyone get on board for a draw as it is going to pour!!!! $6.50 per $1 for sure.
Rats
Guest
Great day of Test cricket... Poor decision by the on-field umpire of Kohli. You don't normally see those given out, historically. Third umpire did the right thing. No conclusive evidence to over-turn on field umpire's decision. Perhaps hot spot might have helped Kohli. But then again, Indian's have only got themselves to blame for home production deciding to not use hot spot for the series. DRS is great. Always been a great fan of it. But ICC should seriously look into deteriorating performance of on-field umpires.
brent elms
Guest
australia are up against it now, finally india showing their character , i thought anything over 150 will be impossible but india are on track to get 200+ here. unless india collapse quicky in the morning only some bad weather and gritty batting can save us.
brett hayes
Guest
pitch will be a spitting cobra once india come out to bowl on day 4 afternoon with a 200+ lead. match is as good as gone now.
peter chrisp
Guest
Ozib totally agree not conclusive but excellent none the less, they could take their time and grind us into the ground quite easily they could easily score 350? It will be interesting to see how quick the Aussie's can pick up the remaining wickets, as in the first innings with Lyon on fire the tables have been turned and it seems to be a more batting friendlier wicket. They could take their time and bat all day? If India get a lead as suggested by Ozib of over 200 or more it will be very difficult for sure
Anindya Dutta
Roar Guru
Indians have a new name for DRS - Dirty Rotten Scoundrels... ok ok I just made that one up! But that must be how Kohli feels about all the lousy DRS calls he made listening to ashwin ?
Ozibatla
Guest
Not a conclusive win for India today but a win for them nonetheless. If Australia dont strike in the first hour or so and the lead gets above 170 with these two still in, it could well be curtains im afraid. Chasing 220-250 in India is historically very difficult.
dave
Guest
India look to set a descent run chase.What concerns me is the only Aussie player I have any confidence in right now is a twenty year old playing his first series in India. Warner and Smith might score big and win the game for us or they might fall cheaply. Cmon Renshaw this is your test/series to win.But no pressure young fella.
Beauty of a geek Brains of a bimbo
Guest
Pune wicket received a poor rating from icc.this one shud as well.ball started keeping low since day 1
Rock
Guest
Pretty even I reckon, It'll all boil down to tomorrow's morning session. If Aus get these 2 early I doubt India's tale will put up much fight. And you'd have to be confident we can get anything around that 170 mark. But if these 2 continue, game over Australia.
Tanmoy Kar
Guest
The pitch has eased-up a lot in the Final session, also Pujara and Rahane batted well to stop any slump.
Nudge
Guest
Just one of those hero posts
Nudge
Guest
Good stuff Suneer
Worlds Biggest
Guest
Big day for India, definitely in the Box seat now. 126 ahead going into day 4 is a great lead. Thanks for a top job Suneer ?.
Graham
Guest
batting looks easy I guess we will see if the pitch is flattening or if that was just bad bowling/good batting
Matth
Guest
Aw shucks, India have turned up! Excellent partnership from these two. Not sure if the pitch has flattened out a bit or bowlers got tired, or the batting was just very, very good. India on the front foot now.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
India end the day at 4/213 from their 72 overs. Their lead has ballooned up to 126, which is still some way off from being a challenging one but at least it's a lot better than what they thought they would get. The pitch seems to have improved for the batsmen too. Not as many are gripping and turning a mile, or even bouncing disconcertingly, and after some initial fortune, Pujara's unbeaten 79 seems to have done India a huge favour. Rahane is batting on 40 with the fifth wicket stand of 93 - highest of the Test match by any pair. No wickets lost in the session either, which is good going. India will want to bat to at least the lunch break tomorrow, add those 70-80 runs to get them to challenging score they so need. Will be back tomorrow for what will be the fourth day of the Bengaluru Test. Have a good evening ahead.
Ronan O'Connell
Expert
Another fantastic day of cricket. This match is beautifully poised. India on top but Australia aren't out of it yet. Bring on day four!
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Last over of the day and it's Mitchell Starc... ...edged and goes for a four! Angling in from round the stumps and it could have seamed away a tad. The edge doesn't carry. Defends the second and Smith has brought in a short second slip, with a helmet. Saw Joe Root do that, wearing a helmet in the slips earlier on their tour. Pujara pushes the third to the leg-side before shouldering arms to the next one. On his pads, the next one and gets clipped away for a single. And Rahane pushes the last ball of the day to third-man for a single.
Suneer Chowdhary
Roar Guru
Well bowled, SOK. Turned away and has Rahane fishing at it. Beaten. Maiden from the left-arm spinner. 4/208 in 71, lead's 121.